Water

Lake Kedron is looking awful, and I'm willing to bet it will dry up long before Lake Allatoona, Lanier, or Hartwell. I find the fact that Atlanta's water shortage has made national news a bit unnerving. They are saying that we could run out of drinking water in a year if the drought remains unchanged. Does this scare the pants off of anyone else?

New development needs to be re-evaluated, and at the very least, more "green" standards need to be required (e.g. greywater recycling). Incentives/rebates would be nice for things like rain barrels. Grass is an unnecessary luxury, but our trees, shrubs, and vegetable gardens are very beneficial and can be sustained with saved rainwater and greywater!

We are in the midst of an historic drought, yet there is very little talk about the situation, and many people are still using water like there is an endless supply of it. One look at Lake Kedron should tell you that we can and will run out of water unless things change. Wake up people, we're in the middle of a very serious situation!

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Submitted by bladderq on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 10:44pm.

Isn't there some scientific stuff about plants giving off "transpiration"? You know they git water, use it & give it back up. The water gits in the atmosphere and hopefully falls back down somewhere.

Now 85% of the water used goes down a drain. Can anyone start to say, "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down." Let's keep it simple (stupid).

I don't know Fayette Co. Water's record but let's hope it is better than Coweta (not Newnan Utilities) and their 30% loss ... from the lines.

ps: All you Great Lakes states people that don't have at least 1 grandparent in a local graveyard... leave now.

eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 2:55pm.

No, you are not the only one concerned. In fact, this gives me the opportunity to ask - where does one report water wasters, who do you call in Fayette County?

It is a very frightening situation, and maddening when my household is restricting and conserving, yet I drive past mansions and businesses watering on a daily basis.

Additionally, the deeper they must go for water the more 'processing'
the water requires. Is that to say, we'll have less and 'colored' water, but will probably be charged more for it?

Geesh, what must us do!!!


Submitted by ATLtoPTC on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 4:10pm.

As far as I can tell, Fayette County doesn't have a dedicated phone line and/or reporting system for water violations. If there is one, it isn't well advertised. I guess the drought and resulting water shortage isn't a high level priority for Fayette County yet.

In Peachtree City, you may be able to reach someone at 770-631-2588 to report violations, but I'm not 100% sure that is correct. Like Fayette County, it doesn't seem like a huge priority just yet. How sad.

As for exceptions, here's the official info:

391-3-30-.05 Exemptions

(1) This rule shall not apply to the following outdoor water uses:

(a) Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances
(b) Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances

(2) The following established landscape water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
(b) Irrigation of personal food gardens.

(3) Newly (in place less than thirty days) installed landscapes are subject to the following:

(a) Irrigation of newly installed landscapes is allowed any day of the week, but only during allowed hours for the drought response level in effect, for a period of 30 days following installation. No watering is allowed during Drought Response Level Four.
(b) For new landscapes installed by certified or licensed professionals, commercial exemptions apply.

(4) The following golf course outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
(b) Irrigation of fairways during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Level One.
(c) Irrigation of tees during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Levels One, Two and Three.
(d) Irrigation of greens.

(5) The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers: during installation and 30 days following installation only. Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.
(b) Irrigation contractors: during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
(c) Sod producers.
(d) Ornamental growers.
(e) Fruit and vegetable growers.
(f) Retail garden centers.
(g) Hydro-seeding.
(h) Power-washing.
(i) Construction sites.
(j) Producers of food and fiber.
(k) Car washes.
(l) Other activities essential to daily business.
(m) Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 5:18pm.

Are the police interested in wasted water?
Are the Code officers?
Is the Mayor?
Is anybody?

Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 4:46pm.

Let's see if I got this right......

My lawn, and newly planted trees....luxury item, not needed?.

Golf, precious, precious golf.....life saving necessity?

Construction sites, especially for high-rise condos, and cluster homes....absolute necessity if you are going to ruin land properly?

Car washes ....and other activities "essential" to daily buisness?

Ok it's all clear to me now.

Submitted by ATLtoPTC on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 7:56pm.

