Updated 2/6/2008 4:10:27 PM
Gov. Sonny Perdue gave a much-needed break to landscapers and farmers Wednesday by lifting the statewide ban on outdoor watering. Perdue also said the state would allow swimming pools to be filled this summer.
His announcement took place during a speech in front of a room full of the biggest leaders of Georgia's biggest industry: agriculture.
"It's been tough times in agriculture. It's been tough times out on the farm," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin.
Agriculture has been hit harder than most by the drought restrictions and the governor says it's time for those tough times to ease.
"Frankly, this industry did more than its share. It bore a lot of the brunt of the conservation measures last fall and they can do that temporarily but it's wrong to put most of that burden on one industry," said Perdue.
The announcement at the Georgia Agribusiness Legislative Breakfast does not mean it's time to turn on the sprinkler. The new watering rules, which take effect April 1, will have three parts:
Perdue also said on Wednesday that the state will relax water restrictions to allow outdoor swimming pools this summer.
North Georgia residents were anxiously awaiting the governor's decision, fearing that outdoor watering restrictions in the region would mean pools would remain unfilled.
There's one big hitch to the plan: local watering restrictions.
"I do call on our local water authorities to work with us and allow these exemptions in their communities," said Perdue. "It's an unprecedented drought and it takes unprecedented cooperation and action together."
Perdue said the new plan, relying on the honor system, will give retailers the confidence to stock new landscaping materials and producers the confidence to grow them.
The governor says it will renew confidence in the strength of Georgia's landscaping industry.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report).
