Water use still restricted here to even-odd days as 'extreme' drought conditions return to N. Ga.

Local officials are reminding Washington and Wilkes County residents that the area has returned to extreme drought conditions and is still under Level 4 outdoor watering restrictions that only allow watering every other day from midnight to 10 a.m.

With extreme drought conditions now stretching across the northern third of Georgia and a forecast for a dry summer, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) recently announced that Level Four outdoor watering restrictions will remain in place for EPD permitted utilities and local governments in 55 counties, including Wilkes.

"Winter rain and rising lake levels bring us hope, but citizens should not be fooled into thinking the drought is over," said EPD Director Carol A. Couch. "We are in better shape than last fall, but we need to continue to manage our water supply to get us through the long hot summer."

Under a declared Drought Response Level Four, most types of outdoor water use is prohibited with some commercial exemptions. In addition, the EPD Director has ordered exemptions to allow the filling of swimming pools and some limited landscape watering.

l Hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an oddeven schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose.

l New landscape can be watered up to three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd/even schedule.

Anyone wishing to water new landscape must register with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program. The program is hosted on the Urban Agricultural Council web site at www.urbanagcouncil. com. Georgians may also contact their county extension agents for assistance in getting registered.

More information is available at www.conservewatergeorgia.net and www.georgiadrought.org.

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