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Fayette County is prepared water-wise for the coming months, but precautions are being taken around the region in light of recent drought conditions.
That was the word from Water System Director Lee Pope, who briefed the Fayette County Board of Commissioners at its Oct. 27 regular meeting.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has announced a Level 1 drought situation for the present time, although Pope said he expects it to reach Level 2 fairly soon.
The two bodies of water from which the county is currently drawing — Lake Horton and Lake McIntosh — have just over 300 days of water stored, Pope reported. Lake Kedron and Lake Peachtree also have about the same amount of water but the county is not pulling from them right now.
Lake Peachtree and Lake Kedron are about 99 percent full, according to Pope, with the other two at about 60 percent volume.
The county generally sees highest demand between April and September, with usage ranging from 12 to 19 million gallons a day. That amount typically drops to 8-9 million in October, but this month it is around 12 million, which will put a strain on the region, Pope said.
He and his staff have been in contact with leaders of other water systems in the region, and while Fayette is in good shape, conditions elsewhere will likely lead to a Level 2 announcement, he added.
Rainfall projections for winter could mean that the region is not completely recovered by next spring, when demand will go up again.
“We feel there is a need to declare [Level 2] now so we can recover by next spring,” said Pope. “We want the citizens to know where we stand so they can be mindful of the conditions and be conservative.”
A Level 1 drought announcement means that community outreach is begun to let residents know about conditions. Level 2 would require a mandated odd-even watering schedule. Commercial operations are exempt from both levels, Pope said.
The strain of the region’s water system has reached south of the state line. Florida officials are suing Georgia over use of the water sources here, Pope said.
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