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Outdoor Watering Restrictions Still in Force | View article
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Atlanta, GA, USA
Even after the drought is over and the outdoor watering restrictions are lifted, ... Water-dependent businesses such as commercial car washes and ...

posted 03.31.09

Utilities: Water Aplenty; Let's Use It | View article
Online Athens - Athens, GA, USA
Now, only professional power-washing and car washing are legal. Davison said she supports allowing power-washing but not car washing. Many Athens car washes ...

posted 03.29.09

Water Levels Continue to Drop as Drought Stays Steady
Although scattered thunderstorms brought some relief to droughtparched Georgia during July, the relief was localized and short-lived, and drought conditions continue to intensify. The rains allowed plants to show some recovery but were not enough to halt dropping stream flows across most of the state. Many streams were at or near record-low flows for late July.

"Through October, Georgia's best chance for widespread drought relief will be tropical disturbances," according to Dr. David Stooksbury, state climatologist and professor of engineering and atmospheric sciences at UGA. "But the heart of the tropical storm season is still a few weeks away." He went on to say, "Exceptional drought has returned to northeast Georgia, and continuing dry weather has spread drought conditions to Southeast Georgia."

Exceptional drought conditions are now occurring north and east of a line from Wilkes to Oglethorpe to Clarke to Jackson to Hall to Lumpkin to Union counties, inclusive. The area encompasses 16 counties. During exceptional drought, many of the drought indicators are at levels seen only once in 50 to 100 years. "Exceptional" is considered the harshest drought category.

Locally, Dr. Stooksbury indicated that Lincoln County remains among the 13 North Georgia counties listed as experiencing extreme drought conditions. The other counties are Wilkes, Oconee, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Fannin, Gilmer, Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Barrow, and Walton. The climatologist further reported that severe drought conditions exist north and west of a line from Echols to Lanier to Berrien to Irwin to Ben Hill to Wilcox to Pulaski to Bleckley to Twiggs to Wilkinson to Washington to Jefferson to Burke counties, inclusive. This accounts for 96 of the 159 counties in Georgia.

In Southeast Georgia, moderate drought conditions are occurring in 16 counties, including Clinch, Coffee, Telfair, Dodge, Treutlen, Johnson, Emanuel, Jenkins, and Screven; whereas, 12 counties are experiencing mild drought conditions. Among these counties are Charlton, Toombs, Candler, Tattnall, Bulloch, Pierce, Wayne, and Effingham. In addition, the six counties of Coastal Georgia are classified as being abnormally dry.

Concerning stream flows, Dr. Stooksbury said, "Across Northeast and Southwest Georgia, almost all streams were at or near record-low flows for late July. "Many streams were below the 7Q10 level of flow — the seven refers to the seven-day stream flow; the 'Q' is quantity; and the 10 refers to 10 years," he explained. "Thus, the current 7Q10 level is the lowest consecutive seven-day stream flow expected to occur once in 10 years. "When stream flows fall below the 7Q10 value, there are concerns about environmental quality and a stream's health. It is very common for streamwithdrawal and discharge permits to be based on 7Q10."

The rivers in Northeast Georgia that were at record-low flows on July 24 were the Chattooga, the Tullulah, the Nottely, the Chattahoochee, and the Chestatee. "The Chattahoochee and Chestatee rivers are the main sources of water for Lake Lanier," said Dr. Stooksbury. "Lanier, Hartwell, and Clark's Hill reservoirs remained near or below record-low levels for late July." He also pointed out that the Broad River near Bell and the Little River near Washington were both below their 7Q10 values.

In other remarks, the climatologist stated, "Area lakes are becoming dangerous as the water levels drop. Unmarked obstructions are now nearer the surface and can cause damage to boats. "Additionally, unmarked drop-offs into deep water are appearing along the shoreline, increasing the danger for casual waders and swimmers."

Stooksbury likewise encouraged all boaters to exercise extreme caution as water levels drop. "Boating in the main lake channels between channel buoys decreases the danger but does not eliminate it. All boaters need to wear life jackets at all times when in an open-hull boat or when above deck." For more information about the drought at the state level, visit www.georgiadrought.org.

Concerning the availability of water in Lincoln County, Stanley Parton, water department superintendent for the City of Lincolnton, indicated that water production is up at the James Allen Reed Water Treatment Plant. "But things are running smoothly at this point." He went on to say that the city has three raw water intake valves at Soap Creek. They are set at 321 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl), 314 ft-msl, and 307 ft-msl. Since the lake level is currently at 317.3 ft-msl, the city is drawing water out of the lowest intake valve, which is now about six feet below the water line. Full pool at Clark's Hill Lake is 330 ft-msl.

In other items of information, Superintendent Parton reminded local residents that the city is operating under the Drought Response Level 4 Water Conservation Plan, which bans all outdoor watering. EPD exemptions include the irrigation of personal food gardens, power washing, sod producers, construction sites, retail garden centers, new landscapes installed by certified or licensed professionals, car washes, ornamental growers, and other activities essential to daily business. To obtain a list of all of the exemptions to the state mandate, contact City Hall at 706-359-3239.

In conjunction with water conservation efforts, Parton asked local residents to check the plumbing in their homes and businesses for leaks. "Over a three-month period, 18,500 gallons of water can pass through a hole the size of a pencil point. Likewise, a hole measuring 1/16 of an inch in diameter will result in the loss of 74,000 gallons of water over the same period of time. That's a lot of water and money."

Concerning the situation in the county, Roby Seymour, director of the Lincoln County Water Department, said, "We're doing fine, but if the water table continues to drop, we will start having problems." He further indicated that county water customers are also required to abide by the outdoor water use restrictions, imposed by the EPD. "I know it's dry and grass is dying, but I strongly urge all water customers to do as little outdoor watering as possible. At this point, water is more important than grass."

From The Lincoln Journal - August 7, 2008

Drought Conditions
A group of car wash distributers met on October 17, 2007, to discuss the pending crisis facing our industry in Georgia. Following this meeting, on October 23, 2007, sixty-eight people, consisting of car wash owners, operators, venders, and distributers met with guest speaker Bill Sartor, who has had experience dealing with drought conditions in his own city of San Antonio, Texas. Bill has also played an important role around the country as a drought condition resource. His message was clear, “Professional Car Washes need to lead the charge in water conservation.” His question to the group was, “What are you willing to do as car wash operators to help Georgia with its water problem?” Mr. Sartor explained in detail about the certification program that he helped develop in San Antonio, which has since been rolled out into various industries as a blue print. It was strongly recommended that each operator research what their municipalities drought plan is, how it relates to car washes and get serious about water conservation. The group in attendance chose to form a Georgia chapter of SECWA. Currently there are sixty-six members in the Georgia Chapter.

For more information about joining and up-to-date happenings go to www.gasaveswater.com.