The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has declared a Level 1 drought response across the state, issuing a statewide directive that requires every public water system to launch a public information campaign aimed at helping residents understand current conditions and the need for water conservation. The declaration, announced on April 27, 2026, marks the formal activation of the first tier of Georgia’s three-level drought response framework as dry conditions continue across the state. What the Level 1 Declaration Requires Under the directive, all public water systems must implement a public information campaign that includes, at a minimum, notice regarding drought conditions and drought-specific announcements. The Georgia