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Should you or shouldn’t you call water cops on neighbors?

By Rick Badie | Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 06:12 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It didn’t rain Tuesday night.

But the lawn and roses looked especially spry at this particular house in Lawrenceville.

Richard Pate parked his county truck alongside the curve for a closer look. He got out and ran his fingers through the grass in the front yard.

“Pretty wet,” he said Wednesday.

Wood chips and the bottom half of a side fence were wet, too.

Yet the woman who came to the door professed ignorance. She told Pate that she’d just returned from vacation. She said her lawn crew may have watered the landscape, but she didn’t know for sure. She hadn’t seen any workers stirring.

Pate issued a warning anyway. Next time, he explained, there would be a $1,000 fine.

“I hate doing that to people,” he said as he climbed back into the driver’s seat. “Normally people know when they are in the wrong. She may not know. But there’s definitely been some watering going on this morning.”

In these parts, every drop of water counts. Lake levels are dim. The state is at a Level 4 drought, and because of that, outdoor residential watering has been banned.

Though the region may be blessed today, Mother Nature hasn’t provided the rain to fill reservoirs and erase a deficit. So we all should conserve. That means taking shorter showers, and turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth - doing things we should do anyway, not just in crisis.

But what about neighbors?

Should one’s concern for conservation creep into our neighbor’s yard? Do we ignore those who skirt the law to wash cars and maintain lush lawns?

Should neighbors turn in neighbors, call the water cops?

Generally, “yes,” said David Word, spokesman for the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, which takes in Gwinnett. But he offered a caveat.

“That kind of question presents more things to consider than water - the relationship with neighbors, how long you’ve known them, whether they have a mean dog at home,” he said.

“But taking action - whether friendly, suggestive or through the neighborhood association, I think - is appropriate. Most people, if a neighbor came by in a friendly way, would respond.”

The other day, my daughter, Olivia, rode her scooter while I followed in tow. Down the street, a neighbor had his front-yard sprinklers going full blast. I didn’t know him, but I approached and asked if he knew about the watering ban. He grunted something indiscernible but cut off the sprinklers.

In Gwinnett, people generally adhere to the restrictions. Usually, a written warning is all it takes, Pate said. The county has issued about 200 warnings and about 20 citations since the state banned outdoor water use Sept. 28.

“We get 15 to 30 e-mails a day from people reporting other people, and over 100 phone calls,” he said. “But our customers are starting to realize how serious this is.”

Pate’s a backflow prevention supervisor for the county Department of Water Resources. He’s also one of a dozen or so employees who’s a sworn officer of the court, empowered to carry a badge and write citations.

If they see water-ban violations while out on their “real jobs,” they address it. They also respond to citizen complaints when radioed about an accused offender whose address is in the vicinity of their work assignment.

Pate has taken several national and local TV news crews on ride-alongs, so he had no problem Wednesday accommodating the Badie Tour. Even when sprinklers are absent, this water cop knows to check for smoking guns.

Wet driveways. Water streaming down the curb or from the front yard. Hoses that appear to have been stretched to reach the front yard.

Little things.

Permalink | Comments (115) | Post your comment | Categories: The Badie Tour

Comments

By El Bubba

October 17, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

If everyone takes shorter showers we can build more subdivisions.

By baugus

October 17, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Move to Big Canoe. They have their own reservoir and no Corps of Engineers jurisdiction.

By LC

October 17, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Clayton County sheriff says no water shortage! Has all of his cars being washed back of the jail daily. So why should I call the water police?

By Dr. Feel Good

October 17, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

I have called the law on 12 of my neighbors already.

So selfish, they act like democrats.

By Opinionated One

October 17, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

CALL the COPS, turn the dirty dogs in. If I can’t waste water, nobody should. Pssss I flush my toilet when I pee, so I can waste my part. HaHaHa

By Jon

October 17, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

How do you turn in all the Corporate Campuses with the automatic sprinklers that water the streets even when it’s pouring rain? Until the “authorities” start cracking down on blatant waste of water, I’ll shower as long as I damn well please, I’ll water my shrubs, and I’ll wash my car.

By GR

October 17, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Where exactly do we call to report a violation? One of my neighbors is in her own little world that apparently doesn’t have a water shortage. She waters all the time and lets her kids play with the hose, water balloons, etc. She needs to be warned or fined.

