Governor Perdue Releases Water Conservation Public Service Announcement

ATLANTA- Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he has released a public service announcement (PSA) to radio and television stations educating Georgia citizens about the importance of implementing water conservation practices at home. Water conservation PSA’s will also air at upcoming sporting events across Georgia.

“Now that we are making significant progress working with the Corps of Engineers to reduce the unnecessary water flows leaving Georgia, it is important to remind Georgians that they can make a difference in this drought epidemic if they conserve,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “By educating our state about water conservation, we are taking significant steps towards ensuring a long term solution to this historic problem.”

Governor Perdue’s public service announcement debuted Thursday evening at the Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech football game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, attended by 52,000 fans. Governor Perdue is featured in a general message that is available for television and radio stations along with five unique versions of the water conservation PSA to be played for fans at Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers, Georgia Tech and University of Georgia games.

“The water shortage has affected the University in a dramatic way, as it has much of our state,” said Damon Evans, University of Georgia Director of Athletics. “We are appreciative of the Governor’s message that will bring additional emphasis to the fans who attend our athletic events.  It is our hope that this will continue to impress upon our citizens the significance of the current drought and it’s impact throughout Georgia.”

In the announcement, Governor Perdue focuses on the need for Georgians to take pride in their conservation efforts, and offers suggestions for conserving. The PSA is available for viewing via the governor’s website http://www.gov.state.ga.us/.

Governor Perdue traveled to Washington D.C. on Thursday to meet with Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Flordia Governor Charlie Crist, Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the Department of the Interior and Chairman Jim Connaughton of the Council on Environmental Quality to discuss efforts among the three states towards finding a solution to water shortages in the southern United States. As a result of Thursday’s meetings and months of work, the Corps of Engineers announced yesterday that it has recommended several significant changes to the Interim Operating Plan (IOP) that manages the release of water from Georgia reservoirs that will allow Georgia to store more water, hopefully lessening the effects of the drought.

###