If you are planning to visit the Southeast region of the United States be warned—-much of the area is experiencing severe drought conditions, especially the state of Georgia. Which means your travel plans could be affected by the state’s efforts to conserve water.
Visitors to the area will notice water conservation efforts at a variety of popular tourist attractions including the Georgia Aquarium, home of the world’s largest fish tank. Because of the drought, staff members at the always-crowded Atlanta attraction have been forced to empty some of its water displays. For example, a lake in the atrium is now dry and a few decorative waterfalls have been turned off as well. Most notably gone is the water from a moat exhibit, which has now been filled with sand.
According to aquarium officials, the efforts are drastic, but not unusual given the severity of the drought. Georgia already has banned virtually all outdoor water use and ordered public water utilities to cut back water use by 10%. Which means if you are visiting the Georgia Aquarium you will be one of the first to use its newly installed waterless urinals and low-flow faucets. Also, you’ll have to pardon the dirt and residue that is building up on the aquarium’s exterior. The state has banned pressure-washing of all buildings so the dirt will remain for the time being.
And if you are wondering how the fish and other sea life are being affected by the conservation measures, rest assured no harm is being done to them. According to aquarium staff none of the drained exhibits contained fish and the exhibits with fish continue to operate normally.
On a positive side note the water saving measures have had a financial bonus at the aquarium. Officials there say pennies that visitors tossed into a pool once brimming with water are now easily accessible and they are being used to offset the aquarium’s budget.
But, the aquarium isn’t alone in its efforts to cut back on water usage. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has pulled the plug on water salutes given to retiring commercial airline pilots on their final flight to the airport. For decades, two Atlanta Fire Department trucks would spray an arch of water to salute the pilot. However, since that display used about 500 gallons of water, which can now be used for essential firefighting operations, the salute has been put on hold indefinitely.
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