A deal is in the works that could allow homeowners who take a short water conservation course to water their lawns and gardens during certain times. Landscape professionals who take a similar class would be allowed to irrigate, within limits.
Gainesville landscaper Mark Fockele welcomes the idea. (See separate story).
State officials discussed the proposal Thursday even as state climatologist David Stooksbury said harsher water restrictions may be needed next summer as the record drought continues. (See separate story).
The pool industry also is looking for relief from the state's outdoor watering ban, which has been in place since September 28th for 61 north Georgia counties, including all of metro Atlanta. The ban prohibits outdoor water use, including watering lawns and flower gardens, filling swimming pools and washing cars.
More than 3 million people in the region get their drinking water from Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River just below the lake. Lanier hit a record low level in November and continued falling through most of December. Lanier has risen less than a foot since then, despite the recent rain and snow.
(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206178