Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-30-.04 - Drought Indicators and Triggers

(1) The Director shall monitor climatic indicators and water supply conditions as needed to assess drought occurrence and severity, and its impact upon the ability of permittees that are public water systems to provide adequate supplies of water and avoid or relieve local water shortages. Such indicators and conditions may include but may not be limited to the following:

(a) Precipitation;

(b) Streamflow;

(c) Groundwater;

(d) Reservoir Levels;

(e) Soil Moisture;

(f) Short Term Climate Predictions;

(g) U.S. Drought Monitor; and

(h) Water Supply Conditions.

(2) The Division shall periodically make available to the public reports of current climatic indicators. These reports shall be released at least semi-annually; however, when any area of the state has, for at least two consecutive months, been under severe or higher intensity drought conditions, as indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor, the reports shall be released at least monthly. These reports shall compare current climatic conditions to historical levels and/or reservoir rule curves, if appropriate, for each indicator. The Division shall employ an adaptive approach to these reports, as resources permit, to pursue improvements to the drought indicators and triggers to make the reports as effective as possible. These reports shall include, at a minimum, the following drought indicators:

(a) Precipitation: Precipitation during the prior 3, 6, and 12 months, compared to the same time periods historically.

(b) Streamflow from the following United States Geological Survey gage locations: Chattooga River at Summerville (02398000), Etowah River at Canton (02392000), Chestatee River near Dahlonega (02333500), Broad River near Bell (02192000), Chattahoochee River near Cornelia (02331600), Flint River at GA 26 near Montezuma (02349605), Oconee River at Dublin (02223500), Ocmulgee River at Macon (02213000), Ogeechee River near Eden (02202500), Spring Creek near Iron City (02357000), Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford (02353500), Alapaha River at Statenville (02317500), Satilla River near Waycross (02226500).

(c) Groundwater: CD4 well: 11AA01, CD5 well: 21T001, CD7 wells: 13L180, 12M017, 11K003, 13J004, 12K014, 10G313, 08K001, 08G001, 09F520.

(d) Reservoir Levels: Allatoona Lake, Lake Hartwell, Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Lanier.

(3) Permittees that are public water systems shall notify the Division in writing within 7 days if a trigger level in the drought contingency plan required by Rules 391-3-2-.04(11)(d) or 391-3-6-.07(4)(b)9 is surpassed. The notification shall include the relevant drought condition(s) or event(s) such as streamflow levels, ground water levels, reservoir storage or levels, system demands, and/or other approved indicator(s) which required the notification.

(4) Prior to making a drought response level declaration pursuant to Rule 391-3-30-.05, except for non-drought conditions, the Director shall convene a conference call, or similar communication medium, for all permittees for whom climatic indicators and water supply conditions are such that the Director is considering making a drought declaration. Within three business days of the Director's communication, potentially affected permittees may submit information to the Division regarding climatic indicators and/or their water supply conditions. For permittees whose principal source of water supply is surface water, they may submit a water supply and demand analysis as described in Rule 391-3-30-.08(1)(b).

(5) During a declared drought pursuant to Rule 391-3-30-.05, the Director shall convene a conference call, or similar communication medium, at least quarterly for all permittees subject to Drought Response Strategies in the affected drought area(s). The purpose of this communication will be to review the latest climatic indicators and water supply conditions as they relate to the permittees.

(6) Prior to making a drought response level declaration pursuant to Rule 391-3-30-.05, the Director may consult with state and federal entities charged with collecting, interpreting and disseminating data used as a basis for developing drought indices. Such agencies may include but not be limited to the following:

(a) State Climatologist;

(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(c) United States Geological Survey; and

(d) United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-3-30-.04

O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-5-8.

Original Rule entitled "Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Declared Drought Response Levels" adopted. F. June 8, 2004; eff. June 28, 2004. Amended: New title "Drought Indicators and Triggers." F. July 15, 2015; eff. August 4, 2015.