Can Wells Save Piedmont Park?

ATLANTA -- Big, noisy rigs may soon be boring into the parched earth of Atlanta's drought-ravaged Piedmont Park. But this time environmental groups won't be objecting. Instead, many are behind the idea.

"Our number one priority is the trees... we have to find a way to save the trees," says Monica Thornton of the Piedmont Park Conservancy. She told 11 Alive's Julie Wolfe that wells may be the only salvation for the city's largest concentration of century old trees, many of which are dying thanks to the region's prolonged drought.

Wells would mean Piedmont Park could be independent of Atlanta's city water supply and its watering restrictions. They might also mean a return of several big events, like the Dogwood Festival, which have had to move elsewhere to preserve the park's stressed landscape.

"Drill; get these trees watered like they should be," says park regular Marty Griffin, who adds, "they just cannot take repeated years of drought and that's what we've had." Friend Sunny Williams agrees as she looks upon several dying trees, "You would have it right here and then our trees would get water and we wouldn't have these disasters on these beautiful hundred year old trees."

So far the City of Atlanta and Fulton County have signed off on the well drilling. Now the park is waiting for permission from the State Environmental Protection Division. The EPD is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks.

Several organizations, businesses and even local governments have turned to wells for drought relief. In fact, well drilling companies have been busier than ever, many booked months in advance.