Because, in my opinion, golf course grass is definitely a luxury. In fact, grass in general is not terribly essential. Landscaping should be mostly native and drought resistant, even in "good" years. Trees, including your newly planted trees, are very beneficial for many reasons. Construction - in my opinion, should be re-evaluated/scaled back/and/or required to be more "green".

The exclusions list has a lot more room for cutbacks if you ask me. But money talks, doesn't it? - and a residential tree doesn't bring in revenue for anyone in a position to influence government decisions.

Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 9:04pm.

I was just asking rhetorical, cynical and sarcastic questions, I already knew the answer to. The questions weren't directed at you. They were a sarcastic comment on our state governments lack of ethics, common sense, and morals.

I know it is all about money.

I appreciate the work you did in spelling out the exemptions for us. I hope I'm not the only one irritated with the list.

Submitted by ATLtoPTC on Wed, 10/10/2007 - 1:22pm.

I don't want to come across as an idiot blogger who insults people. I'm not a lawn-killer, honest. Smiling

I'm relieved that you don't think I have the common sense of a government policy maker!

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 5:22pm.

These are businesses, not people.
Don't mess with the businesses in a republican county!
Can't sell a condo with no flowers and shrubs!
Unwashed cars are like unwashed public, aren't they?
Who cares about your lawn and trees?

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:09pm.

It is a waste of time to fool with visible water wasters! No one cares much who is in authority.
Besides outdoor grass watering is only about 15-20% of home usage.

Even toilets use more than grass watering. We are pretty dumb when it comes to where our water goes, especially when there is insufficient rain.

Industry and businesses use by far the most of the water. Even supply line leaks use as much as lawn watering!

It all certainly adds up quickly however, and if we don't very soon RATION water, not only to homes but to business and other users, we will be dry by summer if the rain predictions hold up.

There are many other problems affiliated with low water sources, which our bigwigs know of, but we won't until they occur. Sludge, germs, heavy metals, corrosion, etc., will begin to show up.

Brown water may taste pretty good by summer. The sand traps on the home water supplies may already be half full!

We depend upon the government to do such things for us, but if it interferes with votes or business, forget it!
Libertarians even want the government to do these kind of things for us.

Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 4:48pm.

.....ok maybe you are not dollar after all.

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 5:23pm.

It is about time!! If you mean there may be two thinkers in Fayette, maybe there is. Where is dollar?

zoes's picture
Submitted by zoes on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:07pm.

Just to throw out this: Where I work (which, unfortunately isn't in Fayette County) we use well water to water the grounds and city water for the building. I have no idea if other businesses do this.


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:30pm.

I just looked at the Georgia EPD site regarding level IV drought restrictions. It acknowledges "Residential Watering" restrictions. Also noted was that local water authorities will address commercial water rules separately from the state. So I "Googled" the Fayette County Water Department and guess what, the site is down.

With all this said the veterinary office that I noticed could perfectly be within its rights to water its lawn.

This is crazy!!!!
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Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 4:50pm.

Of course the site is down, they had a 3 hour lunch today with a bunch of developers.

Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:12pm.

Most water tables are also down. Soon if ithasn't already started, many wells will be dry. Some can be dug deeper into the supply.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:01pm.

Veterinary Office Hwy 54 East across from the soccer fields - Sunday Morning 1:00 AM sprinklers going strong.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:16pm.

If I can get all of da man's ends tied up . . .I'm outta here!

Just need someone to find out the number for the water police.


eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:12pm.

you see I'm hitting the road about 5:45 a.m., and there are lots of folks who are still watering. Who do I call? I'll put the number on speed dial.

Zoes mentions well water; that's wonderful. OK, if some of these places are using well water, or recycled water, or water from their pond, etc. that's great, but put a sign out front saying that.

Where I work, we have lots of green areas, especially the stadium right out my backdoor here . . .seems they watered a little too much and got into a fix . . .

We are all going to have to work together on this one.


Submitted by Nitpickers on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 3:15pm.

People like this like confrontation and pushing.
The get needed attention!

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