2008 Woodie Awards
Drought lingers despite recent rain
SHANESSA FAKOUR For The Red & Black
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
April showers bring May flowers, but recent moisture may not be enough water to ease the state's drought level.
The University is at a state level four drought response, said associate vice president of the University's physical plant Ralph Johnson.
A level four drought response prohibits most outdoor residential water use, according to a news release issued by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
However, Legion Pool will be opened on May 22, according to Tate Center officials.
The state may offer exemptions for commercial use, the release states.
The University is still under significant water restrictions following Gov. Sonny Perdue's executive order issued Oct. 24, 2007, Johnson said.
"Last spring we had not gone into level four," Johnson said. "We knew we were going into a drought condition and cut back on water consumption. We had a little more latitude … for irrigation … that's why the fountains were running."
The University's fountains are not permitted to run this spring or summer.
Athens-Clarke County is at a state level four drought response and the Upper Oconee Basin is at level three drought response, said Gary Duck, director of public utilities.
ACC is one of four counties that are affected by the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, which elected to deal with the drought with a level three response. But, ACC must follow the most restrictive stage - level four - Duck said.
Both categories authorize exemptions for local outdoor water use restrictions, according to the ACC Web site.
An order to include these exemptions was signed by ACC Mayor Heidi Davison.
The county has met the 10 percent water reduction rate imposed by Perdue every month, Duck said.
The University is at a state level four drought response, said associate vice president of the University's physical plant Ralph Johnson.
A level four drought response prohibits most outdoor residential water use, according to a news release issued by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
However, Legion Pool will be opened on May 22, according to Tate Center officials.
The state may offer exemptions for commercial use, the release states.
The University is still under significant water restrictions following Gov. Sonny Perdue's executive order issued Oct. 24, 2007, Johnson said.
"Last spring we had not gone into level four," Johnson said. "We knew we were going into a drought condition and cut back on water consumption. We had a little more latitude … for irrigation … that's why the fountains were running."
The University's fountains are not permitted to run this spring or summer.
Athens-Clarke County is at a state level four drought response and the Upper Oconee Basin is at level three drought response, said Gary Duck, director of public utilities.
ACC is one of four counties that are affected by the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, which elected to deal with the drought with a level three response. But, ACC must follow the most restrictive stage - level four - Duck said.
Both categories authorize exemptions for local outdoor water use restrictions, according to the ACC Web site.
An order to include these exemptions was signed by ACC Mayor Heidi Davison.
The county has met the 10 percent water reduction rate imposed by Perdue every month, Duck said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Mark Henderson
posted 4/08/08 @ 2:18 PM EST
Droughts are unfortunate. Home owners who are turning off garden fountains should remember to turn off their fountain pumps before unplugging the fountain. (Continued…)
water fountains
posted 4/13/08 @ 8:48 PM EST
A great article. It's good to see that you're taking drought precautions.
Post a Comment