Augusta issues water use restrictions

"We need to take this seriously. This is a real threat to our community and we need to be responsive and try to react in a positive way by being proactive," explains City Manager Bill Keefer.

The Augusta City Council is asking people to voluntarily conserve water - especially outdoor usage.

That puts a pinch on places like the Augusta Country Club that says it's been asked to cut back during droughts in the past.

"If we can keep our greens going, and our tee boxes going, our fairways can kind of get by with Bermuda grass and we'll be able to cut back and help out," said Rusty Patterson, President of the Augusta Country Club Board.

But Patterson, like most everyone in the city is hoping for rain before any mandatory restrictions have to be put into place.

"It would basically shut a golf course down if we couldn't get water to keep everything alive."

Homeowners, like Diane Hummel, say they have no problem helping the city conserve. As much as she likes her green yard, she says she'll do what the city needs her to do.

The city will monitor water usage during the voluntary conservation period and re-evaluate whether stronger measures need to be taken.