In case you haven’t heard there’s a drought here in Georgia- and especially here in metro Atlanta. Lake Lanier, Atlanta’s premiere water source, sits 16 feet below where it should be this time of year. By year’s end it’s expected to be 36 feet below normal, making it unusable.So, what does this mean? Well, it means some people are out of luck…The governor has instituted restrictions on all things from landscape watering to car washes (more on that in a second). While I do empathize about the situation- how in the world did it get this bad?From what I’ve read it’s between the lack of rain nationwide (global warming?) and, the ultimate reason, a lack of water management. The Army Corp of Engineers monitors the water level at Lake Lanier and how much water it feeds into the natural streams of Alabama and Florida. According to a recent MSNBC article:
More than a billion gallons of water is released from Lanier every day. The Corps of Engineers bases its water releases on two requirements: The minimum flow needed for a coal-fired power plant in Florida and mandates to protect two mussel species in a Florida river.
I can understand the coal-fired power plant (I suppose)- but a billion gallons for two species of mussels! Gimme a break.So, why am I complaining about this? Well, I am 100% unable to wash my car. As someone who rents (not for long), I don’t have the luxury of attaching a hose and going to town. Not only did my apartment complex shut off the water supply to the car-wash section of our complex- but two local car washes also have closed up shop until the drought is lifted.So, unless I want to go to Target, purchase about ten 5-gallon plastic buckets, fill them with water, and then schlep down to my car- it ain’t getting clean anytime soon.With that I leave you with a couple pictures I snapped outside the Best Buy yesterday. The nastiness just stopped me in my tracks. The car used to be white. So, until I can steal some an uninterrupted water supply anytime soon- this will be what I’m driving around town in until the drought in georgia is lifted.
7 comments ↓
10? Man, c’mon CJ. I can do it with 1/2 gallon (wash) and 2 gallons (rinse) in a pinch. the trick is to only wash your car, not the driveway, the street or water the lawn
[...] Loria wrote an interesting post today on The Georgia Drought and MeHere’s a quick [...]
2.5 gallons? That’s it?! I use 2 gallons on the tires alone. You know it’s bad when you look to the rain to get your car clean..
Anybody know of a “chemical” based car wash idea? I see bigbucks in the near future if it’s available. My truck is supposed to be dirty. Society accepts it better that way.
There is always the waterless car wash system.
Do a google search for more results. There might even be a shop nearby that does this.
I am looking into the waterless car wash as well. There is also a product that lets u use only a gollon or 2… No Rinse is the name I believe….
Hmm, definitely have to check out the No Rinse stuff.
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