No official watering restrictions are in place — yet — for metro Atlanta, but Georgians may only water their lawns and landscapes between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. If the state declares a drought, the following restrictions kick in:
Level One drought: Requires public water systems to educate customers about conditions and encourages conservation.
Level Two drought: Limits outdoor watering to two days a week on an odd-even schedule. Even-numbered addresses may water Wednesdays and Saturdays (4 p.m. to 10 a.m.) and odd-numbered addresses may water Thursdays and Sundays (4 p.m. to 10 a.m.). No water for outdoor fountains, car washes or power washing of homes.
Level Three drought: Prohibits all outdoor irrigation of landscapes. Food gardens may be watered between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. (Soaker hoses and drip irrigation may be used any time.) Hand watering allowed during designated hours. Golf course irrigation limited.
Despite repeated bouts of scattered showers and storms, more metro Atlanta areas are enduring extreme drought conditions.
The city of Atlanta, its northern suburbs and some of its southern suburbs, all of Cobb County and most of Cherokee County have entered the U.S. Drought Monitor's extreme drought range, according to The Associated Press.
No Georgia areas have yet entered the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most intense range of exceptional drought.
There has been some improvement over Rabun County, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said.
However, most of Georgia is experiencing abnormally dry conditions at best and extreme drought conditions at worst.
When Lake Lanier, metro Atlanta's main water source, is full, the water stands at 1,071 feet. Water stood at 1,066.26 feet Friday, according to the National Weather Service. That's slightly lower than it was last week (1,066.42 feet).
Rainfall last seven days: 0.11
Rainfall this month: 1.04
Rainfall deficit since June: 3.47
Rainfall deficit for the year: 5.04
Note: Values in inches as of end of day Thursday.
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