Georgia Lifts Water Restrictions, Declaring The Drought Over

The drought is over.  That's the word from Georgia's top environmental official today.  After years of water restrictions and conservation programs, water levels across the state appear to be getting back to normal.

Terry Jones knew weeks ago what Georgia leaders officially announced today.  "We haven't had any problems this year its been a great year for the yard and the garden."

Jones dug a well a few years ago to irrigate his yard and garden, but this year, he's used it sparingly.  Jones says "mother nature's done most of it this year."

The state climatologist says Georgia experienced the wettest spring season on record in 115 years.  In fact, Governor Sonny Perdue says heavy rainfall in recent months helped the entire state emerge from the worst drought categories, prompting restrictions on outdoor water use to be lifted for the first time since 2006.

John Culpepper, City Manager of Chickamauga, says "I am tickled to death to hear this because I don't want to go through past history because we haven't needed these water restrictions in the Northwest corner of the state because we've got plenty of water."

Odd and even number designated watering days still apply, and residents face a 50-dollar fine for watering on the wrong day.  But now, there are no hourly requirements.  Culpepper says "we just asked them to voluntarily do it. Do I have the resources to put people out there and be water police? Certainly not."

Culpepper says voluntary compliance helped Chickamauga reach state mandated conservation levels during the tough times too.  "I'm glad we're about to get back to normal."

Here's how the odd-even address restrictions work.  If you're home is on the even numbered side of the street, you can water outdoors on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.  Odd numbered homes get Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.