By comp133xi7y

October 17, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Democrats are selfish, now? Talk about convoluted logic…

Last time I checked, it’s the Repubs who don’t care if the middle class lives or dies.

By mlc

October 17, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Where do we call to report the Department of Natural Resources? Until they stop draining Lake Lanier, reporting your neighbors is just petty!

By Bruce Wicox

October 17, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

Several jurisdictions around the country have crafted policies that specifically require a link between water availability and development. Not the other way around like we have in Gwinnett and Georgia.

Just back from a vacation in Arizona and knowing they have been in serious drought situation far longer than we have I looked into how they handled the problem. As stated above the biggest weapon is the water availability and development law. It is up to the developer to prove the water availability will be there.

Interesting, I sent a copy of the article with the link to a contact in the Arizona state government to one of our commissioners and one state senator, that was almost two weeks ago, so far nothing?

Dr. Feel Good, I was thinking it could only be a Republican that would peek from behind drawn curtains to spy on their neighbors, Homeland Security is proud of you.

By MaryFrancis

October 17, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

What does it matter if we VENT and email the authorities when nothing is done about it? I don’t think anyone knows how serious this is to the whole state. it’s not by county, it’s the whole state. If we the little guys are a little less selfish and conserve than we CAN make a difference. AND this applies to all the corps, business parks, and subdision entrances. NO ONE is above the law. LET’S give stiff fines to those who do violate. MAKE an example of a business park like the one I saw driving on PIB and PP… Hey, Siemans, Tech Business Park, what’s your excuse???

AND no it’s not the DEMS, it’s the Republicans who do most of the self righteous above the Law BS, thank you. And this coming from a true Republican.

By Common Sense

October 17, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

You Gestapo snitches need a Zyclon B shower at Auschwitz. Takes a real weaselly self-righteous mean-spirited creep to rat out neighbors to the lousy coppers over a sprinkler, even if the selfish idiots are watering dumb, damn grass. Water-wasters and tattle-tales, curse ye both.

By El Bubba

October 17, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

If we build more houses the water will come.

By Lowell

October 17, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Why haven’t our state officials already gone to court seeking a TRO against the Corps of Engineers releasing excess water from Buford Dam?

By Doug

October 17, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

I’m sure some of these people who refuse to abide by the mandatory water restrictions are the same ones who scream about illegal immigrants “having no regard for our laws.”

By Bruce Wicox

October 17, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Lowell they have taken it to court and the Army Corp of Engineers hides behind we only follow orders any changes have to come from the Federal government. You would think that Georgia beig such a red state all Sonny would have to do is pick-up the phone to get some action.

By John

October 17, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

To Common Sense- If you’re not watering your lawn then you have nothing to worry about right?

Water away…I’ll continue to call if I see it. I find a great deal of pleasure in getting people in trouble.

By TakeTheDam

October 18, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Take back the Buford Dam. Alabama has no watering restrictions and Florida residents can water their Camaros anytime they want. Why are we suffering?

By Rainmaker

October 18, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Has anyone ever considered how the guy next door might react if you just turned him in for a water violation, and you have a heart attack in the yard or your house begins to burn from an electrical connection? He or she might just look the other way and let you wait on the water police for help.

By Common Sense

October 18, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this

John-boy, no I personally have nothing to to “worry” about, since I don’t expend one drop on the stupid watering of grass or washing of car. I merely hate, loathe, despise and abominate a tattle-tale. A snitch like you should be strung up. Castration, of course, would not apply to a weasel like you.

By Pax Nunc

October 18, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this

How about approaching your damp neighbor with a friendly and diplomatic word of advice and request? Instead of a stealthy and cowardly ‘rat him out to the po-leece’ approach? But, you won’t. It’s much easier to be a button-pushing poltroon, a gutless snitch — than a Tolerant Friend.

By Mike In Woodstock

October 18, 2007 5:19 AM | Link to this

Whew! I sure am glad that I don’t live in any of your neighborhoods. Mine is a snitch free zone. It even spells it out in the covenants. And just to remind my neighbors, I always wear my “Nobody Likes A Snitch” t-shirt with the giant rat on it whenever I do water my lawn. It sort of serves as a friendly reminder. Besides that, the 5 year olds at the front entrance always ring my cell whenever the cops or water dept. comes through on patrol. Life is pretty good here!

