Water Smarts (Georgia)
Currently, 53 percent of Georgia is experiencing severe drought, and more than 40 percent of the state is experiencing extreme drought. Extreme drought in a region means that major loss of crop or pasture is likely, fire risk is extreme, and water shortages and restrictions are widespread.
Viewer Tip: Saving water at home not only helps during dry times, it also saves energy. Most indoor water use takes place in the bathroom and kitchen, where letting the faucet run for just five minutes uses as much energy as it would take to power a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours! Don’t let water go down the drain unused - If you’re running the faucet to warm up water, capture cooler water in a bucket and use it to water houseplants or wash windows. And, instead of running the faucet to get cold drinking water, keep a refillable pitcher in the refrigerator.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Sources: U.S. Drought Monitor: October 9, 2007: Georgia. http://drought.unl.edu/dm/DM_state.htm?GA,SE; EPA WaterSense Program. “Using Water Efficienty: Ideas for Residences,” http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/res.htm and “Benefits of Water Efficiency,” http://www.epa.gov/watersense/water/benefits.htm)
