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July 23, 2008

Water-use restrictions eased by Dalton Utilities

Chatsworth Water Works officials evaluating their options

From Staff Reports



Dalton Utilities has received state permission to ease some of its outdoor water-use restrictions.

The new restriction level, Level Four-C, goes into effect immediately. In this level, outdoor water use is allowed three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. on an odd/even basis. Odd-numbered addresses may use water outdoors on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered or unnumbered addresses and golf course fairways may use water outdoors on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Sprinklers are allowed in this level of restriction.

The state recently allowed water providers to ask for relief from statewide restrictions.

“We petitioned the state to request an exemption from the statewide Level Four restrictions based on our current operational data — streamflows, reservoir levels, usage numbers, etc.,” said Don Cope, Dalton Utilities president and CEO. “While the drought is far from over, we have seen some relief recently. We want local residents and industry to have more flexibility in their outdoor water use to protect the investments they have in their landscaping.”

Local rainfall, while still below average, totaled 23.02 inches for the year as of June 30. Average yearly rainfall for the Dalton area is 56.42 inches. Currently, Dalton is 6.83 inches below normal rainfall. The same time last year, Dalton was more than 14 inches below normal.

According to a Dalton Utilities press release, Carol Couch, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, wrote the utility when approving the new standards, “Please note that Dalton Utilities is still within the Drought Response Level IV area. I expect vigorous compliance and enforcement of your modified drought response.”

For more information, go to the Dalton Utilities’ Web site at www.dutil.com.

As for Chatsworth Water Works, “We’ve been evaluating water capacity and supply the last two weeks, to see if we can do it,” said director Tom Martin of a potential request for water restrictions to be eased. “We may be petitioning within the next two or three weeks.”

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