Augusta, GA

Leaders want you to conserve water, but they say rumors about shutoffs aren’t true

Published

1 year ago

September 29, 2024

Leaders want you to conserve water, but they say rumors about shutoffs aren’t true

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Leaders in Augusta and other communities grappling with recovery from Hurricane Helene are urging people to conserve water – but they disavow rumors going around that they’ll shut off water use after a certain hour.

The rumors of water shutoff took flight Saturday, apparently fueled by social media.

That led Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson to make a statement at a news conference that the rumor was not true.

The rumor was perhaps fueled by a mixture of a curfew that’s been ordered as well as a request to conserve water.

But Johnson said at a news conference Saturday that it’s absolutely not true that either the city of Augusta or neighboring Columbia County will cut off water use for people.

He said it’s true that city officials are asking the public to conserve water.

A line of cars waits to get to the Kroger Marketplace along Jimmie Dyess Parkway near Fort...

And it’s true that in some cases utility workers have to isolate some water mains long enough to repair them, though that’s hard because of all the uprooted trees.

But the city is working to provide as much water as possible, he said.

Despite that claim, News 12 has gotten phone calls from viewers in south Augusta who complain that their water flow is down to a trickle, if that.

Requests for water conservation are being made by communities across the CSRA as widespread electrical outages continue. That’s electricity that normally pumps water from wells and refills water tanks.

Georgia Power is working to restore electric service

Leaders want to keep water tanks as full as possible to meet demand, so they are asking people not to water their yards and to otherwise conserve water.

Among the requests:

The cities of Girard, Vidette and Waynesboro request that water be conserved. If you need water, bring clean containers with lids and go to Burke County Emergency Management Agency stations at Spring Branch Church Road, Hephzibah-Keysville Road, Highway 305 in Gough, Story Mill Road, Highway 56 South between Waynesboro and Midville, and EMA headquarters in Waynesboro. Water is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at these stations.
The Allendale Water Department posted these tips on how to conserve water on a daily basis both inside and out, including turning off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving, reducing flushing and using washing machines for full loads only.
The Edgefield County Water and Sewer is asking all customers to conserve water in the aftermath of Helene. All facilities are currently operating on generator power, but fuel supplies are limited at this time. Please use water for cooking, bathing and bathroom use only.
The New Ellenton Commission of Public Works asks its customers to conserve water until power is restored. This will help the utility conserve water that’s currently in the tanks.
Also asking for conservation of water is the Montmorenci-Couchton Water & Sewer District. Without power, the utility can’t operate its wells to pump water back into the tanks.
The water system lost pressure in Jackson, and officials on Saturday asked that when service resumes, boil water before consuming it until further notice.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

Published

9 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Boxing Club faces financial uncertainty after nonprofit funding cuts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Boxing Club is facing financial uncertainty after Richmond County’s 2026 budget left no room to fund nonprofit organizations.

The county’s decision removes one of the club’s main financial supporters, leaving the historic organization without a key source of funding.

The Augusta Boxing Club is one of the nation’s longest-running amateur boxing clubs and has served at-risk youth in the Augusta area.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta picks new planning and development director

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Augusta picks new planning and development director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta-Richmond County has selected a new planning and development director nearly a year after the previous director resigned.

Commissioners voted to hire Adleasia J. Cameron, who goes by Lisa, after an executive session Tuesday.

Cameron was one of two finalists for the position, along with Ryan A. Bland.

The position has been vacant since May 30, when Carla Delaney resigned as planning and development director.

“Augusta has been home to me for many years, from my time as a middle and high school student to earning my graduate degree. It has truly been a privilege to work here and contribute to the community’s growth, sustainability, and development,” Delaney wrote in her letter of resignation.

Cameron is expected to start within the next 30 days.

Her salary will be $125,000, with a moving allowance of up to $10,000 reimbursed based on receipts.

Other commission action

Commissioners also received an update that a veterans cemetery will break ground at the end of the year.

A motion passed authorizing the Marshal’s Office to purchase two vehicles at a cost of more than $115,000.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta family flees Middle East as U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Augusta family flees Middle East as U.S. launches Operation Epic Fury

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta couple returned home from Israel and Egypt just as the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury Saturday.

This happened hours before the State Department issued an urgent warning urging Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries to “depart now” due to “serious safety risks.”

Diego and Maile Sprague had been staying with a host family in Jerusalem, south of the West Bank. The host family provides self-defense training to women and children living in the West Bank.

“We moved to Jerusalem just south of the West Bank and stayed with a host family that provides self-defense training to women and children that live on the West Bank,” Maile Sprague said. “Sometimes those places aren’t the safest.”

Couple tours Egypt as operation launches

The Spragues left their host family Friday morning to tour Egypt. By Saturday morning, the U.S. and Israel had rolled out Operation Epic Fury.

The couple said their host family was forced to flee their home after two nearby Arab-developed areas were attacked.

“We got word he and his wife had to leave their home because where they live there are two Arab developed areas… and they were attacked, so he and his wife had to flee their home,” Diego Sprague said.

Maile Sprague said the host family is now sheltering with neighbors.

“They are staying in their bomb shelter because there has been constant red alerts, so they’re sharing their bomb shelter with their neighbors,” she said.

Tourism industry shuts down in Egypt

While in Egypt, the Spragues said they witnessed the country’s tourism industry — its largest — coming to a halt.

“Everything that has to do with the tourism industry was closing down. Tourists were trying to leave, and all the buses were being routed to the border for Israel to pick people up from,” Maile Sprague said.

The couple had planned to return to their host family in Israel but instead made the decision to return home to Augusta. They landed in Atlanta hours before the State Department issued its “depart now” warning Monday.

The Spragues said they are safe. Their host family remains in a bomb shelter.

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