By DOUG NURSE / www.ajc.com / Published on: 07/30/08
Yes, it has been raining sporadically, but instead of assuming the drought is over, Alpharetta is encouraging people to make rain barrels.
The city, along with Fulton County Public Works Water Services, is offering classes on making rain barrels Aug. 6 at the Alpharetta Adult Activity Center at North Park. The classes cost $25, which covers the cost of materials. Participants should bring a vehicle big enough to carry the barrel.
National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Konarik said rainfall lately has been about normal but not enough to lift the area from its severe drought classification. Thus far, metro Atlanta has received 25.5 inches in 2008, compared with the 31.11 average for this time of year.
"It's not getting worse, but we haven't gotten the surplus we need," Konarik said. "The same steps that were in place last summer should be continued."
Most cities, including Alpharetta, have adopted the state watering restrictions. Under the restrictions, outdoor watering for new landscaping, and yards can be watered by hand on certain days.
People living at even and unnumbered addresses may water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; folks residing at odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday between the midnight to 10 a.m. The hand watering exemption applies to landscapes only. Irrigation systems may not be run under this exemption.Water from rain barrels, however, can be used without restraint.
Registration for the program concludes at noon Thursday. For more information, call Terry Porter at 678-297-6200 or e-mail tporter@alpahretta.ga.us.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment