Georgia Governor, EPD Ease Outdoor Water Use Schedules
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Joel Paz
Jun 11, 2009, 9:48:40 AM6/11/09
to Georgia Weather
Official announcement from the Governor's Office
http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_78013037_143196762,00.html
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Georgia Governor, EPD Ease Outdoor Water Use Schedules
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
ATLANTA – Governor Perdue announced today that due to significant
rainfall and improved water supplies the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division (EPD) has issued a non-drought schedule for
outdoor water use for the first time since June 2006.
“Georgians have seen the most severe drought on record, and have
proven their ability to conserve and manage our state’s most precious
resource,” said Governor Perdue “We have become more educated about
water conservation, and have taken significant steps towards ensuring
a long term solution. I believe Georgians will continue to use our
water resources wisely under this new outdoor watering schedule.”
Under a non-drought schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days
a week on assigned days using odd and even-numbered addresses. Odd-
numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-
numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Saturdays. Water use may occur at any time of the day
on the assigned days, however landscape watering is discouraged
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m because of its limited effectiveness.
The change in the state’s drought response was announced at a meeting
of the State Drought Response Committee. It is the first change since
May 2008 when 55 north Georgia counties were under a level four
drought response, which prohibits most types of outdoor water use.
Middle Georgia counties were assigned a level two response, which
limits water use to three days a week midnight to 10 a.m. South
Georgia counties, including the coastal region, followed a level one
drought response schedule, which allows watering three days a week
midnight to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight.
Overall, north Georgians averaged monthly water savings of about 15
percent since November 2007. These reductions come from citizens and
Georgia businesses implementing a variety of conservation measures,
including waterSmart landscape principles and selecting more efficient
indoor fixtures and devices. Georgia’s collective vision for water
efficiency is presented in the recently released Water Conservation
Implementation Plan (WCIP). Through the goals and practices identified
in that plan we can expect to continue to progress toward greater long-
term water efficiency. To get more information on waterSmart landscape
principles and the Georgia WCIP, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
“We have just lived through one of the worst droughts in Georgia
history, and citizens should be applauded for the great job they have
done conserving water,” said Carol A. Couch, EPD Director. “The
decision to ease outdoor watering restrictions should not be seen as a
license to waste water, but as a vote of confidence in Georgians
ability to conserve and use water efficiently.”
Large water systems and local governments producing more than 100,000
gallons of water per day in the former level four drought response
area must continue to file monthly water use reports. Should water
supplies drop and drought conditions reappear, steps will be taken
quickly to toughen water use schedules again.
Today, Governor Perdue also announced the use of a new drip irrigation
system at the Governor’s Mansion. The Georgia Green Industry
Association (GGIA) and its members partnered with the Governor and
mansion staff to landscape the front portion of the Governor’s
Mansion. During discussions regarding the efficiencies of drip
irrigation, the idea arose to demonstrate the efficient irrigation and
best management practices in the landscape. Governor Perdue has been a
staunch supporter of the green industry during Georgia’s historic
drought and has always been a proponent of water conservation. The
mansion grounds proved the perfect stage to demonstrate that not only
was it okay to plant again in Georgia but that sustainable landscape
projects don’t have to use a lot of water.
“The Governor’s Mansion is now a showplace for water conservation,”
said Governor Perdue. “The garden will be a lasting testament to the
environmental benefits and beauty that a properly designed and
efficient landscape can bring to all Georgians.”
The green industry in Georgia is a leading segment of agriculture.
Prior to the drought, economic impact of the industry was estimated to
be in excess of $8 billion annually with over 75,000 Georgians
employed by nursery growers, landscape firms, garden centers,
greenhouse operators, irrigation contractors and allied suppliers.
