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WATER RESTRICTIONS AND CONSERVATION
The City of Gainesville is currently operating under drought response level 4 as mandated by the Governor of Georgia in October 2007.
What is drought response level 4?
It is a GA EPD emergency response to extreme drought conditions and is issued to ensure our water supplies remains viable. It bans most outdoor water use.
Can I water my personal food/vegetable garden?
Yes. EPD exempts personal food gardens from Level 4 watering restrictions. However, we encourage you to use the most efficient methods for watering your food garden. Water late evenings or early mornings and mulch to help the soil retain moisture.
What if I have a water fountain?
The use of ornamental fountains, even re-circulating fountains, is prohibited in Level 4. The only exemption would be if they are filled and maintained from an alternate source. This would require an inspection from our water conservation specialist. Call 770-532-7462 for an appointment. Once approved a sign must be posted indicating the fountain is run from an alternate source. Ornamental ponds containing aquatic life (i.e. Kio pond) are exempt from restriction.
Can I fill my swimming pool?
Yes. On February 12th EPD announced that the filling of pools would be allowed this summer (this includes plastic or vinyl wading pools). There are no clock or calendar restrictions on the filling of swimming pools. The swimming pool exemption was granted due to concerns that neglected and partially filled pools could pose risks to public health and safety.
Can I use reclaimed water to water my outdoor plants?
Yes. The use of reclaimed water (i.e. rain water, air conditioner condensate or dish/rinse water) is exempt from restrictions. We encourage rain water harvesting and offer rain barrel workshops throughout the year. See www.gainesville.org.
Is watering from an alternate source (i.e. pumping from a creek, well, or lake) exempt from restrictions?
Yes. If an individual has an alternate source, a sign in clear visibility. We caution that these water bodies also face difficulty during the drought and are unlikely to recharge. Draining down these smaller bodies does impact streams and rivers that are fed by these sources and our drinking water supply.
Odd/Even Schedule:
12 Midnight – 10 AM
| Even: |
Monday
Wednesday
Saturday |
| Odd: |
Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday |
I am a professional, licensed painter or power washer can I power wash?
Yes. Professional licensed power washers can operate as essential to daily business. Homeowners/property owners are still prohibited from power washing. Pressure washing of driveways or other impervious “ground” surfaces should only be performed when necessary for public health and safety or pre-procedure. Per the Environmental Health Department, restaurants may have to wash the dumpster area of their business from any spillage. They are encouraged to use dry removal methods if possible.
I have over seeded my lawn. Can I water it?
EPD considers over-seeding of lawns new landscaping. Follow the procedure for new landscape installation exemption.
I have applied pesticides or herbicides to my lawn. Can I water it in?
Pesticides and herbicides applied to the lawn may be watered in following the odd/even schedule from 12 midnight to 10 am.
Can a car dealership wash cars on the premises?
Car dealerships may wash cars in a wash bay and only as essential to daily business. Professional mobile detailers who are in the business of washing cars must have a current business license to operate.
Can I hold a charity carwash to raise money?
No – even though it is for a charitable cause, non-commercial car washes are not allowed under Drought Response level 4.
How can I get my garden through the drought?
- Capture the condensation from your air conditioner unit. Some units provide up to 20 gallons of water a day.
- Use a rain barrel to capture rain water.
- Catch the water in your shower as you wait for it to heat up, use it to water plants.
- Save a few gallon jugs. Perforate the bottom with small nail holes. Fill with water you save indoors or from your AC unit. Place them throughout your garden. It will deliver slow water to the roots.
The exemption for soaker hoses and drip irrigation is effective March 3, 2009. This exemption allows the use of these efficient forms of irrigation 1 hour on the odd/even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. on established plants defined as: trees, flowers, vines and shrubs. The use of soaker hoses and drip irrigation is not permitted on lawns or turf.
What is considered drip irrigation and soaker hoses?
Drip irrigation is defined as systems manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water through small flexible pipes and emitters slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting of plant foliage.
