Atlanta's Worst Water Hog---Update

Cobb top water guzzler says he'll try to cut back
Single-family home used 440,000 gallons in one month

By TOM OPDYKE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/13/07

The Cobb County homeowner who guzzled his way to the top of the county residential water users list has enlisted a public relations company that made a statement Wednesday on his behalf.

Chris G. Carlos, through the Ledlie Group of Atlanta, issued a statement Wednesday in which he says in the future he will consume less than the 440,000 gallons his October bill says he used.
Tom Opdyke/AJC



Atlanta Country Club home of Chris Carlos, Cobb County's largest residential water user.



"I honestly didn't realize the extent of my water use and regret I didn't act sooner. I want to be a part of the solution to the water crisis," Carlos said in the statement.

"I am going to take whatever steps are necessary to substantially reduce my water consumption. This includes seeking the advice and guidance of conservation professionals in exploring all possible water saving measures," the statement said.

Carlos' 14,000-square-foot home is on 3.8 lush acres in Atlanta Country Club and includes a pool. The 440,000 gallons he used in a month would fill the average backyard pool 58 times.

Carlos has not responded to repeated interview requests, made by telephone and at the intercom of his gated home.

The statement through the public relations agency is his first comment since his water use - though not illegal under rules in effect at the time - sparked outrage in an area struggling through its worst drought in 168 years.

For the six days through Tuesday, Cobb County Water System contractors have read Carlos' meter each day. It shows water use of about 2,000 gallons daily, according to Cobb County spokesman Robert Quigley. The average Cobb household uses 217 gallons.

Carlos also was identified by the Cobb water system as its top user among September bills - at 339,000 gallons.

"It is frankly inconceivable to use that much water, regardless of the drought," said Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens on Tuesday.

Carlos was warned Oct. 1 about violating the outdoor watering ban and a letter followed Oct. 10, county water system officials said.

His use abated, but was still sizeable.

Between early October and Nov. 7, he used 121,000 gallons, according to county records.

Other than encouraging conservation, Cobb had not until Nov. 1 imposed punitive measures unless users were violating the outdoor watering ban.

Now, users who don't cut consumption by 10 percent over last winter will be surcharged.

The county is sending warning letters to its top 150 users this week and next.

Commercial users will be surcharged 25 percent if they don't meet the goal.

Large-scale consumers such as Carlos will pay $5 per 1,000 gallons on more than 50,000 gallons. Typical household consumers, who use up to 8,000 gallons monthly, pay less than half that.

Cobb toughened its water conservation measures Nov. 1 to include penalties for car washes and detail shops that do not recycle water, limitations on commercial pressure washing (only for health and safety or in preparation for painting), and a 15-day limit, instead of 30, on watering new plantings by commercial installers. Plantings can only qualify for the 15-day window once in the spring and fall.