Barrow County and all of Northeast Georgia falls within the extreme drought designation

Unique situations exist among the water suppliers within Barrow County with the City of Statham having abundant water - a resource Statham would like to sell to generate revenue.

Winder Mayor Chip Thompson and City Administrator Bob Beck say they wish Winder had excess water available to sell, however, Winder is now taking water from the Bear Creek Reservoir which it did not require this early in the year in 2007.

The need for Bear Creek Reservoir water received through the Barrow County Water & Sewerage Authority is due to diminishing stream flow in the Mulberry River. When the river level drops below a certain point, Winder must cease withdrawals and use other sources.

The need for additional water is why Winder will be pursuing some of the new reservoir dollars available from the State of Georgia to finance the dredging of City Pond.

"From the data we are evaluating, it appears the drought of 2008 could be worse than the drought of 2007," said Beck, as he spoke at Friday afternoon's assembled meeting of water suppliers within Barrow County.

Beck said water conditions have worsened since the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority agreed that member-counties could apply to the State Environmental Protection Division for a waiver to Level 4-A drought status from a Level 4.

Since that authority's decision on Tuesday, Athens-Clarke, Jackson and Oconee have announced the move to Level 4-A effective Monday, June 30.

Braselton City Clerk Jennifer Scott said an application for a waiver to Level 4-A has already gone in to EPD but the council would still have to approve the additional watering provisions if EPD gives a favorable nod to the request.

Braselton Mayor Pat Graham said she expects EPD to withdraw the waiver in a short time so the additional watering - if granted to Braselton - may be short-lived, perhaps less than a month.

Braselton's position is different from the other municipalities since Gwinnett County is another water supplier for Braselton customers.

The City of Statham has an excess of water and is requesting to go to the Level 4-A as is the Town of Braselton. Timmy Powell represented Statham at the meeting.

"Statham is holding up," said Powell, who indicated it was essential for the city to move more water through its lines to preserve water quality.

Graham said Jackson County, one of Braselton's suppliers is in a similar situation.

David Hawthorne, representing the City of Auburn, said there are no plans to seek a change in the drought status. He did note that Auburn's purchase of water from Gwinnett County is up slightly and, if Auburn demands grow, there will be a financial price to pay.

"We will stay at the same level," said Hawthorne, who indicated Auburn has stayed in compliance with the state-mandated 10-percent water use reduction goal.

Barrow County Public Works Director Terry Darragh expressed concern that once the communities allow additional watering, it may be difficult to put conservation back at the forefront if needed rains don't come.

"I'm concerned about the impact. It will be hard to turn the bus around," said Darragh.

Winder, Auburn and Barrow water customers will remain under existing watering restrictions as Statham and Braselton await EPD word of a possible Level 4-A nod.

The Upper Oconee Basin Water authority will meet again in July and could revisit the decision to authorize Level 4-A requests. As of June 21, the Bear Creek Reservoir remained at full pool, but the area's soil moisture content called for Drought Level "4" while the flow in the Middle Oconee River also called for a "4."

According to Bear Creek plant manager Kevin Williams, the average of drought indicators suggests Level "3" Drought.

Originally published Sunday, June 29, 2008