Ongoing drought may mean re-tightening the faucet

Lake Allatoona, north of Atlanta: bridge over troubled waters (Dave Bender/file)

Environmental Protection Division chief Carol Couch, said Wednesday the state's deepening drought may force her to tighten a range of water restrictions loosened earlier this year.

Couch says she will evaluate water use in the state next month, and decide whether to impose new restrictions for the dozens of communities in north Georgia where some watering limits have been relaxed.

The announcement came as state climatologist David Stooksbury declared that soaring summer temperatures and light rainfall have plunged more of Georgia into drought conditions.

Couch has faced criticism from some environmentalists who say relaxing water restrictions during the drought could send conflicting messages about the state's water crisis and set the stage for tighter limits in the fall. But Couch is also under pressure from agriculture groups, who fear a new round of conservation measures could cripple their industry.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought, and it's effects on Georgia.

Dreary outlook for Georgia's drought

Today Georgia state climatologist Dr. David Stooksbury predicted a warmer and drier winter for the state. He also offered little hope drought-stricken water resources will fully recharge before next summer.

State Climatologist David Stooksbury says the exceptional drought gripping most of the state won't end anytime soon. Speaking with reporters at the University of Georgia, Stooksbury said odds are it will be a warmer than normal winter with below normal rainfall. He says, "The strength of a La Nina pattern, now forming in the Pacific will determine just how much or little rain falls in the southeast in the coming weeks."

Going into next summer, Stooksbury believes reservoirs, such as Lake Lanier won't be fully recharged over the winter remaining lower than normal with some recording all-time lows.