Tift County remains under a Drought Response Level 2 watering restriction put in place by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division in May. The northern third of the state has been experiencing extreme drought and is under a Level 4 restriction. Only the southernmost and southeastern counties are under a Level 1 restriction.

Under a Level 2 restriction, outdoor water use can occur as follows:

• Only on scheduled days within the hours of 12 midnight to 10 a.m. only.

• Odd-numbered addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

• Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses and golf course fairways water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

• No watering is allowed on Friday.

Prohibited under a Level 2 restriction is:

• The use of hydrants for any purpose other than fire fighting, public health, safety or flushing.

• Washing hard surfaces such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except when necessary for public health and safety.

At the Tifton City Council workshop meeting on Thursday afternoon, Russ Dorman, utilities director, said, “Last July Tifton and Tift County had to go to a Level 4 due to drops in the aquifer that caused us to lower some wells. We have rebounded slightly, enough that we can go from a Level 4 to a Level 2.”

Dorman said the state has passed a new law which states that cities and counties cannot impose restrictions that are more restrictive than those set by the EPD unless they follow a certain EPD process.

Councilwoman Marianna Keesee asked Dorman if the city and county were allowed to be less restrictive and Dorman said they were not allowed to be less restrictive.

Councilman Dave Hetzel expressed concern about what he called “the lack of water police” and said he had seen watering taking place during hours it was not allowed. Dorman told Hetzel that officials were enforcing the restrictions and said that anyone could call 911 and report a violation of the watering restrictions.

To contact reporter Jana Cone, call 382-4321, ext. 208.