How much Water does one MAN Need???

[yeartolate]

I've always wondered about water restrictions -- are they, in any way, legally binding. I mean, it seems like every summer, we have some sort of "water ban", but as far as I know, it's a request, not a law.

The guy's certainly being a water hog, but is there a legal way to stop someone?

I know what was done in the past in SF - they gave you a household allowance at one rate, but jacked the rates WAY WAY up if you exceeded your allowance.

 

[salmoneous]

Actually, I lived through the gasoline rationing of the Jimmy Carter era, but that is besides the point.

I'm always amused by Dawn's view of history. Good things happened under Republicans, bad things under Democrats. Her history makes for a much better story that those boring books we had in school.

Founding of Solidarity in Poland?

Dawn's history - happened under Reagan.
Boring books - happened under Carter

70's Gas Rationing?

Dawn's history - happened in the "Carter Era"
Boring books - "Nixon and Ford Era"

 

[jrmasm]

I've always wondered about water restrictions -- are they, in any way, legally binding. I mean, it seems like every summer, we have some sort of "water ban", but as far as I know, it's a request, not a law.

The guy's certainly being a water hog, but is there a legal way to stop someone?

I think you can get a ticket.


How does everyone know how much water this guy is using anyway?

 

[DawnCt1]

I've always wondered about water restrictions -- are they, in any way, legally binding. I mean, it seems like every summer, we have some sort of "water ban", but as far as I know, it's a request, not a law.

The guy's certainly being a water hog, but is there a legal way to stop someone?

Here is one site I found. As long as it meets certain requirements of the state statutes, bans are legal and enforcable.

Water Use Restrictions

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has established statewide, year-round, outdoor water use restrictions.

The Current Restrictions Are:
Effective Immediately: In compliance with a declaration by the Cobb-Marietta Water Authority (our water provider), water use restrictions in Cobb County have been elevated to Level 4 of the Basic Drought Schedule for Outdoor Water Use.

ALL outdoor water use is prohibited

To find out more, please read the Outdoor Water Use Ban Guidelines, or refer to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's Outdoor Water Use specifications (Rules Chapter 391-3-30) . For information on exemptions to the restriction, see section .05 of that document.

The Cobb County Water System will strictly enforce these restrictions. Warnings are issued for a first offense. Second, and each subsequent time results in escalating fines for each offense up to $500, water service disconnection, as well as prosecution.

The Cobb County Water System Drought Response Program is available to view here.

For more information on drought and how to cope with it, read our Drought Education brochure.

Water Restriction Information Line

Cobb County now has a Water Restriction Information and Reporting line.
To receive further information or to report a concern about the water ban you may call:
(770) 419-6278
24-hours a day/7 days a week to leave a message.

Addresses of reported violations will be added to our patrol schedule.

If your question requires personal attention please call:
(770) 423-1000 Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM - 7 PM.
Thank you for your interest in protecting our water resources.

Thank you for your community support and cooperation as we promote continued wise and conservative water use.

To learn more about what the Cobb County Water System is doing to help conserve water, go to the
Cobb County Water Efficiency Program

 

[Fitswimmer]

Actually, I lived through the gasoline rationing of the Jimmy Carter era, but that is besides the point. All of the products and commodities you have mentioned are not rationed. There is no restriction on the use of food, cars, gas, houses, etc. There is a restriction on water use. It sounds like your overthinking is leading you to, "From each according to their ability to each according to their need". Not the same.

I did too, I remember going with my Dad to sit in the gas lines. We used to play cards.

I'm just following the logic out to a conclusion. As I said, purely an intellectual exercise. I've got this thing about consistency, so it bugs me a little that I want to get this guy, but I'm willing to give myself a pass for my own overconsumption.

 

[leafette]

Here is one site I found. As long as it meets certain requirements of the state statutes, bans are legal and enforcable.

Water Use Restrictions

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has established statewide, year-round, outdoor water use restrictions.

The Current Restrictions Are:
Effective Immediately: In compliance with a declaration by the Cobb-Marietta Water Authority (our water provider), water use restrictions in Cobb County have been elevated to Level 4 of the Basic Drought Schedule for Outdoor Water Use.

ALL outdoor water use is prohibited

To find out more, please read the Outdoor Water Use Ban Guidelines, or refer to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division's Outdoor Water Use specifications (Rules Chapter 391-3-30) . For information on exemptions to the restriction, see section .05 of that document.

The Cobb County Water System will strictly enforce these restrictions. Warnings are issued for a first offense. Second, and each subsequent time results in escalating fines for each offense up to $500, water service disconnection, as well as prosecution.

The Cobb County Water System Drought Response Program is available to view here.

For more information on drought and how to cope with it, read our Drought Education brochure.

Water Restriction Information Line

Cobb County now has a Water Restriction Information and Reporting line.
To receive further information or to report a concern about the water ban you may call:
(770) 419-6278
24-hours a day/7 days a week to leave a message.

Addresses of reported violations will be added to our patrol schedule.

If your question requires personal attention please call:
(770) 423-1000 Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM - 7 PM.
Thank you for your interest in protecting our water resources.

Thank you for your community support and cooperation as we promote continued wise and conservative water use.

To learn more about what the Cobb County Water System is doing to help conserve water, go to the
Cobb County Water Efficiency Program

Yes, but these are outdoor bans. Nobody has caught this guy violating any bans. Until they do, there's nothing that can be done. I think the guy is a selfish pig, but unfortunately he hasn't been caught breaking any law.

