Below is Governor Perdue's announcement this morning allowing more
flexibility in Outdoor Water Restrictions.  One part indicates that anyone
wanting to water new professionally installed landscape must register with
the Outdoor Registration Program which is hosted on the Urban Agricultural
Council web site at www.urbanagcouncil.com beginning April 1.  Note This
program site will not be available until April 1.

Governor Perdue Announces More Flexibility in Outdoor Watering Restrictions

                        Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774 Kevin Chambers, EPD,
404-651-7970

State will provide exemptions to level four drought response; exemptions
balanced with renewed conservation efforts


Today at the Georgia Agribusiness Council’s legislative breakfast Governor
Sonny Perdue announced the state will ease outdoor watering limitations
through exemptions to the Level Four drought restrictions implemented in
September 2007.  Taking this action strikes a balance between sound
management of our water resources and support of Georgia’s industries that
depend on water use.  Governor Perdue also announced that his call for 10
percent water use reductions on water permit holders will continue using
last year’s April to September average monthly water use as the baseline.

“Georgians have demonstrated their dedication to a culture of
conservation,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “It is important to continue to
encourage conservation with the 10 percent reduction, which I believe we
can achieve while also supporting industries that are so essential to our
state.”

Hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an odd-even
schedule between midnight and 10 am.  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 with a spray nozzle that shuts off when it is released.

New professionally installed landscape can be watered up to three days a
week from midnight to 10 am for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd/even
schedule.  The new schedule will help ensure the survival of new landscape
without requiring more water than what is being used under the current
30-day exemption.

Anyone wishing to water new professionally installed landscape must
register with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program.  The program will
be hosted on the Urban Agricultural Council web site at
www.urbanagcouncil.com beginning April 1, when the outdoor watering
exemptions take effect.  Georgians may also contact their county extension
agents for assistance in getting registered.

Local governments and water utilities in the 61-county Level Four Drought
Response area will still be required to achieve the Governor’s water use
reduction goal of at least 10 percent.  Beginning April 1, the water
savings will be calculated using last year’s April-September average
monthly water use.

“These steps will give consumers confidence to buy and plant new trees and
shrubbery,” said Governor Perdue.  “It will give retailers confidence to
stock these items, and it will give producers confidence to grow them.
This action will lend renewed strength to the landscaping industry in
Georgia.”

More information about the drought and water conservation can be found at
www.georgiaepd.com and www.conservewatergeorgia.net .

Governor Perdue also praised the work of the Georgia Agribusiness Council
in helping craft the Statewide Water Management Plan, which received final
passage in the State Senate yesterday.  Governor Perdue will sign the water
plan this afternoon, and also announce the state’s decision on outdoor
pools.


Gil Landry, Ph.D., Director
Center for Urban Agriculture
University of Georgia - Griffin Campus
Griffin, GA 30223-1797
Tele:  770 233 6107
[log in to unmask]
www.gaurbanag.org