Governor Nathan Deal has increased outdoor water restrictions for a large swath of north Georgia and increased the drought classification status for those counties.
A media release from the governor's office states that the level 2 drought response designation is based on recommendations of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
"Today’s declaration is driven by an extended period of little or no rain and increasing dryness in the impacted areas," EPD Director Richard Dunn said. "What’s more, there is little hope for relief as weather forecasters expect an unusually warm, dry winter across most of the state."
The level 2 status includes 52 counties, including Hall. The governor also added 58 counties to a level 1 drought response designation, the less severe of the two.
"I would like to remind Georgians that there are specific guidelines and prohibitions to follow during a Level 1 and Level 2 Drought Response," Deal said in the release. "We urge these communities to act accordingly, use good judgment and avoid outdoor burning and watering while we continue to work with the EPD and pray for rain across the state."
The level two designation pretty much limits non-commercial outdoor water use to landscape watering on an odd-even basis two days a week.
"Even-numbered addresses and properties without numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Saturday between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water Thursday and Sunday between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.," the governor's release states.
Counties assigned a level 2 drought response in northeast Georgia are: Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Pickens, Union and White.
The additional counties assigned a level 1 drought response in northeast Georgia are: Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Rabun, Stephens and Towns.
Prohibited outdoor water uses during a level 2 drought response include:
- Washing hard surfaces such as streets and sidewalks.
- Water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains.
- The use of fire hydrants, except for firefighting and public safety.
- Non-commercial washing of vehicles.
- Non-commercial pressure washing.
- Fundraising car washes.
Source, Governor's office
