ATLANTA - May 3, 2007 - Georgia Power is encouraging all residents on Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair to comply with the statewide outdoor water use schedule outlined by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) when it declared a level two drought response on April 18.

A level two drought response declaration limits all outdoor water use to mornings only. The new outdoor watering schedules statewide are as follows:

• Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from midnight to 10 a.m.;
• Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from midnight to 10 a.m.;
• There is no outdoor watering on Fridays.

The level two outdoor watering schedules are for all Georgians and became effective immediately following the declaration on April 18. Local governments and water utilities may impose more stringent watering schedules, but at a minimum have to comply with the statewide schedule.

While many residents in the Lake Oconee/Lake Sinclair area are served by local water utilities such as Piedmont Water Company and Jones Water Company, a large majority of property owners on both lakes pump water directly from their respective reservoirs to individual irrigation systems. Georgia Power is encouraging those property owners to also adhere to the statewide watering schedule to conserve water and preserve lake levels.

“The overall intent of the EPD watering restrictions is to reduce water usage during a drought,” said Ben Harris, Vice President of Georgia Power’s Land Department. “The water in both lakes serves many purposes, including support of environmental and recreational uses downstream of the lakes. During droughts, conservation of water in both Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair is especially important in order to balance the needs of lake property owners and downstream uses.”

Georgia Power is working cooperatively with the local water authorities that withdraw water from the lakes to ensure awareness of the state limits on outdoor watering. Large users of water that are EPD permittees, such as golf courses, also have watering restrictions that are described in the EPD’s rules for outdoor water use.  The company is also working with these entities to ensure conservation practices are being implemented.

For more information on ways to conserve water visit the following website: www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity.  The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average.  Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.