Although Georgia’s drought isn’t over yet, Governor Perdue announced some loosening of watering restrictions today that will take effect on April 1st. The changes were made to help the landscaping industry which was facing a very bleak year if the current no watering at all ban remained in place. The changes also resolve the question of what to do about swimming pools this summer.

For most homeowners, the biggest change will be that they can hand water their landscapes for 25 minutes a day, three days a week.  Hand watering means using a single hose with a spray nozzle that has shutoff valve.  Property owners can water between midnight and 8 AM on the same odd-even schedule used for other drought levels.

The new rules effectively mean that you can water your flower gardens and shrubs, but you probably aren’t going to be able to effectively water your lawn, given the time limit.  Remember, food gardens are already exempt from the watering ban. You can’t use your time to wash your car, though.

The rules have also changed for professionally installed landscaping.  Under the current restrictions, professionally installed landscaping could be watered any time for 30 days after installation.  The new rules look similar to the level 2 drought restrictions in place last summer: you can water from midnight to 10 AM on your designated odd/even day for a maximum of 10 weeks. Prior to being allowed to water newly installed landscape, you need to register either with your county extension agent, or at the Urban Agricultural Council website. Registrations will be accepted after March 1st.

State officials are hoping that due to the limits in watering days and times, the amount of water used will be roughly the same as what would be used in the 30 day period under the previous restrictions. Limiting watering of new landscapes to 30 days encouraged people to overwater, and a 10 week period allows more time for shrubs to grow roots and adapt to their new environment.

The third  change allows the filling of swimming pools this summer, previously banned under the level 4 restrictions. This applies not only to large underground or above-ground pools, but also to smaller wading pools used by small children.  Despite the EPD’s estimate that the almost 100,000 pools in the level 4 drought area will use 9 million gallons of water a day, the decision to loosen restrictions was made because by not allowing filling of pools, they could become health hazards.

The last big change in the watering rules affects water utilities. Under the present regulations, utilities could were subject to fines unless their water usage was 10% below what they used from January-March, 2007.  For the summer months, this is being changed to 10% below their April-September monthly average.  In addition, water utilities will be allowed to request additional modifications if their permitted water supply, expected usage  and location specific conditions exist.  For example, Gwinnett County could request that TPC Sugarloaf be allowed to water their golf course due to the upcoming AT&T Classic because of the economic impact the event brings to the county.  The EPD must agree to any additional exemptions.

Of course, as in the past, local water providers can impose more stringent restrictions as they see fit. I think that there is hope that the drought will loosen its grip as summer starts, and EPD recognizes this.  But don’t be surprised if we go back to the status quo should rain fail to develop.

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Posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Categories: Drought.
Tags: Gardening Weather, Watering Ban.
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