The next two months could determine the fate of swimming pools for this summer
According to state regulations (via an article in the AJC), we need to have four consecutive months of “continued improvement” before they can consider downgrading us from the Level 4 drought that we’re currently in. Under the current restrictions, outdoor pools won’t be allowed to open this summer.
January seemed rather rainy (and snowy), but it was still about 1-1/2 inches below normal. This means that our next opportunity would be if February, March, April and May all showed improvement, at which point the restrictions could be eased and pools could possibly open. Interestingly, the AJC claims that good rain in February-May means that July would be the first possible month pools could open. They also say that if we don’t get rain until March-June, then August would be the first possible month they could open. They seem to be inserting a fifth month in there. Am I missing something here, or are they just wrong again?
Despite all of this, Carol Couch of the Environmental Protection Division has the power to grant exemptions. This means that she could choose to allow all pools to open this summer in spite of the drought. She plans to have her list of recommendations to Gov. Perdue by today, after which he can decide whether or not to accept her ideas. I would expect an announcement from him regarding this sometime next week.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 am
Last storm dropped over 2 inches of rain at my property at Stone Mountain, east of Atlanta. Most rain in several months. If this becomes a trend, then the drought could be easing, but otherwise it looks bad this summer.
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
your worried about swimming pools………WAKE UP!!!!
February 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
This blog contains a lot more information than just pools.
Pools are a concern though; they are meant to be filled with water
or their structure could become compromised. In hindsight, I
wish we had not purchased a home with a pool when we bought
our last home over ten years ago. But today is today and we
are pool owners as well as home and property owners.
If I had had access to information like this ten years ago, I
would have bought a home without a pool. This is good information
for people to be aware of.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Jason,
I suggest you read the blogs on previous posts for a thorough background before making such a comment. Swimming pools are a very big part of Atlanta, and A LOT of people are concerned about the possibility of them not opening this summer.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Today gov. Perdue eased outdoor watering restrictions,dont know if its because the drought is lessening(not) or he caved to pressure from gardening and landscaping.Announcement on pools supposed to be later today.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
[...] summer. Had Perdue not taken this step, it’s unlikely that pools could have opened due to continuing Level 4 drought restrictions. This decision affects all 61 north Georgia counties affected by the water-use ban, and it goes [...]