GGIA volunteered materials, labor and their expertise to make the
mansion project a full-blown success. Special attention was given to
water efficiency and sustainability. Every aspect of the project
served as a model for practices that would not only create a beautiful
landscape to showcase Georgia grown products, but would do so while
using minimal water resources.
http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_78013037_143196762,00.html
-------------
Georgia Governor, EPD Ease Outdoor Water Use Schedules
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
ATLANTA – Governor Perdue announced today that due to significant
rainfall and improved water supplies the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division (EPD) has issued a non-drought schedule for
outdoor water use for the first time since June 2006.
“Georgians have seen the most severe drought on record, and have
proven their ability to conserve and manage our state’s most precious
resource,” said Governor Perdue “We have become more educated about
water conservation, and have taken significant steps towards ensuring
a long term solution. I believe Georgians will continue to use our
water resources wisely under this new outdoor watering schedule.”
Under a non-drought schedule, outdoor water use is allowed three days
a week on assigned days using odd and even-numbered addresses. Odd-
numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-
numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Saturdays. Water use may occur at any time of the day
on the assigned days, however landscape watering is discouraged
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m because of its limited effectiveness.
The change in the state’s drought response was announced at a meeting
of the State Drought Response Committee. It is the first change since
May 2008 when 55 north Georgia counties were under a level four
drought response, which prohibits most types of outdoor water use.
Middle Georgia counties were assigned a level two response, which
limits water use to three days a week midnight to 10 a.m. South
Georgia counties, including the coastal region, followed a level one
drought response schedule, which allows watering three days a week
midnight to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight.
Overall, north Georgians averaged monthly water savings of about 15
percent since November 2007. These reductions come from citizens and
Georgia businesses implementing a variety of conservation measures,
including waterSmart landscape principles and selecting more efficient
indoor fixtures and devices. Georgia’s collective vision for water
efficiency is presented in the recently released Water Conservation
Implementation Plan (WCIP). Through the goals and practices identified
in that plan we can expect to continue to progress toward greater long-
term water efficiency. To get more information on waterSmart landscape
principles and the Georgia WCIP, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net.
“We have just lived through one of the worst droughts in Georgia
history, and citizens should be applauded for the great job they have
done conserving water,” said Carol A. Couch, EPD Director. “The
decision to ease outdoor watering restrictions should not be seen as a
license to waste water, but as a vote of confidence in Georgians
ability to conserve and use water efficiently.”
Large water systems and local governments producing more than 100,000
gallons of water per day in the former level four drought response
area must continue to file monthly water use reports. Should water
supplies drop and drought conditions reappear, steps will be taken
quickly to toughen water use schedules again.
Today, Governor Perdue also announced the use of a new drip irrigation
system at the Governor’s Mansion. The Georgia Green Industry
Association (GGIA) and its members partnered with the Governor and
mansion staff to landscape the front portion of the Governor’s
Mansion. During discussions regarding the efficiencies of drip
irrigation, the idea arose to demonstrate the efficient irrigation and
best management practices in the landscape. Governor Perdue has been a
staunch supporter of the green industry during Georgia’s historic
drought and has always been a proponent of water conservation. The
mansion grounds proved the perfect stage to demonstrate that not only
was it okay to plant again in Georgia but that sustainable landscape
projects don’t have to use a lot of water.
“The Governor’s Mansion is now a showplace for water conservation,”
said Governor Perdue. “The garden will be a lasting testament to the
environmental benefits and beauty that a properly designed and
efficient landscape can bring to all Georgians.”
The green industry in Georgia is a leading segment of agriculture.
Prior to the drought, economic impact of the industry was estimated to
be in excess of $8 billion annually with over 75,000 Georgians
employed by nursery growers, landscape firms, garden centers,
greenhouse operators, irrigation contractors and allied suppliers.
GGIA volunteered materials, labor and their expertise to make the
mansion project a full-blown success. Special attention was given to
water efficiency and sustainability. Every aspect of the project
served as a model for practices that would not only create a beautiful
landscape to showcase Georgia grown products, but would do so while
using minimal water resources.
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