EPD Declares Level 1 Drought Response Calling for Water Conservation
Morrow, Georgia – – Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) customers are now under a Level 1 Drought Response after an unusually hot, dry summer worsened drought conditions in north Georgia. Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) declared the Level 1 Drought Response for 103 counties, including Clayton County on October 18.
According to the federal government’s U.S. Drought Monitor, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?GA the drought has affected the entire state with conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. As a result, most of the counties in Georgia must follow the Level 1 Drought Response requirements, which calls for increased education and awareness about the drought and conservation.
“This serves as a reminder for all Georgians to use water wisely,” said EPD Director Richard Dunn. “It also
gives public water systems an opportunity to educate their customers on the importance of water conservation.”
“Our use of innovative constructed treatment wetlands and sustainable water management practices help Clayton County during times like these,” adds General Manager H. Bernard Franks. “However, we all need some steady rain this fall to get us back on track.”
Clayton County Water Authority officials are reminding residents to be mindful of the state’s mandatory Level 1 Drought restrictions:
Daily outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, tree
s, shrubs, or other plants is allowed each day, with the exception of the mid-day hours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Residents can also do their part to implement their own conservation measures such as:
• Don’t over-water your lawn, and water early in the morning or at night to avoid excess evaporation.
• Fully load the dishwasher and washing machine before running them.
• Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator or in the microwave.
• When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run.
• If you have a swimming pool, use a cover. You will cut the loss of water by evaporation by 90 percent.
• Repair dripping faucets and leaky toilets. Dripping faucets can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water each year in the average home. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons per day.
• Don’t leave the sink running while you brush your teeth.
• Help preserve the quality of the available water supply by not overusing pesticides and fertilizers; avoid flushing medications down the toilet or sink and disposing of hazardous materials properly.
Source: American Water Works Association
CCWA customers may stay-up-to-date on drought restrictions by visiting this website and following our Facebook page @ClaytonCountyWater.