Gov. Nathan Deal declares Level 2 drought response in most of the state

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Severe droughts across Georgia have lead Governor Nathan Deal to elevate the drought response levels. Faced with worsening drought conditions in about three-fourths of the state, 52 counties have been raised to Level 2 Drought Response and an additional 58 counties have been designated as Level 1. 

The following things are banned during the level 2 Drought Response: 

  • Fundraising car washes
  • Non-commercial pressure washing
  • Non-commercial washing of vehicles
  • Fire hydrant usage, expect for firefighters and public safety. 
  • Water for fountains or other ornamental purposes
  • Washing streets, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces. 

Under the Level 2 Drought Response you may only water landscape two days a week and during certain hours. Even number addresses are permitted to water on Wednesday and Saturday between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. While odd numbered addressed may only water Thursday and Sunday between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. 

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The restrictions have been set following extended period of little or no rains. “What’s more, there is little hope for relief as weather forecasters expect an unusually warm, dry winter across most of the state.” Said EPS Director Richard Dunn.

Those counties assigned a Level 2 Drought Response are: Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Athens-Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Lamar, Lumpkin, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, White and Whitfield.

The additional counties assigned a Level 1 Drought Response are: Baker, Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Calhoun, Chattahoochee, Clay, Columbia, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Elbert, Franklin, Glascock, Greene, Hancock, Hart, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Jones, Laurens, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, Miller, Mitchell, Muscogee, Oglethorpe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Seminole, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Terrell, Towns, Twiggs, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wilkes and Wilkinson.

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"We urge these communities to act accordingly, use good judgment and avoid outdoor burning and watering while we continue to work with the EPD and pray for rain across the state.” Said Governor Deal.

For more information on water conservation and the rules of drought management, visit EPD’s website http://epd.georgia.gov/water-conservation.