 

[CheshireVal]

I thought I read somewhere that he has a non-recycling waterfall in his house. I have no idea if that's true or not.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I thought I read somewhere that he has a non-recycling waterfall in his house. I have no idea if that's true or not.

They make non-recycling waterfalls? I just assumed that all of those home waterfalls continually pump the same water over and over?

If the laws are on the books where they can fine (don't think that'll work) or prosecute the guy (more likely to be effective), then they should find a way to prove he's violating the ban and toss the book at him.

 

[DawnCt1]

I thought I read somewhere that he has a non-recycling waterfall in his house. I have no idea if that's true or not.

Wow, that's a lot of water over the dam, as they say.

 

[momof2inPA]

If Georgians keep praying, maybe that guy will stop using so much water:/

 

[RitaZ.]

I've always wondered about water restrictions -- are they, in any way, legally binding. I mean, it seems like every summer, we have some sort of "water ban", but as far as I know, it's a request, not a law.

The guy's certainly being a water hog, but is there a legal way to stop someone?

The city will fine those that violate the ban/restrictions. At least, that's what's done around here. There are those that will water their lawns despite the water shortage and fines.

We have been under water restrictions for a while now. They're about to get tougher next month. There is one neighbor on our block that I know waters when he is not supposed to. Their lawn is always lush and green when everyone else's is brown. I don't get it. I mean, what's more important: a green lawn or drinking water?

 

[disneyfan67]

I'm always amused by Dawn's view of history. Good things happened under Republicans, bad things under Democrats. Her history makes for a much better story that those boring books we had in school.


70's Gas Rationing?

Dawn's history - happened in the "Carter Era"
Boring books - "Nixon and Ford Era"

Yes the gas shortage did start under Nixon and the ball that started it rolling was the 1973 Arab oil embargo. I know Nixon had made a mistake in instituting price controls on petroleum and it was Reagan who finally did away with them in his first term, around late 1981 or so. If my memory of history is correct, didn't the first oil embargo happen in 1967 after the start of the six day war? I know in 1979 the energy problem reared it's ugly head again and it was because of the Iran crisis and huge upheaval it was going through. Didn't Iraq and Iran start going at it around this time as well and that also contributed to the oil shortage? I think Carter gets his a huge chunk of blame by some because of how he handled the Iran situation, his famous "we're in a malaise" speech, and people were losing confidence in him. It seemed he was just adrift and the country was crying out for leadership, but that's another debate for a later time. You were correct though in not placing all the blame on his shoulders. It's not fair to do so or honnest in a moral or historical sense.


As for this man using all the water in that huge house, he's a symbol of what's wrong in this country. He uses all that water because he thinks of nothing but himself. He has the mindset that since he has the money and ability to use all that water, that it's his right and screw everyone else. The "let them eat cake" mentality gets really old, especially in a time of crisis, like this water shortage for example.

 

[salmoneous]

Yes the gas shortage did start under Nixon and the ball that started it rolling was the 1973 Arab oil embargo. I know Nixon had made a mistake in instituting price controls on petroleum

He also implemented gas rationing (odd days / even days) which lasted into the Ford administration and ended before Carter took office.

 

[mmcguire]

I call BS on Cobb county not being able to prove he is violating a restriction. The county could keep watch to see when he is watering. If that doesn't work (there are buried systems without pop-up heads that can't easily be seen), it shouldn't be too difficult to have the moisture content of his soil tested and compared to the moisture content of the surrounding area.

Also, the argument that water consumption falls in the same category as fuel or housing is absurd. Water is necessary for physically sustaining life. People can live without fuel or houses (not comforable, but possible). They cannot live without water.

Some areas around here are doubling bills for exceeding a household limit of 12,000 gallons per month, and if you're a repeat offender, they cut off your water.

 

[CheshireVal]

I call BS on Cobb county not being able to prove he is violating a restriction. The county could keep watch to see when he is watering. If that doesn't work (there are buried systems without pop-up heads that can't easily be seen), it shouldn't be too difficult to have the moisture content of his soil tested and compared to the moisture content of the surrounding area.

Also, the argument that water consumption falls in the same category as fuel or housing is absurd. Water is necessary for physically sustaining life. People can live without fuel or houses (not comforable, but possible). They cannot live without water.

Well, the problem is that his outdoor watering is actually legal under stupidly written Cobb Co. guidelines. If a professional landscaper plants new stuff, it can be watered for 30 days. This guy has his own professional landscaper, and the landscaper plants new things every day, so he's able to consistently water.

Also, if the waterfall story is true, the county can't actually monitor inside the house.

 

[mmcguire]

Well, the problem is that his outdoor watering is actually legal under stupidly written Cobb Co. guidelines. If a professional landscaper plants new stuff, it can be watered for 30 days. This guy has his own professional landscaper, and the landscaper plants new things every day, so he's able to consistently water.

DOH! That IS stupid. Well, Pike nursery in ATL just filed for bankruptcy due to the drought, so maybe his landscaper will run out of plants soon. What an idiot.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

You can have (very expensive) underground watering systems installed. I bet he has one of these. No need for sprinklers and no one would ever SEE him watering his lawn.

 

[Christopher Robin]

Maybe he just bought some dihydrogen monoxide credits.

That would make it OK, wouldn't it?

 

[crcormier]

He also implemented gas rationing (odd days / even days) which lasted into the Ford administration and ended before Carter took office.

And no "I was wrong" ever admitted, as usual.

 

[Buckalew11]

It finally rained here last night. Did it rain in Atlanta. We are in a serious drought also. This is far different from any water bans I have experienced in the past. They are dead serious around here.