53 counties across the state, including 13 in Northeast Georgia, are affected by the Georgia Evironmental Protection Division's Level 1 Drought Response issued Friday.
Such a declaration "means local water utilities in the affected counties will be required to begin a public information campaign to help citizens better understand drought, its impact on water supplies and the need for water conservation," officials wrote in a news release.
Nearly all the counties affected by the declaratioin are listed in either "severe" or "extreme" drought conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Water utilities have already taken action to insure that water supplies are generally good and practicing effective water conservation will help provide sufficient supplies through the coming months if dry conditions persist,” said EPD Director Richard Dunn.
Residents are encouraged to conserve water for the time being, something the affected counties will be required to do through one or more forms of media, be it a newspaper ad, water bill insert, social media or public notices at libraries, among other options.
In Northeast Georgia, the following counties (listed alphabetically) are affected:
- Barrow
- Dawson
- Fannin
- Forsyth
- Gilmer
- Gwinnett
- Habersham
- Hall
- Jackson
- Lumpkin
- Pickens
- Union
- White
