Water use up slightly, but Georgians still conserve

ATLANTA - Water use in north Georgia jumped slightly after the state relaxed strict outdoor water restrictions that stemmed from the historic drought.

State Environmental Protection Division (EPD) officials say water use in June rose an average of 1.8 percent compared to the same month the year before. Water use in the 55-county north Georgia area was down 18.4 percent compared to the same month in June 2007.

The City of Gainesville reports that the amount of water it took from Lake Lanier in June was 20 percent less than it was in June 2007.

According to water use data collected from water utilities and local governments throughout the 55-county north Georgia area, water use in June rose an average of just 1.8 percent as compared to June 2008. Most types of outdoor water use had been prohibited in those 55 counties since September of 2007. Non-drought schedules took effect June 10, which allow people to water any time of the day up to three days a week determined by odd and even-numbered addresses.

Even more impressive, according to EPD, are the comparisons to June 2007 before the drought worsened and outdoor water use was allowed midnight to 10 a.m. three days a week. June 2009 water use was down 18.4 percent as compared to the 2007 data, even though the current schedules are for times of non-drought.

For example, some of the largest metropolitan Atlanta water systems showed significant water savings during June, including the city of Atlanta and Gwinnett, Clayton and Cobb counties. Other large metro water users saw only modest increases in water use, including North Fulton, Cherokee and Fayette counties, and the city of Marietta.

The state banned virtually all outdoor water use across north Georgia in September 2007 as an epic drought gripped the region. The limits were lifted in June as rainfall levels helped elevate Georgia out of the dry conditions.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said the figures "indicate that Georgians have made water conservation part of their daily lives."

Monthly water use data is posted on the EPD web site at www.georgiaepd.com. To learn more about water conservation go to www.conservewatergeorgia.net.