By WaterWaterEveryDay

October 18, 2007 5:51 AM | Link to this

All the conservation in the world isn’t going to amount to anything as long as developers are allowed to build new buildings unchecked and as long as the lakes are being drained at the rates mandated by the courts so why should I let my plants wither in the mean time. The end of the water will come when it comes.

By SendInTheGuard

October 18, 2007 6:01 AM | Link to this

Why can’t the governor send in the National Guard to take control of the the lakes?

By Sandy F

October 18, 2007 6:19 AM | Link to this

The folks at the condo complex at 55 Delmont Drive in Garden Hills apparently haven’t heard of a watering ban, because those lawns are getting watered daily!

By robo

October 18, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this

Question

If your dog smells like a combination of a$$, puke, and something unrecognizably putrid, does washing him violate the ban????

Don’t bother saying wash him in the tub. The dog is too big and just knows death awaits him in the tub and will tear anything up to escape from that torture.

By ggg

October 18, 2007 7:00 AM | Link to this

——Democrats are selfish, now? Talk about convoluted logic�

Last time I checked, it�s the Repubs who don�t care if the middle class lives or dies.—-

I’ll second that comment.

By Hamilton

October 18, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this

The entire stretch of neighborhoods in the Hamilton Mill area need to have their outdoor water shut off. Every morning on my drive on Ham Mill Road, from 124 to Jim Moore, the streets are soaked from the ignorant watering of all the subdivision entrances. Who do I call about that?????

By wayne

October 18, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

With all of the building going on & clayton (and other) sheriffs having their cars washed, I’m going back to wasting the water! Suppose to rain today, buy I’m washing my car just for fun!

By Monica

October 18, 2007 7:37 AM | Link to this

Well, I have zero lawn in my backyard, low flow shower heads, 1.5 gal flush toilets, haven’t washed my car since I bought it almost 10 years ago (it just gets dirty again), water my houseplants with water from my dehumidifier .. BUT I have a small patch of lawn in the front and I’m going to water it.

My water bill, by the way is usually $25 - $30 .. I think you have to look at the whole picture.

By waiting on 2008

October 18, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this

To ggg and comp133xi7y. Go back and check the records. With Clinton (democrate) in office the recesion was coming on strong and unemployment was very high. You cant hide facts there bub.

By jd

October 18, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Why does it make a difference if you use the water inside or outside. We should be charged for the amount of water we use. After you go over a certain amount, the price per gallon increases.

As far as reporting my neighbors? That depends. If they are uphill from me and their water is helping my yard, I’m keeping my mouth shut. That’s how we do things in Gwinnett. It’s all about me, right?

By Chester Dilbeck

October 18, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

I would like to know why Businesses like Home Depot and others are allowed to wasate millions of gallons on their lawn, and homeowners have to let their lawns die from the drought!

By MaryFrancis

October 18, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Doug, I second that! You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! WHINERS re. Illegal Immigrants = Law breakers!

By village idiot

October 18, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

C’mon people we gotta save because the same people in here complaining about people turning in people for watering are the same fools who will be complaining when the water runs out. Think people! Just because there are no restrictions yet on commercial use doesn’t mean you can’t make your own conscious efforts at home. You don’t need to wait for a disaster to react. Quit being so stupid and selfish.

By Lance

October 18, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Ok, this is not a pollitical debate. But since it was brought up. Maybe Hillary and her crooked husband can fix the water problems by raising taxes like crazy. Democrats suck!!!

By Smacktard

October 18, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Bring down Tommy and Rumble from fm99. The ATL market is completely dry of talent for radio. Cant wait for more cheap ad gimmics from star’s radio talent.

By Eric

October 18, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

Can we turn in businesses too? Until citizens see businesses, that DO NOT have to have perfect landscaping, turning off their systems, they will not feel the need to turn of their own.

By Happy in Conyers

October 18, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

Purdue, if you are going to stop the wasting of water, please also stop the issuing of vehicles to state employees. I don’t appreciate my tax dollars going to personal use vehicles. I am so tired of this one who works for the Real Estate Commission. She goes home via I-20 East and I have seen her using her state issued vehicle while shopping at walmart. I think there needs to be an audit regarding those vehicles.

By b.o.o.h.o.o.

October 18, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

We’ve made our society dependent on fossil fuels; that’s why we’re fighting a war in Iraq. As humans, the number one thing we are dependent on is WATER. Think there can’t be warring over that? In a country where people are legally (and illegally) armed? Try to think a little bit into the future. If our “leaders” had done that, we would have been in the warning and conserving stage at least a year ago.

