Water Water...Nowhere

[nsxt2000]

While this photo appears to have been taken in the desert, I shot it yesterday of portion of Lake Allatoona located in N.W. Atlanta. Georgia, like many other States, is in the midst of a drought. Water restrictions have been in effect for several months with additional ones to follow.

Lake Allatoona supplies three metro counties with drinking water and with the current situation the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers is taking alternative measures. The lake was made in the 1940's when an area was dammed therby flooding and creating the lake. In the process the town of Allatoona was covered, hence he name. It has been exensively used for recreation and even has a man made beach.

Due to the drought much of the lake is as you see it here. What was fooded, including homes, is now uncovered and historians and naturalist and are using the dry lake bed to search for the past. Many locals also scour the bed with metal detctors hoping to find treasures.

Prior to the formation of the full lake there was a smaller pond where during the Civil War troops from both sides watered their horses...and themselves. Reminents of the war are still found in the area, even more so with new ground to cover.

The drought also affects business. Many have had to modify their method of operation, such as car washes. With the ban they can only use recycled water, and I am nt sure just how that can effect a car's finish. Most prssure washing comapnies have temporarially ceased business, and restaurant's serve water on request.

Hopefully the clmate will return to our usual mixture of sun & rain - and soon.
-Mike S.

[nsxt2000]

While Georgia is expericencing one of its worse droughts in recent history with lakes and reservoirs drying up and severe water restrictions and bans in effect, it has helped some busineses. Many of us who would normally wash our cars ourselves are now forced to have it done by a professional shop.

In Georgia the general rule is that if a car wash uses recycled water it is excluded from the ban and can remain in operation. Consequently most car washes report substantial increases in business over the same time in previous years.

Other busiensses are not so fortunate. One example is that my secretary's son operates a portable pressure washing company. He is a small two man operation and can not afford the investment necessary to reclaim water to operate. He is working other jobs until the drought ends and restrictions lifted.

We had my wife's MDX serviced today by the Acura dealer. When they returned the MDX they apologized for not washing it as is their standard practice, but due to the drought that benefit has been eliminated. We always gave the fellow washing it a couple of dollars tip, so the drought is adversely affecting him too.

Looks like one man's drought is another man's flood. Soon it will cost bars more to "water down" their drinks than just pour them strong.
-Mike S.

[APA0ll0]

You guys are definetly overdue for some rain

Up here it's been raining for the last month and a half

I miss the nice weather and sun:(

[nsxt2000]

Here in Georigia in spite of the drought we use our windshield wipers a lot - to clear the dust.
-Mike S.

[scottRDX]

I'm sorry to hear that Georgia is suffering from drought. This is the first year in about 5 years we have had normal precipitation in Colorado. Of course normal for Colorado is about 15 inches a year, probably a fraction of what you get in Georgia.

On the topic of car washes, I've always thought buying a self-serve carwash would be a great business to own. It sounds ideal to me because you have minimal employees, minimal overhead, and you have potential revenue 24 hours a day. Plus, you own the land, so you basically pay yourself rent every month. It looks like it could be an excellent passive income opportunity. What do you guys think?

Scott R.

[nsxt2000]

I know a fellow in our area who has two self serve car washes. These are nothing fancy like some I have seen, but your basic 4-5 stall power hose washes. He is retired and basically stops by every day or two to check on things and pick up money.

I don't know how lucrative an investment it is but he enjoys working part time at it. Next time I see him there I will see if he will give me an idea of possible money to be made vs investment required vs time needed. He is still open for business in spite of the drought although last time there I didn't see a sign indicating he is using recycled water as now required.
-Mike S.