Soaker hoses are defined as a hose that is connected to a typical outdoor faucet and that is manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants by allowing water to seep from it in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting of plant foliage.
Additional Resources:
www.ConserveWaterGeorgia.net
www.caes.uga.edu/topics/disasters/drought/
www.georgiaepd.com
If I have a drip irrigation connected to my irrigation system can I run the whole system?
No. If you have one or more zones in your irrigation system that are drip irrigation you will need to isolate those valves and run only drip zones of your system. Above ground irrigation is still banned at Level 4, except for the 10 week new landscape exemption.
For more information on soaker hose and drip irrigation visit:
http://www.conservewatergeorgia.net/documents/drip_irrigation.html
- Hand watering is defined as, “one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off automatically when released.”
- Homeowners may water existing landscape between the hours of midnight - 10 a.m. on the designated days based on the odd/even numbered addresses for a total of 25 minutes per day.
- Odd numbered addresses may water: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Even numbered addresses may water: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
- No watering is allowed on Friday
- No irrigation systems or sprinklers are allowed under this exemption.
Can I use my 25 minute hand watering for other activities (washing my car, dog, house, outdoor recreation, cleaning off equipment etc.)?
No. These activities are still banned at the State Drought Response Level 4. The State made very specific exemptions the reasons are:
- To assist the landscape/nursery industries who are suffering enormous losses.
- To limit the environmental damage caused by the total ban such as damaged trees and excessive erosion.
- Closed pools posed a significant health risk.
- The drought is not over. The purpose of loosening restrictions was not to allot everyone time to use water outdoors; it was for the specific outlined purposes.
If I can’t hand water can I run my sprinkler for 25 minutes instead?
No. We sympathize that some customers may be unable to hand water at this time. The state has made very clear exemptions and hand watering, drip irrigation and soaker hose are the only methods of watering allowed for established landscapes at this time. The exemptions were created with the goal of allowing some maintenance but limiting the amount of water used and the stress on the resource.
- Effective March 15, 2008, an exemption is provided for new landscape installations. In order to qualify for a new landscape exemption, the customer must enroll in the Urban Agriculture Council’s online Water Conservation Class at www.outdoorwateruse.com (there is a $4.95 fee). Please note: a landscaper may not take the quiz for the property representative or homeowner. If you have problems with the quiz please contact info@urbanagcouncil.com. Forms obtained from the course along with a City of Gainesville New Landscape Installation form (can be printed from www.gainesville.org), and a receipt of plant material or invoice from landscaper must be sent to:
The Water Conservation Program
2641 Old Flowery Branch Road
Gainesville, GA 30504
- A copy of the certificate must also be displayed prominently in the front of the lot.
- Failure to submit the forms and receipt may result in a water ban violation and possible discontinuation of an irrigation account.
- Times to water will be based upon the odd/even address system and allowed from midnight to 10:00 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks.
- Odd numbered addresses: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
- Even numbered addresses: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
- No watering is allowed on Friday
You can also register free of charge, by appointment only, at Hall County Extension Office (770.535.8293) or Flat Creek Water Reclamation Facility (770.532.7462)
What if I don’t have internet access – how can I take the quiz to plant new landscape?
This quiz will be available through Hall County Extension Office. Please call to make an appointment at 770-535-8293. There is no charge for taking the quiz at the extension.
What type of watering is allowed for NEW landscape?
If new installation consists of a small number of plants or is a small area, we urge you to hand water, use soaker hoses, micro-irrigation or drip irrigation; but for larger areas, you may use a traditional irrigation system on the odd/even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. for 10 weeks.
For current information on local and/or state imposed water restrictions, customers are urged to stay tuned to TV18, The Government Channel for Gainesville and Hall County or contact the Gainesville Public Utilities Department at (770) 535-6878.
Proper management of water is essential to ensure an ample supply for present and future generations. As part of its overall water conservation program to protect this limited resource, the City of Gainesville will implement the designated “Declared Drought Response Level” restrictions as the Georgia Environmental Protection Division deems necessary from the state climatologists’ reports. The Declared Drought Response Levels are as follows:
Declared Drought Response Level 1
Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
- Scheduled days for odd-numbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
- Scheduled days for even-numbered addresses are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Declared Drought Response Level 2
Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m.
