Drought Management
Please note: On June 24, 2015, the DNR Board adopted Drought Management Rules that replaced former rule provisions relating to outdoor water use as well as the 2003 Drought Management Plan. The Drought Management Rules, Chapter 391-3-30, require specific drought response strategies during specified levels of declared drought that may limit or restrict some of the outdoor water uses discussed below.
Click here to read the Rules for Drought Management
To learn more about Water Conservation click here
EPD News
- All Georgians should follow the non-drought schedule for outdoor water use according to the Georgia Water Stewardship Act. Click here for more information on the non-drought schedule.
Drought Indicators Reports
Pursuant to the Rules for Drought Management, Section 391-3-30-.04, Drought Indicators and Triggers, the Director of EPD monitors climatic indicators and water supply conditions to assess drought occurrence and severity, and its impact upon the ability of public water systems to provide adequate supplies of water. The Rules require EPD to report on current climatic indicators at least semi-annually, and as frequently as monthly when any part of the state has experienced at least two consecutive months of severe drought. The Reports are in Microsoft Power Point and are best viewed in slideshow mode.
- Drought Indicators Report January 2024
- Drought Indicators Report December 2023
- Drought Indicators Report November 2023
- Drought Indicators Report October 2023
- Drought Indicators Report January 2023
- Drought Indicators Report December 2022
- Drought Indicators Report November 2022
- Drought Indicators Report July 2022
- Drought Indicators Report June 2022
- Drought Indicators Report January 2022
- Drought Indicators Report August 2021
- Drought Indicators Report January 2021
- Drought Indicators Report August 2020
- Drought Indicators Report January 2020
- Drought Indicators Report December 2019
- Drought Indicators Report November 2019
- Drought Indicators Report October 2019
- Drought Indicators Report July 2019
- Drought Indicators Report January 2019
- Drought Indicators Report June 2018
- Drought Indicators Report December 2017
- Drought Indicators Report June 2017
- Drought Indicators Report May 2017
- Drought Indicators Report April 2017
- Drought Indicators Report March 2017
- Drought Indicators Report February 2017
- Drought Indicators Report January 2017
- Drought Indicators Report December 2016
- Drought Indicators Report November 2016
- Drought Indicators Report October 2016
- Drought Indicators Report September 2016
- Drought Indicators Report August 2016
- Drought Indicators Report July 2016
- Drought Indicators Report February 2016
Monthly Reporting Form
EPD requires public water systems that are currently at a drought response level 2 or above to complete and submit this form monthly:
Variances From State Outdoor Water Use Schedules
Public water systems may not impose restrictions on outdoor watering that are different from the state requirements unless they obtain a variance from the EPD. Public water systems who want to impose outdoor water use restrictions more or less stringent than the state requirements may apply for a variance from the state’s current drought response using the documents below. A water system must be able to demonstrate “good cause” and EPD is required to act upon that request within 5 business days.
Current Variances:
- None at this time
Variance Information:
Please click on these links to learn more about drought-related conditions: