October 2007
U.S. Water News Online
ATHENS, Ga. -- If the drought continues, Athens-Clarke County will need to begin rationing water by Thanksgiving and the Bear Creek Reservoir will run out of water by Christmas, a county official said.
County Manager Alan Reddish told Athens-Clarke County commissioners that a total outdoor watering ban and voluntary conservation measures have cut water consumption in Athens by nearly 20 percent & to 16.3 million gallons a day.
Under current conditions, the reduced usage and an emergency permit to withdraw more water from Middle Oconee River will provide Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties with drinking water until Dec. 21, Reddish said.
But he recommended that the Athens-Clarke County Commission approve so-called "Step F" water restrictions on Nov. 21 if drought conditions do not improve. Step F involves prioritizing uses of water, such as for drinking and fire protection, in an emergency drought management plan. But county officials still are working on a list of priorities.
Athens-Clarke County officials are working on a draft of the restrictions to give to commissioners soon.
Meanwhile, University of Georgia President Michael Adams announced the school is forming a task force to come up with more ways to conserve water, both during the drought and long term.
The Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, which runs Bear Creek Reservoir, declared a Level 4 drought Sept. 14, banning almost all outdoor water use in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Oconee counties. Athens-Clarke County declared similar restrictions the next day. The bans went into effect Sept. 18.
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