State
Potential Water Restrictions in Ga
By Associated Press
Jun 26, 2008, 22:15

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's top environmental official says the state's deepening drought may force her to tighten a range of water restrictions that were loosened earlier this year.

Carol Couch, director of the state's environmental protection division, said Wednesday she will evaluate water use in the state next month.

She'll decide whether to impose new restrictions for the dozens of communities in north Georgia where some watering limits have been relaxed.

The announcement came as state climatologist David Stooksbury declared that soaring summer temperatures and light rainfall have plunged more of Georgia into drought conditions.

Couch has faced criticism from some environmentalists who say relaxing water restrictions during the drought could send conflicting messages about the state's water crisis and set the stage for tighter limits in the fall. But Couch is also under pressure from agriculture groups, who fear a new round of conservation measures could cripple their industry.

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