Don't be fooled by recent rains. Without a lot more help from the skies, metro Atlanta is headed into a third summer of historic drought.

That means big changes. After decades of cooling down in Piedmont Park, 55,000 runners in the July 4 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race will finish at the Atlanta Civic Center. Ornamental water fountains will remain dry.

Homeowners hoping to keep their lawns green and flowers perky will have to check both the clock and the calendar: Only 25 minutes of spraying with a garden hose is allowed, three days a week.

Some things won't change. Swimming pools, public and private, can be replenished; White Water park opened Saturday for its normal summer schedule, and the Atlanta Braves continue to play on a field of emerald green.

To help navigate the do's and don'ts —- and provide insight on why we are where we are —- here's the Drought 2008 Handbook.

Q: It's been raining. Why are we still in a drought?

A: Plentiful winter rains are normal for this region. They are critical for refilling reservoirs and recharging the hydrological cycle that includes streams, wetlands and underground aquifers.

To pull metro Atlanta out of this record drought, an extraordinary amount of rain was needed, and we didn't get it. Only 24 inches of rain fell on Atlanta from October to April, when normally nearly 30 inches falls.

As it is, metro Atlanta is entering uncharted territory with Lake Lanier lower than it has ever been in May, just as water usage starts climbing to its year-round peak. The lake, the primary source of drinking water for more than 3 million metro Atlantans, is more than 13 feet below its full level. Even with normal rainfall, it could take years for the lake to recover. Without it, Lanier could plummet to a new record low this year.

But since December, due to rainfall downstream, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on many days has released only enough water to serve metro Atlanta, creating a direct relationship between water conservation and Lanier's level.

Q: Will we ever get normal rain again (50 inches a year)?

A: Yes, but no one knows when. At a recent drought conference, Martin Hoerling, a federal meteorologist with the Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, Colo., said there is a 50-50 chance the drought will end this summer, increasing to an 85 percent chance it will be over by June 2009.

Hoerling said this drought was not caused by global warming, and does not appear to be the start of a drier trend. The Southeast region had similar droughts in 1926 and 1955.

Q: I buy water from Atlanta. Doesn't the city want to impose a nearly total ban on watering landscapes, which means I won't be able to water my petunias?

A: Yes, but because of a new state law, the city will have to get permission from the state.

Q: What's a gardener to do?

A: You can do with less water than you probably think if you select drought-tolerant plants and manage your landscape well.

For a colorful border, consider

> Yarrow, (Achillea), likes sun but tolerates poor soil.

> Zinnia, likes compost in the soil. Good cut flowers.

> Salvia, (sage), annual and perennial varieties popular with butterflies.

> Ice plant (Delosperma cooper), a succulent ground cover.

> Daylily, sun loving perennial Southern favorite.

> Coneflower, (Echinacea) valued by herbalists for its medicinal properties.

> Black-eyed Susan, (Rudbeckia), will happily take over the border.

Tips for keeping plants healthy

> Mulch well to hold in moisture.

> Pull weeds; they compete for water.

> Group plants together by their water needs.

> Keep soil healthy to avoid extra stress on plants.

> Prune plants and remove dead blossoms.

> Be judicious with fertilizer; plants need water to efficiently use the added nutrients.

Tips for keeping lawns healthy

> Use little or no fertilizer; fertilizer and water work together and fast growing grass needs more water.

> Leave the mower clippings on the lawn to mulch and slow down evaporation.

> Aerate and thatch grass to keep it healthy and let rain get to the roots.

> If you use a rainbarrel or other alternate source to water, do it early in the day when the sun is low to minimize evaporation.

Q: Can I water my tomatoes and peppers?

A: Yes. Food gardens are exempt from the rules. That means sprinklers are allowed, any time of day, on edible plants. But remember, using outdoor water in the heat of the day is highly ineffective, since much of the water evaporates.

Q: Can I wash my car?

A: No. If you want a clean car, take it to a commercial car wash; they are exempt and many recycle water. Or you could use a waterless car wash product, such as Eco Touch or No Wet. Using water to wash cars —- or pets! —- in your driveway is prohibited.

Q: Can I fill my birdbath?

