Metro Atlanta to receive mandatory water conservation orders soon

cbs46.com ^ | 11/11/16 | Dante Renzulli

[ColdOne]

ATLANTA (CBS46) -

Most of metro Atlanta is under a voluntary water conservation order, but that could change soon.

The Cobb County Water Department just got an early heads up from the Georgia EPD that they are considering a mandatory ban on outdoor water use for residents of 55 counties.

Based on the timing of conversations with the state, senior project manager Kathy Nyguen guesses the official announcement will be made before November 22.

Lake Lanier is now more than nine feet below normal.

"Right now we're about five months into this drought. We've seen it intensify into the summer, and now the fall, and it's really just getting worse," said Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth.

[ColdOne]

Meanwhile, the federal courts are in the middle of trying to resolve the 27-year-old dispute between Georgia and Florida over water use. Florida is complaining that Georgia uses too much water from the Chattahoochee, and if the courts side with them, water departments in cities like Atlanta might receive a cap on the number of gallons they're allowed to take from the river

[ctdonath2]

I’m right by Lake Lanier. Yeah, we could really use some rain.
Reminds me I should get one of those rain barrels. Or six.

[The Westerner]

Welcome to Western United States!

[bgill]

Lake Lanier is now more than nine feet below normal.

Lake Medina in Texas was down 36 feet five years ago. Lake Buchanan was about 20.

[PAR35]

If they put the state line where it’s supposed to be (35th parallel), Georgia would have direct access to the Tennessee River. That would do a lot to solve the problem. They would need a big pipe and several pumping stations.