Residents in Crawford and Arnoldsville face outdoor water bans as drought conditions strain water supplies in both cities.
Outdoor water bans restrict nonessential water use outside the home, such as watering lawns and gardens or washing vehicles. The specific restrictions and exemptions vary by municipality.
The restrictions come amid broader drought conditions across Georgia. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a statewide Level 1 drought response in April.
Oglethorpe County experienced four consecutive weeks of limited rainfall leading up to October. From Sept. 7 to Oct. 5, the county’s rainfall averages totaled just 0.85 inches, according to the Oglethorpe County Rainfall Reporting Network.
Rainfall increased to an average of 1.87 inches from Oct. 5-12, thanks in part to Hurricane Isaias last weekend, but water officials in both cities said the recent rain isn’t enough to lift restrictions.
Water Works being renovated
The Crawford water treatment plant also is undergoing major renovations that have temporarily reduced the city’s overall water reservoir capacity.
Amy Wall-Lance, Crawford’s city clerk, said Crawford implemented its outdoor water ban on Oct. 1, when it ran the notice in The Oglethorpe Echo.
Donny Faust, lead operator at the city’s water department, said the ban was implemented when reservoir levels declined and water demand remained high.
“We're going through a drought right now, and plus we're going through renovations down here at the water plant,” he said.
The renovations include replacing water pumps, redoing filters and repairing the reservoir’s main dam, which Faust said had been leaking.
“We've only got about a quarter of the reservoir right now because they put in a temporary dam and drained most of it to repair the dam,” Faust said.
Crawford primarily draws its water from the reservoir, treating and filtering it before distributing it to customers. Three wells provide additional water for the city.
Faust said the treatment plant is operating with one filter. It’s also running longer hours to meet demand.
He estimated the renovations could take another 1-2 months, but the ban will not be lifted until the area experiences a significant amount of rainfall and renovations are complete.
Crawford resident Amber Smith said she has experienced intermittent water discoloration over the past two months.
Smith said her water usually appears normal, but occasionally turns brown when she runs a bath, typically clearing up after running for several minutes.
Faust said the water discoloration is likely connected to the low levels of water the city is experiencing.
“Its main thing is manganese that accumulates on the inside of the pipes, and it's not an immediate health hazard, but of course, nobody wants brown water,” Faust said.
Arnoldsville restricts outdoor watering
Arnoldsville has also implemented outdoor watering restrictions, though its issues are mostly related to drought conditions. The outdoor water ban will remain in place until significant rainfall improves water availability enough for the city to ease them.
Adam Boswell, the Arnoldsville water superintendent, said the restrictions have been in place since the summer.
“We just don’t have the water supply to keep up with all that,” he said.
The city is restricting outdoor irrigation, though exceptions are in place for newly installed sod. Arnoldsville distributed notices online and through the mail with bills, Boswell said.
Recent rainfall has provided relief, but he said it has not been enough to significantly improve the city’s water supply.
Boswell said some residents have continued watering despite the restrictions, making conservation hard.
“It's hard because some people just don't care,” Boswell said.