A: Yes. But Kevin Chambers from the state Environmental Protection Division recommends you use water from a bucket in your shower that fills while you're waiting for the water to get warm.

Q: Should I expect to pay more for water?

A: Absolutely. Fulton County customers are paying 15 percent more to make up for revenues lost to reduced water use, and the city of Atlanta has proposed a 27.5 percent hike for water and sewer rates to pay for its $4 billion plumbing overhaul.

Other metro Atlantans are also likely to see a rise in the cost of both water and sewer service. That's in part to pay for expensive infrastructure improvements, including new reservoirs and upgrades to aging systems. In addition, charging more for water, especially for above-average users, is one of the best ways the region can encourage conservation and stretch the limited resource.

Q: Can I take water from the creek in my backyard to water my azaleas?

A: Yes. If you live on a lake or stream, you are entitled to a "reasonable use" of the water under state law. You do not need a permit to withdraw less than 100,000 gallons a day.

Q: I'm on a well, what about me?

A: Unless you withdraw more than 100,000 gallons a day, none of the rules apply. But state officials ask that you follow the rules, both for the sake of setting a good example and because the relationship between groundwater and surface water is not precisely understood in this region.

Q: OK, I have a bucket in my shower to water the roses and fill the bird bath; what else can I do?

A: Follow these tips:

> Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

> Run your dishwasher or washing machine only when they're full.

> Flush your toilet less often.

> Consider replacing old toilets with the low-flush variety. If you live in a house built before 1993, you may qualify for a rebate on your water bill through the regional water planning district (www.northgeorgiawater.com).

> Consider a rain barrel. They hold 50 to 80 gallons of water and are available at speciality stores, garden centers and home improvement stores.

> Turn off your lights. Power plants use more of Georgia's water from rivers and lakes than any other single sector.

Q: If ornamental fountains are supposed to be dry, why is the fountain at Centennial Olympic Park running?

A: Because people can play and cool off in it. Under state regulations, the Fountain of Rings is defined as a "zero-depth pool," or interactive fountain. It follows the same rules as swimming pools.

At least three other fountains in metro Atlanta are categorized as zero-depth pools. All are in Gwinnett County:

> Mall of Georgia

> Town Green in Duluth

> Big Splash in Suwanee's Town Center

Q. Is the drought going to foil summer recreation?

A: Mostly, no. Swimming pools will be open. Fireworks displays are still scheduled, but officials say that could change, depending on how much it rains, or doesn't, between now and July 4.

Lake Lanier is mostly open for business, but boaters need to slow down and take care until they relearn the lake and the locations of new and often submerged water hazards, said Chief Park Ranger Michael Lapina. Marinas are open, but most public boat ramps and designated swim areas are dry.

Lake Allatoona is full, but be aware that it could fall dramatically as summer progresses.

Venues such as horse riding arenas are allowed to spray water to control dust.

The Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers draws water from the Yellow River, said Lonnie Abercrombie, facilities manager. Even so, they have cut in half the water they spray on the arena.

Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta is following watering restrictions and using dust suppressing products, said manager Matt Casey.

Q: What's happening with businesses that use a lot of water?

A: Many are exempt from water-use restrictions, but some say they have been hurt by misconceptions that commercial car washes, pressure washing businesses and such are prohibited from using water.

Danny Ray, who owns Danny's Pressure Wash in Douglasville, said business has picked up with relaxed state restrictions but potential customers don't understand the rules for businesses. "They keep thinking they will get fined" if they hire a business to pressure wash a house or deck for painting, Ray said.

They won't. But homeowners may not do their own pressure washing, for now. The state EPD is considering allowing private use of pressure washers.

Professional landscapers are allowed to water new plantings for 10 weeks, but must follow the same rules as homeowners.

Q: Whom do I call when my neighbor is washing his car; will they fine him?

A: Local water departments are responsible for enforcing water restrictions and fines vary by jurisdiction.

Here where to call to report violators, plus maximum fines:

> Atlanta: 404- 982-1414; $1,000

> Clayton County: 770-961-2130, press 2; fines up to $500 per day

> Cobb County: 770-419-6278; $500

> DeKalb County: 770-270-6243; $1,000

> Douglas County: 770-949-7617; $1,000

> Fulton County: 770-640-3040; $1,000

> Gwinnett County: 678-376-7100; $1,000

> Henry County: (770) 957-6659, press 0; $500

Q: What are my elected officials doing to squeeze more water for the region?

