Columbia County officials are asking residents to be more conscious of their water usage.
Due to days of extreme heat, lawn irrigation has increased significantly around the area.
According to the drought monitor website, Richmond County is currently at a drought level zero, which is classified as abnormally dry. Columbia County is currently in a drought level one. A drought level one is classified as a moderate drought.
“We are just reminding everyone and letting know them to conserve because we are in a drought and if it gets worse, there will be water restrictions, but hopefully we will head that off and we can be prepared,” said Columbia County Director of Water Utilities Services Stacey Gordon.
In 2010, Georgia passed the Water Stewardship Act to prevent people from using water on their lawns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gordan says they noticed a lot of residents were watering during these times so a reminder was needed.
“We’re just reminding people it is not a good practice to water in the heat of the day, and it is better to water early in the morning when it can soak in before it gets too hot,” Gordon said.
There are currently no fines involved if people do use water on their lawn during these times, but if the drought gets worse, fines and restrictions may be more forced.
“Were not imposing any fines, were just trying to the word out and remind everyone,” Gordon said. “Were just wanting people to be smart about how they do it and when they water, so we can conserve. We are not asking people to reduce their showers or any of that yet.”
The city of Grovetown put out a message on social media asking residents to be more cautious of water usage, giving conservation efforts such as limiting outdoor irrigation to three days a week, taking shorter showers, washing fewer loads of clothes and more.
With more rain expected in the forecast this week, it should help the local drought from getting any worse in the area.
Richmond County has additional conservation guidelines according to the city of Augusta’s website.
An odd/even schedule is in effect for outdoor water usages such as power washing and car washing. Even numbered addresses may use water for these activities on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while odd-numbered addresses are permitted to use the outdoor water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
There are no restrictions on “drip irrigation, irrigation with soaker hoses, hand water and water of personal food gardens,” the website said.
