New rules put into place
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation meant to conserve water.
Perdue signed the legislation today along the shore of Lake Lanier, the reservoir at the heart of the three-state dispute.
The new rules would ban most outdoor watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New buildings would need high-efficiency toilets, shower heads and faucets.
Deputy Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, David Eigenverg was in support of the legislation and wants everyone to jump on board.
“I think it’s very important that all of Georgia helps carry the load, but protecting the right for agriculture to continue to use water efficiently and continue to provide us food, fiber, and fuel,” said Eigenverg.
A federal judge ruled last year that Atlanta has few rights to water from Lake Lanier. The decision gave Georgia, Alabama and Florida until 2012 to reach an agreement. Otherwise, metro Atlanta will see access to its main water source severely curtailed, which could affect Southwest Georgia as well.
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