Friday
21Sep
Cobb County Declares Drought
Today, the Cobb County -Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) declared a level four drought response across its service area, restricting all outdoor water usage. In a level four drought response, no outdoor water usage is allowed, other than for activities exempted by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
“We are currently in what may become a ‘drought of record,’” said Glenn Page, general manager of CCMWA. “It is important that we take steps now to preserve our water supply for future use.”
The drought declaration was made following consultation with the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority Board and state officials. After an extensive analysis of data regarding the current and projected drought conditions and lake levels at Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, the Authority determined that an immediate declaration of a level four drought response was necessary to ensure that the long term water needs of customers are met as well as to ensure adequate fire protection, public safety and health for the community. The current drought, as well as increased water releases by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, is expected to result in a draw down of Lake Allatoona to the winter pool lake elevation of 823 feet by October, instead of the normal December time frame.
“Lake Allatoona is projected to approach historically low levels” said Page. “That’s the major reason we have to act decisively now.”
A level two drought response was declared for all of Georgia in April of this year by State EPD Director Dr. Carol Couch. However, local governments and water utilities and authorities may impose more stringent water schedules due to local conditions. Many Georgians currently reside in areas under level four drought response.
A level four drought response prohibits all outdoor water usage, other than for activities exempted by the State EPD or as the State EPD director may order. The level four drought response outdoor water use schedule replaces the level two drought response schedule which had been in place in the Cobb-County Marietta Water Authority service area. The level four drought response outdoor water use schedule is effective immediately. “It is expected that we will be operating under level four drought response until the lake levels and precipitation significantly improve over a period of time” said Page.
Under the declaration:
Watering of newly installed landscape by homeowners is prohibited in Drought Response Level 4. For new landscape installed prior to the Drought Response Level 4 declaration the homeowner may complete their 30 watering days between the hours of midnight and 10 AM. Proof of landscape purchase prior to the declaration date is required.
Watering of new landscape installed by certified or licensed professionals may be watered for 30 days.
Landscape and irrigation professionals are exempt from restrictions when on the property.
Homeowners must follow the hours of Midnight -10 AM.
Irrigation of personal food gardens is allowed.
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 www.watersmart.net. Detailed information on the drought can be found at www.georgiadrought.org
About the Cobb County – Marietta Water Authority
The Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority is the second largest provider of drinking water in Georgia. CCMWA provides treated drinking water on a wholesale basis to Cobb County, Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Paulding County, Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewerage Authority, Fulton County, Marietta, Austell, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Mountain Park, Woodstock, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Southern Polytechnic State University.
“We are currently in what may become a ‘drought of record,’” said Glenn Page, general manager of CCMWA. “It is important that we take steps now to preserve our water supply for future use.”
The drought declaration was made following consultation with the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority Board and state officials. After an extensive analysis of data regarding the current and projected drought conditions and lake levels at Lake Allatoona and Lake Lanier, the Authority determined that an immediate declaration of a level four drought response was necessary to ensure that the long term water needs of customers are met as well as to ensure adequate fire protection, public safety and health for the community. The current drought, as well as increased water releases by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, is expected to result in a draw down of Lake Allatoona to the winter pool lake elevation of 823 feet by October, instead of the normal December time frame.
“Lake Allatoona is projected to approach historically low levels” said Page. “That’s the major reason we have to act decisively now.”
A level two drought response was declared for all of Georgia in April of this year by State EPD Director Dr. Carol Couch. However, local governments and water utilities and authorities may impose more stringent water schedules due to local conditions. Many Georgians currently reside in areas under level four drought response.
A level four drought response prohibits all outdoor water usage, other than for activities exempted by the State EPD or as the State EPD director may order. The level four drought response outdoor water use schedule replaces the level two drought response schedule which had been in place in the Cobb-County Marietta Water Authority service area. The level four drought response outdoor water use schedule is effective immediately. “It is expected that we will be operating under level four drought response until the lake levels and precipitation significantly improve over a period of time” said Page.
Under the declaration:
Watering of newly installed landscape by homeowners is prohibited in Drought Response Level 4. For new landscape installed prior to the Drought Response Level 4 declaration the homeowner may complete their 30 watering days between the hours of midnight and 10 AM. Proof of landscape purchase prior to the declaration date is required.
Watering of new landscape installed by certified or licensed professionals may be watered for 30 days.
Landscape and irrigation professionals are exempt from restrictions when on the property.
Homeowners must follow the hours of Midnight -10 AM.
Irrigation of personal food gardens is allowed.
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 www.watersmart.net. Detailed information on the drought can be found at www.georgiadrought.org
About the Cobb County – Marietta Water Authority
The Cobb County - Marietta Water Authority is the second largest provider of drinking water in Georgia. CCMWA provides treated drinking water on a wholesale basis to Cobb County, Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, Paulding County, Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewerage Authority, Fulton County, Marietta, Austell, Powder Springs, Smyrna, Mountain Park, Woodstock, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Southern Polytechnic State University.
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