CCWA Customers Reminded to Conserve Water as Level 1 Drought Response Continues
Morrow, Georgia – – Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) officials are reminding customers that the Level 1 Drought Response is still in effect even though recent rains have improved local reservoir levels.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) declared a Level 1 Drought Response for 103 Georgia counties on October 18 after extreme heat and little rainfall during late summer led to a ‘flash drought’ and worsened drought conditions in the state.
According to the federal government’s U.S. Drought Monitor, the drought has affected the entire state with conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. Recent rains have improved Clayton County’s status from extreme drought to severe drought.
“Between July – early October, we received nine inches less rainfall than we did last year during the same time period,” adds CCWA General Manager H. Bernard Franks. “Fortunately, our innovative use of constructed treatment wetlands helps us during drought times and our reservoirs levels only temporarily dropped to 73% before recent rains brought them back up to 77%.”
Franks adds that we need continued rain in November and December to get CCWA’s five reservoirs at 100 percent before we head into the winter months.
While under the Level 1 Drought Response, CCWA customers are asked to only water outdoor when it is necessary and to continue to follow the GA Water Stewardship Act requirements of only watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Some other ways to conserve water include:
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- Finding and fixing leaks inside and outside your home or business.
- Fixing leaking toilets. This can save hundreds of gallons a day.
- Filling dishwashers and washing machines before running them.
- Turning off faucets when brushing teeth or shaving.
- Taking shorter showers.
- Replacing older, water-wasting toilets with WaterSense models. Customers in homes built before 1994 may be eligible for CCWA’s Toilet Rebate Program.
- Choosing EPA WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labeled products when purchasing appliances and fixtures
CCWA customers may stay up to date on drought restrictions by checking this website and following our Facebook page @ClaytonCountyWater.
For more water conservation information, visit the links below:
Georgia EPD Water Conservation
North Georgia Water Planning District
Clayton County Water Authority Level 1 Drought Response Flyer
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