MarJac Poultry Complex Manager Joel Williams said his company is focusing on more water reclamation since the state issued its 10 percent reduction mandate.
"As the mandate came out we had to get a little more creative in our thinking on where were good sources to be able to salvage and put a little more money into the systems on smaller volumes that we probably hadn't thought of before," Williams said. "We've gone back to smaller volume systems to reclaim and reuse it."
MarJac plant manager Phillip Turner said his company, already practicing conservation to save money, has reduced water use 15 percent.
"We've had to go a little bit further along those lines and of course that required a little more capital expenditure too," Turner said.
Randall said it would be difficult for area poultry plants to cut water use further without cutting jobs.
He added water reduction also needs to occur in homes as well as businesses, but he urged the big customers to continue conservation, reminding them of the city's mandated consumption at 15.82 million gallons a day.
Randall said there was an incredible nine percent reduction in October and 10 percent in November adding that December is off to a "remarkable" start.
Randall said earlier this week Gainesville's average for December so far was 14.67 million gallons per day, over a million gallons below what the target is.
With the state's mandated consumption limits in place, Randall said while developers can still get rezonings, water meter permits for new projects not already in the 'pipe line' will be difficult to get as the drought continues.
He also encouraged builders to develop with sewer because treated wastewater discharge returns water to Lake Lanier much faster than septic tank systems.
Big water customers listen at the Ga. Mountains Ctr.
Kelly Randall speaks to big water users
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/12/204689