Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and some other state officials are considering a plan that would ease outdoor watering restrictions in Georgia.
The proposal would allow homeowners to water their lawns and gardens at certain times, after successful completion of a short online water conservation course. Landscape professionals could also take a similar course, which could lead to limited irrigation.
But the state’s climatologist in his latest drought update says officials might need to consider even tougher restrictions as summer approaches, not a rollback. David Stooksbury says an "exceptional" designation remains for areas west and north of the Chattahoochee River.
Since late September, 61 north Georgia counties have been under an outdoor watering ban. It prohibits all outdoor water use, including filling swimming pools and washing cars. Lake Lanier, which feeds drinking water to more than three million people in the region, has hit record-low levels since November.
The proposal would allow homeowners to water their lawns and gardens at certain times, after successful completion of a short online water conservation course. Landscape professionals could also take a similar course, which could lead to limited irrigation.
But the state’s climatologist in his latest drought update says officials might need to consider even tougher restrictions as summer approaches, not a rollback. David Stooksbury says an "exceptional" designation remains for areas west and north of the Chattahoochee River.
Since late September, 61 north Georgia counties have been under an outdoor watering ban. It prohibits all outdoor water use, including filling swimming pools and washing cars. Lake Lanier, which feeds drinking water to more than three million people in the region, has hit record-low levels since November.
