Georgia's Response to the 2006–2009 Drought: Lessons Learned David E. Stooksbury, Ph.D. State Climatologist Associate Professor Engineering and Atmospheric Sciences The University of Georgia (706)

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Response Institutional – Governmental Institutional – Governmental Citizens Citizens Industry Industry News Media News Media

Institutional – Governmental Response June 2006 – Level 1 Drought Management Response June 2006 – Level 1 Drought Management Response May 2007 – Level 2 Drought Management Response May 2007 – Level 2 Drought Management Response Several local water authorities begin to increase restrictions during the summer as local conditions dictated. Several local water authorities begin to increase restrictions during the summer as local conditions dictated. September 2007 – Level 4 Drought Management Response September 2007 – Level 4 Drought Management Response Almost a complete outdoor watering ban Almost a complete outdoor watering ban October 2007 – Governor orders a 10% reduction below winter base use (Level 4 not effective in winter). October 2007 – Governor orders a 10% reduction below winter base use (Level 4 not effective in winter).

Institutional – Governmental Response Response Level One – Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Inconsistent Educational Effort Developing El Nino Improperly Calibrated USACE Gauge on Lake Lanier

Institutional – Governmental Response Response Level Two – Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. “El Nino rains” did not occur Inconsistent Public Education

Institutional – Governmental Response Response Level Four – No outdoor water use is allowed, other than for activities exempted in , or as the EPD Director may order. Water systems in north Georgia in dire straights – pumping from small streams and no reservoirs Governor forms the Drought Emergency Response team with GEMA, Public Health and EPD as leads State Climatologists of AL, FL and GA jointly issue a La Nina Watch for fall 2007 and winter 2008 Massive Educational Campaign spearheaded by UGA Extension Service, Georgia Water Wise Council and Conserve Georgia.

Institutional – Governmental Response Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Current Drought Triggers are too complex, spatial scale (CDs vs. Watersheds), and temporal scale (Monthly vs. Weekly) need better resolution Current Drought Triggers are too complex, spatial scale (CDs vs. Watersheds), and temporal scale (Monthly vs. Weekly) need better resolution Only Level 4 Response has flexibility Only Level 4 Response has flexibility Local water systems need the flexibility to response more aggressively Local water systems need the flexibility to response more aggressively Long-term Changes Long-term Changes Infrastructure Improvements (fixing leaks) Infrastructure Improvements (fixing leaks) Interconnection of Water Systems Interconnection of Water Systems

Citizens’ Response Under Level 1 and Level 2 Under Level 1 and Level 2 Perception – we are not in a real drought Perception – we are not in a real drought Everything is green (we still get 35+ inches of rain a year) Everything is green (we still get 35+ inches of rain a year) Dropping stream levels are hard to detect visually Dropping stream levels are hard to detect visually A drought is just too many beautiful days in a row (PNK) A drought is just too many beautiful days in a row (PNK) Mistrust of Mistrust of Government Government Climatologists (global warming is a hoax) Climatologists (global warming is a hoax) Media Media Water Conservation Failed Water Conservation Failed Actual usage went up – Seems that the public’s perception is that we better water on days that we are allowed. Actual usage went up – Seems that the public’s perception is that we better water on days that we are allowed.

Citizens’ Response Level 4 and 10% Reduction Level 4 and 10% Reduction Perception Perception The drought became visible – Lake Lanier and Bear Creek Reservoir for Athens The drought became visible – Lake Lanier and Bear Creek Reservoir for Athens Media started daily Lake Lanier level watch Media started daily Lake Lanier level watch It became fashionable to show how much one was conserving It became fashionable to show how much one was conserving Water Conservation Water Conservation 20% reduction in water use across north Georgia 20% reduction in water use across north Georgia

Citizens’ Response Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Confusion between drought (climate) and water resources Confusion between drought (climate) and water resources Perception of a lack of fairness and equity – especially along the state borders where GA was very aggressive and AL and FL were not Perception of a lack of fairness and equity – especially along the state borders where GA was very aggressive and AL and FL were not Many do not know where their drinking water comes from Many do not know where their drinking water comes from Water Conservation Continued after the drought Water Conservation Continued after the drought Economics? or Real Change? Economics? or Real Change?

Industry’s Response Green Industry- successfully promoted statutory limitations on local government discretion regarding outdoor watering restrictions, new statute required EPD to approve local changes to state-ordered restrictions. Promoted consumer education on appropriate watering and drought-tolerant landscaping. Green Industry- successfully promoted statutory limitations on local government discretion regarding outdoor watering restrictions, new statute required EPD to approve local changes to state-ordered restrictions. Promoted consumer education on appropriate watering and drought-tolerant landscaping. Water-dependant industrial processing - many industries conducted water audits, invested in water efficiency (carpet industry, poultry processors) Water-dependant industrial processing - many industries conducted water audits, invested in water efficiency (carpet industry, poultry processors)

Media’s Response The Good The Good Did a very good job of covering the initial response level changes Did a very good job of covering the initial response level changes Once level 4 response was reached, kept the public well informed and offered on air resources as well as web-based resources Once level 4 response was reached, kept the public well informed and offered on air resources as well as web-based resources The Bad The Bad Lack of journalists educated in science Lack of journalists educated in science Inconsistent coverage during levels 1 and 2 Inconsistent coverage during levels 1 and 2 Emphasis on Lake Lanier, other water supplies were in much worse shape – Gave the perception that Lanier was the only problem – It was one of many being responded to by the Governor’s Emergency Management Team Emphasis on Lake Lanier, other water supplies were in much worse shape – Gave the perception that Lanier was the only problem – It was one of many being responded to by the Governor’s Emergency Management Team

Big Picture Lessons Conservation in non-drought years so that our systems do not become depend on water that will not be available during a drought Conservation in non-drought years so that our systems do not become depend on water that will not be available during a drought Although lessons learned provide information for improvement, drought management worked in that NO Georgia community ran out of drinking water. Although lessons learned provide information for improvement, drought management worked in that NO Georgia community ran out of drinking water. Common Regional Framework for basin management and a common set of declarations and responses – across state lines (NIDIS) Common Regional Framework for basin management and a common set of declarations and responses – across state lines (NIDIS) Preparing, especially infrastructure and education, must be done before a drought. Preparing, especially infrastructure and education, must be done before a drought. Water Conservation Implementation Plan needs aggressive implementation ( ) Water Conservation Implementation Plan needs aggressive implementation ( )