By HA

October 18, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

SNITCHES END UP IN DITCHES!!!!

By What Ban?

October 18, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Sorry, but once the water comes through my water meter, it is MY water to do with as I see fit.

When I buy a car the dealership or manufacture does not have the right to tell me when or where I can and cannot drive my car. Same goes for the water I purchase. Once my water meter records that water has flowed past it, then that water is mine. Not the city, county or state.

You want to save water? Quit building new houses, apartments and business.

Unless you have a warrant, stay the H3LL off my property!

Trespassers WILL be shot!

By bebe

October 18, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Gwinnett Co. police itself? Watering going on in parks being constructed, year round swimming pools using too much water every day. Before you go out and write citizens, make sure you police yourself first.

By David, Atl Native

October 18, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

I think that if you confront your neighbor first and be democratic about it, making the point that water is a finite resource, then that’s the way to go. If the neighbor still doesn’t get it, then they should be reported.

Politics put aside, the drought affects us all, and it should be taken seriously. Gov. Purdue along with local tv stations and media should be urging the public on a daily basis to watch how they use their water. It’s not that difficult.

By Kunifa

October 18, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

Everyone RELAX !!! Don’t you know what time of the year it is..We ARE in Atlanta where it will soon rain every other day until May…so the Lakes WILL fill up and you can then in June 2008 n start saying the “sky is falling” again until November 2009… this happens every year since the population explosion of the Atlanta area.. or have more NASCAR races :)

By The National Guard

October 18, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Is in Iraq you idiot.

By Karin in Marietta

October 18, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Waiting for 2008 - How ignorant are you? The recession began before Ronnie left office! Unemployment numbers went down during Clinton. I bet you’re still looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq!!!!!

By Soryu

October 18, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Until the Corps stops pumping out billions of gallons of water a day to Alabama and Florida, any conservation on your part will be a token effort. It may make you feel good, but it won’t help anyone around here.

And I have better things to do than join the Stasi, water division, volunteer brigade. But as for you water snitches you are the same type that allowed the Stasi in the GDR to be so successful and when the US becomes truly a tyrannical state—and it moves closer to this point each day—I am sure you’ll be good little citizens and report your neighbors for other “crimes” like maybe complaining about the government. The above poster was right. If your house catches fire or you suffer a heart attack, I wouldn’t think too badly of the neighbors your snitched on to have better things to do at the moment than worry about your house or your life.

By peaches

October 18, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Atlanta has received half of its normal waterfall this year and the water supply is in serious jeopardy. Yet this blog is full of people who are so wrapped up in the democrat republican struggle that they only see political opportunity. We get complaints and attacks, not any constructive action or dialog. They are so full of hate that they can’t think straight.

By so peaches........

October 18, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

exactly what are you contributing other than an insult?

By David

October 18, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

2810 Livsey Trail in Tucker is a habitual offender. Their grass, driveway and street are wet every morning.

By Larry

October 18, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

The Gestapo relied almost entirely upon people telling on their neighbors. They had neither the manpower or intelligence to create the world’s most powerful police force without snitches. I will approach my neighbors and remind them that because of unfettered growth, we don’t have enough water for our common uses. I will ask them to help change a government which allowed this unfettered growth with no vision of future water, traffic, health care, etc. problems. I will snitch on them for breaking legitimate laws which protect our civilization, but not for the short sightedness of politicians!

BTW, I haven’t watered one blade of grass, washed one car tire or even rinsed out a bucket since the new rules went into place. I will do my part to save water because I know the idiots we’ve elected to power will keep signing building permits until we don’t have water to drink, but I won’t snitch on my neighbor.

In 1984 the Cobb County commissioners sent out a little green card with the water or power bill asking what three things we would like to see done to make Cobb County a better place to live. I said 1) stop the growth, 2) stop the growth and 3) stop the growth. I wasn’t prophetic. Our government is just blind to anything that doesn’t bring them power and money.

By Rickie

October 18, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

turning into a snitch is sort of sad state for a person. NO..I would not call the water police on my neighbor, instead I would personally say something to him, if he stops …good for him…if he ignores it and continues to use outdoor water…poot on him for being an egoistic b*******! He’ll get caught one way or the other.

By nice david

October 18, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

this will make it easier for your neighbors to find out who reported them. Just google their address and up pops your name. Sweet

By Ken Myers

October 18, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

If you want to make your life a living hell with your neighbors, go for it, and turn them in to the water police. But what comes around goes around. You can expect your neighbors to complain about every little thing that you are doing. Do people reaally want to put up with that BS constantly? I doubt it.

By Greg

October 18, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Rick, as a Community Assoc manager at a local company w/ approx 200 props, we can do nothing if it is their property, only ask them to stop. If it is a condo assn, where the owners do not own the yard, (assoc does) and they water it and we pay the bill w/ assoc funds, then we can take action. We are advising owners to just call the water company in an HOA where a neighbor is in violation outside the scope of the associations legal boundaries. We simply can not police something if its not permitted in writing in the community’s controlling documents. We have found success in neighbors talking to neighbors first, and then bring in more “power” assoc manager or HOA board, sometimes a neighbor likes a riendly face to bring him the news, not a stranger by phone or mail.

By Greg

October 18, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

I see the Sandy Springs City Hall waters on my way to work everyday….

By Doug

October 18, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

While the water police are scouring our neighborhoods, the DOT is allowing workers to water the new grass seed scattered on the medians of I-75 in Cobb. So glad that the government is so conservation-minded…

By DecaturDog

October 18, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Hey…Common Sense…

You don’t have any.

By Michael H. Smith

October 18, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Water Cops, where were they when they may have actually done some good? Too busy pushing high density housing and building waste into every part of development along the construction pathway.

To the politicians in this state from both parties, you people should be the first to have your water use restricted.

To my City of Lawrenceville government present and most importantly of the past, your efforts have likely gone unnoticed for many years, soon we�re going to need those wells you visionaries have worked on to bring the City residence much needed water. Unfortunately, because of the myopic others the aquifer has suffered substantially.

To City Councilman Clark, keep our conversation in the front of your mind please. To Commissioner Green keep up the fight, your work will prove invaluable going forward and you are the county�s best hope for an oasis in Gwinnett. To my state Senator and state Representative, would you two gentlemen like to reconsider your agendas, still think I�m full of hot air for harping so long about things like pervious paving, harvesting rainwater from rooftops and Xeriscaping (i.e. using natural vegetation and heavy mulching)? Do remind me gentlemen when toilets can only be flushed once or twice a day and morning coffee is limited to one cup, how traffic congestion trumps the water issue?

“You never miss the water till the well runs dry.”

By jonny

October 18, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

The only way I would report a neighbor is if we already were feuding. Otherwise, I’m not going to start junk with my neighbors.

By GR

October 18, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

To clarify why I would snitch - my neighbor is the type that is ALWAYS right. I’ve already tried to gently remind her about the water restrictions durign her water balloon party and she basically ignored me.

By SoWhat

October 18, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I’ll bet Sonny-boy isn’t taking shorter showers!!!

By ChrisFromChatt

October 18, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

I don’t live in Atlanta anymore but if I were still a resident I think that I’d organize groups of Georgians to gather together to protest the sending of ONE MORE DROP of water to Alabama or Florida! It is inconceivable to me that the Corps of Engineers could be so dim-witted as to supply others when there is a MAJOR shortage in metro Atlanta and Georgia. Unbelievable ignorance!

By bebe

October 18, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

@ GR: She’s always right and you always have the last word. Two peas in a pod. They just can’t stand looking at themselves.

By Soryu

October 18, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

GR:

Are you sure water ballons would be in violation? If I fill a bunch of water ballons inside and then use them out is it a violation? I don’t see anything that bans them, do you?

It list things like washing your car, lawn and landscape watering (food gardens are exempt in case you are curious), etc but nothing about water ballons.

By don

October 18, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I guess we need to conserve so that we can send all the saved water down to Alabama and Florida. The amount of water being released from Lake Lanier makes you sick.

By woody

October 18, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

I’m a hardcore grassman. I had the landscaper install/reseed the lawn. I have an exemption. SO P** OFF. As of right now It’s my right to water!

Until they take my exemption away.

Don’t blame the homeowner and put total problem on us. It’s the freekin State, Fed, and County idiots who are causing the water problems. Total mismanagement by all of them.

Then add all the stupid businesses like COKE taking Atlanta water for Dasani and Stone Mountains making Snow. I’m sure theres more…..

The waterban has only saved 10 percent. It’s not major compared to all the water wasting blunders of our government along with Corporation greed.

