(ATLANTA, June 7) — The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is urging residents and businesses in the 16-county metro area to do all they can to conserve water.

“Water conservation is essential year-round, but it’s absolutely imperative during drought,” said Kit Dunlap, chairman of the Water District board and president of the Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce. “We must make every drop count – inside our homes and out – to be sure that we don’t waste any of our water”

In spite of rains from Tropical Storm Barry in southeast Georgia, the drought continues to worsen in much of the state, reports David Stooksbury, state climatologist. The long-term outlook is for the drought to continue to intensify, and little if any widespread, sustained relief from the drought is anticipated.

Outdoor watering restrictions are in effect statewide. Odd-numbered street addresses may water Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Even-numbered addresses may water during Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Watering is allowed only after midnight and before 10 a.m.

Local jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions, and residents should call the entity that sends their water bill to find out what limitations on outdoor watering are in effect in their community.

Currently in Forsyth County there is no watering on Mondays and Thursdays in addition to the statewide restrictions. Coweta County and Fulton County (with the exception of Hapeville, College Park and East Point) can water only on Saturdays for even numbered addresses and Sundays for odd numbered addresses.

Water Conservation Tips

The District offers the following tips to reduce water use outdoors and inside the home.

*Outdoors*

• Use soaker hoses to water shrubs and trees.

• Mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation and cut down on weeds.

• Water one day each week for one inch.

• Don’t fertilize during drought. Fertilizer promotes plant growth, which increases the need for water.

*Indoors*

• Take the District’s “Do-It-Yourself Household Water Assessment” to analyze how you use water (see www.northgeorgiawater.org for a copy).

• Keep showers under five minutes.

• Repair leaks promptly.

• Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they are full.

• Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.

Resources for Homeowners

Several publications are available on the District’s website (www.northgeorgiawater.org) to help homeowners conserve water:

· “WaterWise Landscaping and Watering Guide” is loaded with tips, tells how to measure the output of sprinklers and how to tell if plants or lawns need watering.

· “Landscape Irrigation Watering Guide” offers valuable advice about how best to use a sprinkler system.

· “Do-It-Yourself Household Water Assessment” offers other suggestions for conserving water (and saving money).

· “Water Use It Wisely” offers easy tips for conserving water, both indoors and out.

More information about the drought is available at www.georgiadrought.org. The state’s Drought Management Plan is available on the EPD website at www.gaepd.org/Documents/outdoorwater.html.

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District is a planning entity dedicated to developing comprehensive regional and watershed specific water resources plans to be implemented by local governments in the district.

These plans will protect water quality and public water supplies in and downstream of the region, protect recreational values of the waters in and downstream of the region and minimize potential adverse impacts of development on waters in and downstream of the region.

The District encompasses 16 counties in North Georgia: Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale and Walton counties.

For more information about the District, contact Joy Hinkle at 404.463.3344.Information about the District is available at www.northgeorgiawater.org.
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