By Chloe Morrison
Staff Writer
As North Georgia deals with an exceptional drought, Rossville officials are looking for ways to conserve water even though they benefit from the plentiful Tennessee River.
"We want to do our part in North Georgia, even though we are in Tennessee-American Water," Rossville Mayor Johnny Baker said. "We have plenty of water. We are going to abide with Georgia (water restrictions) because we respect the governor."
Sixty-one counties in Georgia -- and all of North Georgia -- are in a level four drought, which means no outdoor water use is permitted, according to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division of the state Department of Natural Resources.
Rossville uses water from Tennessee-American Water and the company's Georgia customers are not under the same conservation restrictions as other residents, water company officials said. The company's water comes from the Tennessee River.
Even though Rossville's water use is not restricted, officials said they want to do their part to conserve.
Rossville public works employees will pump 300 gallons of water from the duck pond near the Chief John Ross House once a week to water the plants in the city's new streetscape landscaping.
"(The water comes) from a naturally fed spring pond," said Mark Harris, of the public works department. "We thought (using this water) would be a good way to help out."
The city purchased a $125 tank that holds 300 gallons and pumped water from the pond Friday morning.
It took about 20 minutes to pump 300 gallons, and new plantings around State Line Road and the Iowa Monument were watered Friday.
Public works employee Matthew Carden said landscaping for the city's streetscape was planted Monday.
The streetscape has been years in the making, and officials said landscaping is among finishing touches. Others include placement of mast arm traffic lights and work on the sidewalk near Roy's Grill.
The project should be complete within a month, officials said.
"(Landscaping) is going to make it look a lot better," Mr. Carden said. "The bushes add a lot."
E-mail Chloe Morrison at cmorrison@timesfreepress.com
