State drought committee meets today

As Georgia continues to wrestle with dry conditions affecting water supplies, the state drought response committee meets today. Officials may recommend tighter watering restrictions--possibly a total outdoor watering ban for Georgia. One move has already been made this week as officials announced there will be a reduction in water being released downstream to Alabama by one-third. Lake Allatoona here in Georgia is dropping about a foot a week in its level.

Statewide water ban a possibility

A water ban could soon cover all of Georgia. State environmental officials plan to meet Friday on the issue. Right now the only statewide water restrictions limit lawn watering to three days a week. Eight counties have imposed total outdoor water bans. The Gwinnett Daily Post reports that yesterday the Director of the state Environmental Protection Division Carol Couch said low water levels at Georgia’s major reservoirs means she wants to consider tougher statewide water restrictions.

Two more Georgia counties ban all watering

The list of Georgia counties that have now enacted total outdoor watering bans has grown by two. Officials in Cobb and Paulding counties have announced the new restrictions-—no outdoor watering anytime, anywhere. Cobb officials say they are being proactive in taking steps now to preserve water supply for future use. Similar total watering bans are in place in Jackson, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Douglas, and Carroll counties.

The drought is severely affecting two lakes in north Georgia. Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County north of Atlanta is more than 12 feet below its normal level. Lake Lanier in the Gainesville-area is getting to a point that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates it may reach low levels not seen since the 1950’s.

Another watering ban

A northeast Georgia county is the latest to ban outdoor watering. Barrow County west of Athens says its reservoir is five feet below normal. Beer Creek reservoir also serves Athens-Clarke, Oconee and Jackson counties. The Athens area is nearly 16 inches below average rainfall for the year.

Harris County watering ban tapped out

Harris County has rescinded a ban on all outdoor watering.

However, Karen Mathis, an employee at the water works told GPB News that some restrictions were still in effect. Watering is permitted:

• Mondays and Wednesdays from midnight to 10 a.m.: even-numbered addresses
  
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from midnight to 10 a.m.: odd-numbered addresses
  
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: all outdoor watering is prohibited
  

The ban was instituted in May, due to extreme drought conditions. Mathis said the heavy rains that swept through the area in recent days replenished water sources, allowed officials to partially lift the ban.

For more information: Water Department: 706-324-1175.