A: The state Legislature created a new state agency this year to speed up building new drinking water reservoirs. It will help local governments with technical guidance and limited grants and loans totaling $120 million through June 2009. Seven new reservoirs in metro Atlanta were in the works before the agency's creation.

The region's water planning agency, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, is rewriting its 2003 plan. Preliminary drafts say the region will be able to continue growing on existing supplies through interbasin transfers (moving water from one river basin to another), new reservoirs and aggressive conservation.

YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES

Q: When can I water my grass and flowers?

A: The state sets the rules and a new law requires local jurisdictions to follow them, unless they get permission from the state to deviate.

The rules:

> No sprinklers. Use a handheld garden hose with an automatic shut-off only. And only one hose at a time.

> Water three days a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for houses with odd-numbered addresses and Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for houses with even-numbered addresses.

> Water between midnight and 10 a.m.

> Water for 25 minutes only.

> More liberal rules for new landscaping allow sprinklers for 10 weeks after planting new grass, shrubs, trees and flowers, on the three-day schedule and limited hours.

> To use the more lenient rules, homeowners must be certified through an online course given by the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council at www.urbanagcouncil.com. Certification is also available from each county's extension agent.

MORE INFORMATION

> Georgia Urban Agricultural Council —- Learn more about outdoor water use in Georgia: www.urbanagcouncil.com

> Georgia Environmental Protection Division: www.conservewatergeorgia.net

> California Urban Water Conservation Council —- Californians know how to live in a drought: www.h2ouse.org

> Georgia Lake Levels: www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/html/rrm.php

> Interactive map of watering restrictions: http://projects.ajc.com/maps/metro/metro-atlantas-water-rules/

> University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences —- drought updates: www.georgiadrought.org.

> Fulton County —- all things drought for Fulton residents: http://ww2.co.fulton.ga.us/county/dpw/

> DeKalb County —- Click on alerts bottom left for water information: www.co.dekalb.ga.us

> Cobb County —- Do's and don'ts: water.cobbcountyga.gov/outdoor.htm

> Gwinnett watering ban channel: http://digbig.com/4wxeh

> City of Atlanta drought and conservation information: www.atlantawatershed.org

GEORGIA HAS BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE

Georgia has endured long-term doughts before. Such droughts (three years or more) are determined by tree rings and the Palmer Drought Severity Index. Here are the dry years.

1756-1760

1762-1764

1797-1802

1855-1857

1896-1899

1925-1927

1954-1956

1998-2002

2006-present

WHERE TO GO FOR GARDENING ADVICE

> Elachee Nature Center: www.elachee.org

> Dunwoody Nature Center: www.dunwoodynature.org

> Chattahoochee Nature Center: www.chattnaturecenter.com

> DeKalb County Extension: www.co.dekalb.ga.us/extension

> Clayton County Extension: www.co.clayton.ga.us/extension_svc

> Cobb County Extension: county.ces.uga.edu/cobb/homepage.shtml

> Gwinnett County Extension: county.ces.uga.edu/gwinnett

> Master Gardeners: www.ugaextension.com/cherokee/MasterGardeners

Researchers Joni Zeccola and Schauna Wright contributed to this report.

 Illustration by WALTER CUMMING / Staff
Illustration of someone watering their lawn.

 MICHAEL DABROWA / Staff
SEVERITY OF DROUGHT
As of Tuesday

Intensity
Abnormally dry 
Moderate drought 
Severe drought 
Extreme drought 
 
Color coded map of Georgia shows varying levels of drought.

Source: http://drought.unl.edu/dm

 CHARLES W. JONES / Staff
DROUGHT INTENSIFIES
The rainfall deficit has grown steadily since the drought began in spring 2006. 
Line graph shows (from Jan. 2006 to current):
Cumulative deficit since January 2006 
Month-to-month deviation from 30-year average 

Current cumulative deficit since January 2006: -22.95 inch
Current month-to-month deviation from 30-year average: -.4 inch

Source: National Weather Service (data recorded at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport 
Research by STACY SHELTON / Staff