As you well know, it has been some time since Newton County has had any significant rainfall.
Thanks to the dry conditions, Newton County is in a Stage 1, or “Minor Water Condition”, according to our Drought/Emergency Contingency Plan. Lake Varner is at a water level of 696.2.
In this condition, Newton County will continue to promote water conservation through news and media outlets, according to the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010. Under that Act, daily outdoor water use is allowed for the purposes of planting, growing, managing or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs or other plants only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. by anyone whose water is supplied by a water system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division.
In the event Lake Varner Water Level reaches 692 feet or 9 feet below full pool the County will be upgraded. Stage 2, or “Moderate Water Condition”, in the Drought/Emergency Contingency Plan. In this condition we will increase media intensity for local TV, radio stations and newspapers. Mandatory water restriction over and above those mandated by the State of Georgia will be implemented.