Drought? What drought?
Sure, we're short of rain around here, and the creeks and wells are low, and they're already tapping the Susquehanna River to ease the pressure on Baltimore's reservoirs. But this isn't Atlanta. I received this email this morning from former Marylander Janice Nuckols:
"You should come here to Atlanta! County I live in has had mandatory water restrictions for 2 years. I’m seriously considering planting cactus next year. I’ve called the “water police” on people who wash their cars or use water outdoors. Can’t water outdoors, nurseries are going bankrupt and landscapers are out of jobs. Car washes can only operate if they recycle the water.
"We’re 20” down for the year. They say next year isn’t any better. Our governor and Alabama and Florida fight over water all the time.
"A few weeks ago I saw people buying 5 gallon bottles of water to stock pile in the grocery store.
"A couple of months ago, Stone Mountain was making snow with millions of gallons of water for a winter attraction on a day that was 80 degrees. The outrage from people was unreal. Stone Mountain stopped making the snow.
"All the fountains in downtown Atlanta are off and the Braves can’t maintain the grass playing field unless they prove that they’re using stored water that is kept under the surface in tanks. "The reservoir that supplies water to county I live in is all but dried up. Wells are drying up and people who live in subdivisions and have “city water” are drilling wells. The governor has prayer time where they pray for rain on the steps of the capital in downtown Atlanta. "You learn to conserve real fast. There’s a big push for low flow toilets here. Numerous counties are offering rebates if yo install them. I learned from dought in NY back in the 60’s and 70’s that bricks work well to save water in toilet. Also that little saying “if it’s yellow, let it mellow, if it’s brown, flush it down”!"I grew up in MD and spent summers in NY. Just remember all those subdivisions that have been built in northern Balto Co and Carroll County are culprits. I know here in the 10 years I’ve live in Georiga the suburban sprawl is unreal. Unfortunately they don’t plan for much here. I read the other day that the government doesn’t have a drought plan “on the books”. Hopefully you’ll get snow this winter. It’s been almost 80 here all week long. Might rain, 30% for a while tomorrow."
Comments
What gets me are the morons who complain every time it rains and then argue that we have no drought. I lived in Los Angeles for 17 years and the residents of Maryland have no idea what it's like to suffer through a real honest-to-goodness water shortage.
Posted by: Richard Crystal | December 12, 2007 1:31 PM
What happens when the water in Atlanta does dry up? No one is answering that question.
Posted by: Mike Rickey | December 12, 2007 2:23 PM
There will always be beer.
Posted by: Frank | December 12, 2007 2:57 PM