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Outdoor Watering Restrictions in Georgia

Georgia, which routinely experiences drought, established rules for outside water use in June 2010. In November 2010, the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences reported that the state received less than 70 percent of its normal rain, with many coastal areas receiving 50 percent less than normal rainfall. Prior to the establishment of the current water use rules, a schedule was already in effect in 55 counties experiencing drought.

  1. Odd and Even Days

    • The odd and even days schedule is used for activities other than watering greenery. Residences that have odd-numbered addresses may use water in nonhorticultural applications -- such as washing cars or power washing a structure -- only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered residences may make nonhorticultural use of water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Water is not to be used, other than for horticulture uses, on Fridays.

    Times of Day

    • Anyone whose water is supplied by a company permitted by Georgia's Environmental Protection Division may only water shrubs, lawn, groundcover and other foliage between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. This applies on odd or even days when residences are permitted to water, according to the Georgia Water Stewardship Act, which went into effect June 2, 2010. On these days people may use power washers or wash their cars. There is no exception to these activities listed in Georgia's Water Stewardship Act rules.

    Perpetually Permitted Uses

    • Some uses of water are permitted any time of the day by anyone on a daily basis. These activities include water use related to commercial agriculture, the capture and reuse of condensate or storm water, the reuse of gray water, the use of reclaimed waste water and the irrigation of personal food gardens. Irrigation of newly planted seed may be done during the new landscape's first 30 days, after which the restrictions apply.

    Unregulated Watering Methods

    • Day and time rules don't apply in certain methods of watering, such as through drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Hand-watering with a hose that has an automatic cutoff or handheld container is also allowed daily at any time of the day by anyone. Those who use water drawn from a private well are exempt from these rules. Those watering crops for sale and those attempting to install, maintain or calibrate an irrigation system may do so without regard to days and times.

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