By lk

October 18, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

The watering restrictions should take in the total water usage of a household. What’s to keep me from watering my lawn but taking 30 minute showers (except common sense)? Or letting the water in the sink run needlessly, not fixing leaks inside etc. We need to get the whole picture in focus. If each household had a maximum amount of water to use and either not have water or pay a much higher fee, then we could determine whether we were willing to trade shorter showers, fewer laundry loads for lawn watering or car washing. Banning outdoor watering is only monitoring the visible activities because it’s easier, but not necessarily making a real dent in the water usage.

By Al

October 18, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

The Corps is not dimwitted, they are following the law. If you want to know the source of the problem, look to the tree hugging hippies who pushed for the federal laws that require the release of water to keep animals alive downstream. If they didn’t release the water, they would be sued by every left-wing nutjob that believes that people should keep all species alive at all costs. Last I heard, some species are lost through natural selection, and by releasing more water than would be in the rivers had we not built a dam, we are intervening in the process. So let nature take it’s course.

By BeeJay

October 18, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

We have a neighbor who washed his truck on Saturday and pressure washed his driveway on Sunday. On Sunday, we stopped and told him/reminded him there was a total watering ban. He said he thought it just meant he couldn’t water his lawn. On Tuesday, his sprinklers were going. We called him in. The threat of using up water is not to be taken lightly. We called not because it isn’t fair, but because we are genuinely concerned about wasted water. People who think they are arrogantly above the law need to toe the line, too, for all our sakes.

By BeeJay

October 18, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Just because businesses or the government wastes water doesn’t mean I can or should. The attitudes of some posters is alarming.

By Matt

October 18, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

I agree with Al. Humans come first and we need all the water we can conserve right now. 99X has a “Screw the Mussels” campaign going on during their morning radio show for that very reason.

By ChrisFromChatt

October 18, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with Al as well. I should have known that the problems were caused by “left-wing nut jobs.” This is the “snail darter” story of the 70s here in Tennessee. Seriously … do you WAIT to make an educated decision on animals or humans being more important? Get off of your hands now government and make a move!

By Pandora

October 18, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

I just think that it is pitiful how neighbors are ‘tattling’ on each other. That is so childish! What these big mouth tattling neighbors DON’T realize is that they will be neighbors with those people they are tattling on so much longer than the water ban will be in effect. They should think about that. Everyone need their neighbors from time to time and those people that tattle on thier neighbors will not have one person in their entire neighborhood that they will be able to depend on! Some of you may think that you don’t need your neighbor, but you do. If you don’t need them today, trust me you will need them another day and they will NOT be there for you.

I think that people should respect the water ban, but if I see a neighbor watering their lawn, plants, washing their car or dog I’m NOT going to report them!!!

That is crazy!

By Bruce Wicox

October 18, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

In todays paper, ” A 378-unit apartment complex is on tap for land along Satellite Boulevard near Woodward Mill Road in Buford. Davis Development of Stockbridge wants to build the complex on hilly, stream-riven land just southwest of the Buford city limits.”

That’s a lot of showers. Any bets on the commissioners approval?

By Pandora

October 18, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

BeeJay,

You need to mind your business! I hope that your neighbor read this and whip your behind! What he does in his yard on his property is NOT your business period! You will need him one day and when that day comes he will not be there for you!

By BeeJay

October 18, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

No, Pandora, YOU are wrong. When the entire southeast is desperate for water, with no relief in sight, and somebody thinks he or she doesn’t have to obey the law trying to prevent even more shortage or isn’t educated enough to care about the shortage, everyone is affected by his or her short-sighted, arrogant actions. If you don’t care whether our water is being conserved properly by everyone, there’s not anything I can do. Hardheadedness and casting a blind eye isn’t going to help the situation. It isn’t about “tattling,” it’s about a problem affecting a very large community.

By Soryu

October 18, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

BeeJay:

How are you helping anyone other than those in Alabama and Florida and the purple bank climber and fat three ridge? The only thing you are doing is helping the Corps send even more water to them. When the Corps and FWS decide to start conserving water themselves, then I’ll think about it myself.

By Sagegirl

October 18, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

If those who are watering and breaking the law would simply stop, then there would be no need to ‘tattle’ on anyone. NEWS FLASH… There’s a water shortage people! The lakes are going DRY! So tell me, what are you gonna do in three months when there’s no water to drink, flush, bathe, etc? Is your grass/shrubs, that are btw going dormant really that important to you? Where’s your priorities and common sense? Oh, yeah.. forgot. This is Georgia.

