5-23-2008

Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority Seeks Less
Restrictive Outdoor Watering Rules for Its Customers

The Cherokee County Water & Sewerage Authority (“CCWSA”) announced today that it has filed a petition with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (“EPD”) requesting that CCWSA be allowed to move immediately to the Level IVc Modified Drought Response. Level IVc Modified Drought Response allows outdoor water use on scheduled days between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00AM, with odd numbered addresses able to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and even numbered addresses able to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. CCWSA has adequate raw water resources to safely supply increased demand that will likely accompany relaxed drought response water use restrictions. CCWSA General Manager Tom Heard said, “Our drought contingency preparations over the past number of years and our outstanding conservation measures demonstrate our ability to appropriately use and adequately manage our potable water supply at the less restrictive Level IVc Modified Drought Response.” The petition process is provided for as part of HB1281 that was signed into law by Governor Purdue on May 14, 2008. Under the law, EPD must render its decision on a petition within five business days. According to Mr. Heard, “We hope to have a response in a few days.” The keystone drought protection action CCWSA took on behalf of its customers was the building of the Lathem Drought Contingency Reservoir. The Lathem Reservoir was placed into operation in 2000. This reservoir is used to supplement flow in the Etowah River when our withdrawals exceed 6.5 million gallons per day (MGD) in 24 hours or 5.4 MGD on a monthly average when the river flow at our Etowah River Water Treatment Facility is less than or equal to 192 cubic feet per second. CCWSA constructed this drought contingency reservoir in response to the drought events of the late 1980’s to assure its customer base a reliable and highly drought resistant water supply. “The level of drought protection built by CCWSA for its customers is among the very best in Georgia,” said CCWSA Board Chairman Don Stevens.
The Lathem Reservoir is currently full. The reservoir holds approximately 10,865 acre-feet (3.54 billion gallons) at full pool. The maximum safe dependable yield of the Etowah River with supplementation from the drought contingency reservoir is 36 MGD as a monthly average per CCWSA withdrawal permit 028-1416-01. The maximum safe dependable yield was approved and permitted by EPD based upon historical recurrence of drought and historical rainfall patterns, including particularly dry periods in the 1950’s and the 1980’s. The CCWSA Etowah River Water Treatment Facility is permitted to treat up to 38 MGD average. This facility presently can supply more than double its current demands under the Level IV Drought Response restrictions. The treatment capability can easily handle increased volumes of potable water that may accompany a shift to Level IVc Modified Drought Response. Additionally, the CCWSA distribution system has adequate storage and delivery capacity to deliver additional water to its service area.

For further information, contact Dwight Turner at: (770) 479-1813 x232

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9-28-2007

Note that we are now at Drought Response Level Four - There are new watering restrictions in place. Click for more information.