Griffin is the first metro city to impose an outdoor water ban due to the drought.  The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict the drought will worsen over the next 60 days.

With the levels dropping in the Flint River and tributaries to the Heads Creek Reservoir, Public Works Director, Brant Keller, says the city of Griffin is issuing more stringent water restrictions to help perserve the raw water supply for drinking water purposes.

"In order to curtail any major disaster here in Griffin, we decided to move forward and ban outside watering of residential and commmerical operations," said Keller.

The ban affects all outdoor watering begining Friday, September 16.  The restrictions include watering lawns and landscape, washing cars, pressure washing buildings or the use of ornamental fountains.

"We just felt that like having had this experience in the past and with the models that we have now, it's better to take a proactive position and move forward from there," said Keller.

He says reservoir levels are expected to drop further, turning the water brown and smelly.  However, Keller says it will remain safe to drink.