By BeeJay

October 18, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Sagegirl, thank you. I’m a Georgia native but I have to agree with you that as a state we’re acting pretty dumb.

Yeah right, my showering in less time or not breaking the ban is “helping” the Army Corps of Engineers. Good grief, people! You act like those who didn’t believe the moon landingt in 1969. Worse, you act like moronic hillbillies without enough sense to see past your noses.

I believe every little bit helps. I intend to keep helping in every little bitty way I can, despite those who adopt the attitude that it doesn’t do any good, that it somehow “helps” anybody or anything (go figure), or who have decided all the remaining water belongs to them as long as they can get their greedy hands on it and everybody else be damned. I don’t live that way.

By Noelle

October 18, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Absolutely I’d report people. I live in an apartment complex, so I don’t have neighbors watering yards to report, but I reported the people who were running the car wash area all day on Saturday (either washing all their friends’ cars or running an illegal business, not sure which). I told complex management the water should be shut off completely at the car wash area. They haven’t done it, though — this morning some guy was washing his car. Never mind that it was raining at the time, with more on the way. Some people are just that stupid.

By bebe

October 18, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Beejay, when you look in the dictionary and find the word persnickety one would think there would be a picture of an old maid school teacher, but your picture is there. With see word that rhymes with brick.

By Soryu

October 18, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

BeeJay:

Believe what you want. But your conservation isn’t going to do anything until the Corps stops the outflows. They released 2.6 BILLION gallons early this week—in a single day. That would have been enough to satisfy the metro region for seven days. The only thing you are doing is giving them more water to release.

But if following the ban and taking shorter showers makes you feel good, go for it, just be aware that it does about as much good as spitting at heaven.

By BeeJay

October 18, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Thanks for proving my point, bebe, about moronic hillbillies - those people who criticize law-abiders in oh so “clever” ways.

And yea, abiding by the ban’s rules makes me feel better. So there.

By Dennis Willis

October 18, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

I am selling my house and need to paint it. I called 6 businesses to come out and pressure wash my house since only commercial businesses can use my water for outdoor use. Nobody would call me back so I did it myself. Neighbor got mad and so I explained the situation to him. He’s now doing his own house too. My goal is to get the whole neighborhood to save their own money instead of giving it to others to use the same amount of water.

By Eric

October 18, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Finally! Relief for the subdivision shortage!

And here I was trying to take shorter baths so more Hummers could go to the carwash — I completely forgot about our endangered subdivisions…

By bebe

October 18, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

Is “moronic hillbillies” the best you can do. You’re such an animal, I am so scared.

By Laura

October 18, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

Would I report my neighbors? Hmmm…most of them don’t speak English. I’ve already reported them for running businesses out of their homes, parking 10 trucks in the driveway, etc. Nothing was done. ALthough it was kind of fun when I reported my neighbor for outdoor burning during the ban, and the fire department showed up.

By Makes No Sense

October 18, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

I drive by the same Sandy Springs neighborhood every morning and their sprinklers are always going and mostly watering the street! This morning I was fet up with it and decided to call on them. So I call the number from their website at 8am in the morning and are told that the hold time exceeds 30 minutes. Yeah, not only is it a waste of water, but a waste of time also!

By jtc

October 18, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Man,reading this article makes me so happy that I don’t live in a cardboard house with 2 feet clearance on each side of a nosey neighbor!

By tmc

October 18, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Lake Jackson is still over full pool. We have 9ft at the end of our dock when we normally have only 8 1/2.

By Bathtubbucketbetty

October 18, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

I’ve never seen so many self-righteous and selfish people in my life. If I see you watering, I’m calling it in. I have the Gwinnett violation number on speed dial:

678-376-7100

Take a good look folks at the true spirit of Gwinnett. No one gives a hoot about banding together for the greater good. This is as red as it gets - Dubya would be so proud. This is probably the last place on earth he could get elected.

By JoeD

October 18, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Agree with BathtubBetty,,, we have a temporary ban on watering put in place for the common good.Get over it. Abide by the rules that make up a society. Scofflaws all need to be turned in. These are the same people that cut in line in traffic, drive down the emergency lane, run red lights, water their lawns and believe it their right to do so. I have a friend who takes pride in watering when ever he wants,,, he laughs about it. What an attitude! BTW he is still my friend.

By CYNTHIA

October 18, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this