High and Dry

Calhoun mayor: 'Water is at a critical level'

Gordon County Water Usage
April: 361.42 million gallons
August: 465.47 million gallons

Calhoun Mayor Jimmy Palmer says his city is watching the drought situation daily.

"Water is at a critical level and it can be seen in our ponds, lakes and rivers. If they aren't dry, they are down to alarming levels. We've made several pumping changes to keep our tanks full."

Palmer said that while the city isn't experiencing any shortages, it has been getting calls regularly from people whose wells have dried up.

Gordon County's main water source is the Coosawattee River, which is fed by Carters Lake.

"Everything is dependant on it right now," said Jerry Crawford, water and sewer director for the city of Calhoun. "It's deeper than Allatoona and Lanier, but it's not as expansive."

Crawford said that Carters Lake is down several feet and it's been felt during the release. He said they are releasing 200 cubic feet per second, down from about 500 cfs during May and June.

Currently, the Calhoun is following the state's guidelines on the Level 4 response to the drought. It is enforcing the total ban on residential outdoor watering with first-time offenders receiving a warning; second offenders, $100 fine; third offenders, $200 fine; fourth-time offenders receive a $300 fine; and after that, the city can pull the meter.

Businesses such as Field's Ferry Golf Course are exempt because they do not use the city's water supply.

Crawford said Calhoun doesn't have any rules in place governing the reuse of "gray water" and in fact, would like to see more people using it, as long as it doesn't create an unsanitary condition.

Crawford said collecting shower water to water plants would help save water.

Water use was up for August from April of this year. Calhoun provides water for most of Gordon County and parts of Whitfield, Bartow, Floyd, Pickens and Murray counties as well. In August, the city recorded 465.47 million gallons used in that time, with an average daily use of 15.01 million gallons. In April, recorded use was 361.42 millions or 12.05 million per day.

Crawford says that is to be expected.

"If it's a dry month, even with water restrictions, they water more," he said.

From Calhoun Times