- Scheduled days for odd-numbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
- Scheduled days for even-numbered addresses and golf course fairways are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- The following uses are prohibited:
- Using hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.
- Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except when necessary for public health and safety.
Declared Drought Response Level 3
Outdoor water use may occur on the scheduled day within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m.
- The scheduled day for odd-numbered addresses is Sunday.
- The scheduled day for even-numbered addresses and golf course fairways is Saturday.
- The following uses are prohibited:
- Using hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.
- Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, except when necessary for public health and safety
- Filling installed swimming pools except when necessary for health care or structural integrity.
- Washing vehicles, such as cars, boats, trailers, motorbikes, airplanes, golf carts.
- Washing buildings or structures except for immediate fire protection.
- Non-commercial fund-raisers, such as car washes.
- Using water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools, and waterfalls except when necessary to support aquatic life.
Declared Drought Response Level 4
No outdoor water use is allowed.
The Public Utilities Department has compiled the following suggestions to reduce water consumption and promote water recycling:
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Do not wash partial loads of dishes or clothes. Always fill the machine full.
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When washing dishes by hand, don't keep the water running for rinsing. Sit the soapy dishes in one side of the sink. Rinse them all at the same time.
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Don't use running water to thaw out meat. Thaw meat in advance in the refrigerator.
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Rinse fruits and vegetables in a container of water rather than run water continuously.
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Don't let the water run while you brush your teeth. Wet your brush and then turn the water off until you're ready to rinse.
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Check all faucets and pipes for leaks on a routine basis. Even a small drip will add up over 30 days.
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Check your toilets for leaks by adding food coloring to the tank when you're ready to go to bed. If the color shows up in the bowl the next morning, you have a leak.
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React immediately if a chain gets hung up under the toilet flapper mechanism. The toilet will run continuously until the next time someone flushes it, wasting gallons of water.
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Don't think of the toilet as a wastebasket. Dispose of tissues, cigarettes and trash in an appropriate waste container.
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Reduce the amount of water being used for each toilet flush by placing a brick or a bottle filled with water in the tank. Be sure it is tucked into the corner of the tank away from the flushing mechanism.
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Consider replacing an older model toilet with a new water-saving one. They use half as much water as those made 10 years ago or longer.
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Attach a nozzle to your garden hose when washing the car. That will keep water from running continuously until you're ready to rinse.
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Consider washing the car at a commercial car wash. They are economical, efficient and use less water per wash than cars washed at home.
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Use a broom or blower instead of a garden hose to clean the driveway and sidewalks.
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Use a container to collect the cool water running down the drain while you wait for hot water to run out of the faucet.
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The final rinse water can be dipped out of the washing machine (before the spin cycle), and can be used to water plants.
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When watering the lawn, take care to position the sprinkler so that water isn't wasted on the street or driveway.
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Only water the lawn when it's absolutely necessary, and water for a longer period of time. Prolonged watering will help the grass develop a deep root structure that makes it more drought resistant. Watering for ten or fifteen minute periods results in a shallow root system that will require more frequent watering and create drought intolerance.
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Water your lawn in the early part of the day. This will prevent water loss due to evaporation.
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When possible, spot water only the plants that need it using a watering can or bucket, rather than a sprinkler.
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Place mulch around the base of trees, shrubs, and flower beds to reduce moisture loss.
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Use a bucket to collect condensation water that drips off your air conditioning unit and use it to water trees and shrubs.
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When landscaping, plant shrubs and trees that are drought and heat tolerant. A local nursery can help you select those needing less moisture to survive.
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Plant only in the spring and fall. Installing new landscape materials during the summer months will require more watering to help them survive. |
 We welcome your ideas for additional ways to conserve water and reduce water utility bills. Contact our Customer Service Department at (770) 535-6878, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday, or fax your suggestion to: (770) 538-2414.
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