GEORGIA EPD DECLARES LEVEL TWO DROUGHT STATEWIDE
The director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has
declared a level two drought response across the state and will require all
Georgians to follow a more stringent outdoor water use schedule.
"Every area of Georgia has been in a persistent and progressive drought
condition since last June," said EPD Director Carol A. Couch. "It's important
that we take steps now to prepare for the warm, typically dry summer months."
The drought declaration was made following a meeting today of the State
Drought Response Committee. The Committee includes representatives from
several state, federal and local agencies, including ACCG, as well as
universities and non-government organizations. The EPD Director, working with
State Climatologist David Stooksbury, consults with the Committee members and
then determines whether a drought response declaration is appropriate.
"March was very dry, and it's historically a very wet month in Georgia,"
said State Climatologist Stooksbury. "That's one of the reasons we're in
trouble now."
The level two drought was declared for all of Georgia. EPD Director Couch
said drought conditions will continue to be monitored and she will confer with
the Drought Response Committee again in a month. Revised drought response
declarations will be issued as necessary.
A level two drought response declaration limits outdoor water use to
mornings only. The new outdoor watering schedules statewide are as follows:
? Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays-12 midnight to 10 a.m.
? Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Saturdays-12 midnight to 10 a.m.
The level two outdoor watering schedule replaces the level one drought
schedule, which had been in place for the past year. The level one drought
schedule was as follows:
Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays-12 midnight
to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 12 midnight.
Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Saturdays-12 midnight to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 12 midnight.
The level two outdoor watering schedules are effective immediately. Local
governments and water utilities may impose more stringent watering schedules.
Citizens are encouraged to contact their local water providers for more
specific guidance.
? More information about the outdoor water use schedules can be found on
the EPD web site at www.gaepd.org.
? To learn more about water conservation, please go to the EPD Water
Conservation web site at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
? Detailed information on the drought can be found at
www.georgiadrought.org.
Contact: Kevin Chambers, EPD
(404) 651-7970
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