A message from DeKalb County and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division:
DeKalb County is one of 52 counties under Level 2 drought restrictions being mandated by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and enforced by the county.
Under Level 2 drought, outdoor irrigation for purposes of planting, growing, managing or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants are limited to two days a week on an odd-even schedule:
- Even numbered addresses and sites without numbered addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays and Saturdays before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Odd numbered addresses may irrigate on Thursdays and Sundays before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- No outdoor watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The following outdoor water uses are prohibited:
- Washing hard surfaces such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways, except when necessary for public health and safety.
- Using water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools and waterfalls.
- Use of fire hydrants, except for the purposes of firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.
- Washing vehicles, such as cars, boats, trailers, motorbikes, airplanes or golf carts.
- Non-commercial washing, or pressure washing, of buildings or structures, except for immediate fire protection.
- Charity or non-commercial fundraiser car washes.
The following watering practices are still allowed at this time:
- Commercial agriculture operations as defined in Georgia Code Section 1-3-3.
- Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or stormwater in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines.
- Reuse gray water in compliance with Georgia Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
- Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by the EPD of the department to provide reclaimed waste water.
- Irrigation of personal food gardens.
- Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed or turf in landscape, golf courses or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation.
- Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses.
- Hand-watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container.
- Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operate of property if such well or surface water is on said property.
- Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale or installation.
- Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses or public turf grass recreational areas.
- Installation, maintenance or calibration of irrigation systems.
- Hydroseeding.
For more information on the latest drought status, visit www.northgeorgiawater.org/current-water-stats/drought-status/.
