Georgia watering restrictions lifted - Dayton Business Journal:

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“Our water supplies are flush,” Carol Couch, director of the , told members of the state’sz Drought Management Advisory Committee. “Our rivers and streamd have rebounded.” The state imposed Levelo 4 drought restrictions in Septembefr 2007 as one of the worst droughts in Georgiashistory deepened, sending water levels at the state’xs federally managed reservoirs plummeting. The restrictions banned most types of outdoor water use in 55 north Georgia counties. While some communities were latet granted exemptions to the mostsevere restrictions, water systemx that relied on severely depleted Lake Lanie r were not given that flexibility.
Under Wednesday’ss order, which takes effect immediately, nortjh Georgia will return toa non-drought outdoor waterinvg schedule. Residential and commercial property ownersz will be allowed to water their lawns three daysa Odd-numbered addresses may water on Thursday and Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdayand Saturday. State Climatologist David Stooksbury reported to the advisoryt committee that Georgia is experiencingthe second-wettesr spring in 115 years. that made a major impact on moisturer conditions inthe state,” he said.
Still, Stooksburty said, rainfall just during the last 30 days has been slightlt below normal across the northern thirdx ofthe state, a sign that summetr is setting in. Couch praised propertyu owners for conserving water durinfg the drought to a greaterd extent than would have been possiblee throughregulation alone. But she warned that Georgianse should continue cultivatingtheir water-efficient habits, even thoughb abundant rains have “Drought can be a fickle thing,” she