Outdoor Water Use Schedules and Restrictions
The EPD Director has declared a level four drought response for 55 north Georgia counties. A level four drought response prohibits most types of residential outdoor water use. The current level four drought response area includes all counties in north Georgia from Troup County on the Alabama line northeastward to Lincoln County on the South Carolina line. Click here to view a map or click here for a list of level four counties.
The EPD Director has announced that water withdrawal and drinking water system permit holders in the level four drought response area who do not depend on Lake Lanier and directly on releases from Buford Dam will be eligible to petition EPD for a modified drought response. EPD is working with the Georgia Association of Water Professionals to establish petitioning procedures and information will be posted on this web page as it becomes available.
The remainder of the state is in a level two drought response or a level one drought response depending on drought conditions. The level two drought response watering schedule is as follows:
- Odd-numbered addresses may water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 12 midnight to 10 a.m.
- Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12 midnight to 10 a.m.
- Use of hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health. safety or flushing is prohibited.
- Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except when necessary for public health and safety is prohibited.
A level one drought response watering schedule is as follows:
The Board of Natural Resources adopted Rules for Outdoor Water Use, Chapter 391-3-30 in May 2004. Under the rules, Georgians are required to follow schedules for outdoor water use during both non-drought periods and during periods of declared drought. The rules are consistent with Section 4 (Drought Responses) of the Georgia Drought Management Plan, which the Board adopted in 2003. The rules apply to any entity, and its customers, permitted by EPD for water withdrawal or for the operation of a public drinking water supply system.
The state’s Rules for Outdoor Water Use include some exemptions for commercial water use. On February 11, 2008, the EPD Director ordered additional, but limited exemptions for landscape and swimming pools. Local governments and water providers are authorized to implement more stringent outdoor water use schedules within their jurisdictions.
Links
For more information on water conservation and drought conditions, please visit these web sites:
Drought in Georgia - University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
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