"We have no rivers in Paulding County," says county commission Chairman Jerry Shearin. "We don't have any lakes in Paulding County. We're totally dependent on the Cobb-Marietta Water Authority to provide us with water."

So Paulding County officials have taken action.

The county is imposing stricter water sanctions, aimed at commercial users.

Shearin says they have little choice.

"I think we're at the end of the water line," Shearin tells WSB. "There's a lot of people in between us and where the water starts, and we're the last ones to get any water. So we'll be the first one to be effected if there's a shortage, or a stoppage, in the water supply."

Under the new rules, car washes and landscapers who do not recycle their water are no longer exempt from the outdoor watering ban. Commissioners also called for a zoning moratorium on commercial and residential construction.

Shearin says he's open to any ideas businesses might have to ease the sanctions on them.

"We're going to work with them anyway we can," he says, "because we want to help them. We're not in the business of putting people out of business in Paulding County."

The new restrictions in Paulding County go into effect on November 1.

October 30, 2007