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Water levels drastic
ACC advises public to pray
TAMARA BEST
Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News
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Athens-Clarke County officials are asking residents to pray for rain and soon will tell them to reduce their usage or face stiff penalties.
The mayor and commission met Thursday to discuss Step F - the last element of the drought management plan.
The proposed Step F recommendation calls for a 30 percent or higher reduction in water usage, would allow for water use in health and safety, industrial, commercial and residential purposes and would be implemented gradually, said Gary Duck, director of ACC Public Utilities, Thursday.
Step F originally was slated for Nov. 21 but later moved to Dec. 14. The commission moved the date to 30 days before water reaches the 25 percent conservation pool level because that is when quality decreases and requires more treatments to make water drinkable. Online, phone and written notifications are being prepared to inform customers by the ACC Commission.
Periodic meter readings will be conducted to enforce the policy. Violators face penalties ranging from a warning for the first offense, fines on the second and service disruption on the third offense.
"As long as people do their part in conservation efforts, we may not hit the conservation pool, but only time will tell," said Stephen Dorsch, water conservation coordinator for the ACC.
However, this timeline could be disrupted after an Oct. 23 announcement by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Effective Nov. 1, Perdue directed the Georgia Environment Protection Division to modify water surface and groundwater withdrawal to achieve a 10 percent reduction.
"A 10 percent reduction in water use is a first step, and we will continue to evaluate our drought response and encourage additional conservation as needed," Perdue said in a press release.
ACC manager Alan Reddish called Perdue's announcement "frustrating" and "disappointing," given that the county, as of Oct. 22, is at a 28 percent reduction rate.
"The governor's announcement brings Step F closer than it was before, and we are a little frustrated by that. We have been asking residents to be proactive since April and not many communities have done that," Reddish said. "To be honest, the impact and duration of Step F could be shorter if citizens continue to cooperate."
The mayor and commission met Thursday to discuss Step F - the last element of the drought management plan.
The proposed Step F recommendation calls for a 30 percent or higher reduction in water usage, would allow for water use in health and safety, industrial, commercial and residential purposes and would be implemented gradually, said Gary Duck, director of ACC Public Utilities, Thursday.
Step F originally was slated for Nov. 21 but later moved to Dec. 14. The commission moved the date to 30 days before water reaches the 25 percent conservation pool level because that is when quality decreases and requires more treatments to make water drinkable. Online, phone and written notifications are being prepared to inform customers by the ACC Commission.
Periodic meter readings will be conducted to enforce the policy. Violators face penalties ranging from a warning for the first offense, fines on the second and service disruption on the third offense.
"As long as people do their part in conservation efforts, we may not hit the conservation pool, but only time will tell," said Stephen Dorsch, water conservation coordinator for the ACC.
However, this timeline could be disrupted after an Oct. 23 announcement by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Effective Nov. 1, Perdue directed the Georgia Environment Protection Division to modify water surface and groundwater withdrawal to achieve a 10 percent reduction.
"A 10 percent reduction in water use is a first step, and we will continue to evaluate our drought response and encourage additional conservation as needed," Perdue said in a press release.
ACC manager Alan Reddish called Perdue's announcement "frustrating" and "disappointing," given that the county, as of Oct. 22, is at a 28 percent reduction rate.
"The governor's announcement brings Step F closer than it was before, and we are a little frustrated by that. We have been asking residents to be proactive since April and not many communities have done that," Reddish said. "To be honest, the impact and duration of Step F could be shorter if citizens continue to cooperate."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Step 'F' Athens
posted 10/29/07 @ 1:46 PM EST
"Pray For Rain"
Under this utterly useless and unenforceable plan, every single business and household in ACC would have a different water-usage target to hit to avoid fines and an end to their water service; and the same lame government that got us into this mess would keep track of all that. (Continued…)
MC
posted 10/29/07 @ 2:35 PM EST
Also, Step F favors the rich, who were the big consumers, and penalizes people who weren't using so much water to begin with. I agree, raising prices is a *much* better approach. (Continued…)
COCKBALLS9000
posted 10/29/07 @ 5:46 PM EST
Wha wha wha, "its all the fault of the rich", cry me a fucking river and then i'll bottle it up so you can drink it. I love how people think punishing those who are successful is going to somehow solve any problems. (Continued…)
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