Georgia Drought: Water Restrictions Continue In Gwinnett

PEACHTREE CORNERS, GA — Local officials are reminding residents that, despite recent heavy rains in the area, state-mandated water restrictions are still in place in Gwinnett County.

The restrictions include limits on lawn-watering and a ban on a number of other outdoor water uses.

A report prepared this month by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division said the past three months have shown the majority of the state has had below-average rainfall — all but some portions of northeast and northwest Georgia.

Seven counties in north Georgia are experiencing severe drought and three are in the middle of an even-worse extreme drought, according to the report.

Allowed, But Restricted, Water Uses

• Outdoor landscape watering is allowed only two days a week, determined by you address number. Even-numbered addresses (those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) and properties without numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Saturday, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Odd numbered addresses (those ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) may water on Thursday and Sunday, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Personal food gardens may be irrigated at any time.
• New and replanted plants and new seed or turf may be watered any time for 30 days after they are installed.
• Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses may be done at any time. Hand watering with a hose or handheld container may be done at any time.

Prohibited Water Uses

• Washing hard surfaces, such as streets or sidewalks
• Water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains
• The use of fire hydrants for anything other than firefighting and public safety
• non-commercial washing of vehicles
• non-commercial pressure washing
• fundraising car washes

If you have any questions regarding watering restrictions, you may contact the Gwinnett County Water Department via email at dwrconserve@gwinnettcounty.com or call 678-376-7100.

Photo via Pixabay, graphic courtesy Georgia Environmental Protection Division