Current conditions for local cities
CityAtlanta
Current Temperature27°
Sky ConditionsClear
Forecasted Temperatures
Time4:00am7:00am
Sky ConditionPartly CloudyPartly Cloudy
Temperature
27°
25°
5-Day Forecast | Tower Cams
WSBTV.com News 

Story

State Declares Drought Over; Lifts Watering Ban

Related Stories/Links
WATERING RESTRICTIONS
    Even Numbered Homes - Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
    Odd Numbered Homes - Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
    No Watering On Fridays

Posted: 11:28 am EDT June 10, 2009Updated: 3:24 pm EDT June 10, 2009

ATLANTA -- Georgia officials lifted the statewide watering ban Wednesday, declaring the drought over.

Dr. Carol Couch, head of the state Environmental Protection Division, lifted the watering ban, effective immediately.

"This drought has ended," Couch said. "Our water supplies are flush. Our rivers and streams have rebounded."

Residents will be able to water their lawns and wash their cars on an odd-even basis. Residents of homes with even numbered addresses will be able to water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, residents of homes with odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Watering on Friday is still banned. All time restrictions were lifted.

The restrictions were put in place in the midst of a drought that gripped the Southeast in late 2007.

Heavy rainfall in recent months has helped Georgia and the rest of the Southeast emerge from the worst drought categories. Just a year ago, more than 40 percent of the region was mired in drought. The state's climatologist said Wednesday that Georgia has seen the second wettest spring in 115 years.

Gov. Sonny Perdue is set to discuss the drought at a news conference at the governor's mansion at 1 p.m.

Copyright 2009 by WSBTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WSB-TV Going Green Partners

2 Investigates

America's new "green rush" has turned into a "gold rush" for other countries. Full Story ››
MORE: investigativereportingworkshop.org
LINK: recovery.gov


A Whistleblower 2 Investigation took a closer look at a former Coweta County Sheriff's Deputy at the center of a controversial incident caught on tape. Clint Reynolds currently is facing two felony charges that include aggravated assault on his wife. Full Story ››


Channel 2 Action News has learned of a federal investigation into seafood mislabeling. A grand jury soon could hand up indictments against several shrimp processors for mislabeling cheap imports as U.S. caught shrimp. Full Story ››


Georgia drivers are now subject to the new super speeder law that can tack on an additional $200 fine. State troopers will likely chase down some of those speeders. And Channel 2 Action News has learned that those drivers may be in for an even more expensive surprise. Richard Belcher investigates. Full Story ››
WEB EXTRA: Fleeing Fines

Hidden Cameras Expose Furnace Company's Dirty Work
More Investigates