• Click here for updates as of June 10, 2009…

Gwinnett County continues to be designated as a Level Four state drought response county.

Watering schedule as of May, 2009

For Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hose
Each household, business or other institution/property owner may use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water existing landscaping. Watering is allowed for 1 hour per day for 3 days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00am on an odd-even address system (even addresses end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no house number and odd addresses end in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9). The following schedule applies to existing landscape areas to include trees, flowers, vines and shrubs (this does not include turf grass):

Gwinnett County Outdoor Watering Schedule (Drip Irrigation/Soaker Hose):
Monday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Tuesday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Wednesday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Thursday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Friday - No watering allowed at all
Saturday - Even - 12am - 10am - 1 hour
Sunday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 1 hour

For Hand Held Garden Hoses
Each household, business or other institution/property owner will be allowed to use one hand held garden hose (equipped with standard spray nozzle and automatic release shut-off). Watering is allowed for 25 minutes a day during the designated hours indicated below on an odd-even address system (even addresses end in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no house number and odd addresses end in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9). The following schedule applies to existing landscapes as well as small, newly installed landscape areas (i.e., flowerbeds, containers,etc.).

Gwinnett County Outdoor Watering Schedule (Hand Held Hose):
Monday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Tuesday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Wednesday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Thursday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Friday - No watering allowed at all
Saturday - Even - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes
Sunday - Odd - 12am - 10am - 25 minutes

Exemptions From Outdoor Watering Restrictions
According to the state Outdoor Water Use Rules (Chapter 391-3-30.05 Exemptions). The following are exempt from current Level 4 Drought Restrictions:
a. Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with
applicable local ordinances.
b. Reuse of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances.
c. Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to
provide reclaimed wastewater.
d. Irrigation of personal food gardens.
e. Water use, circulation and aeration for ponds or fountains, which maintain aquatic life.
f. Water may be used to wash hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks
driveways, school buses, fire trucks, emergency vehicles and police cars ONLY when
necessary for public health and safety.
g. Water may be used to water-in pesticides and herbicides.
h. Landscape professionals who hold a valid business license may use water to hydro-seed a lawn.
i. Landscape and irrigation contractors who hold a valid business license may use water
during installation of irrigation equipment and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
j. Sod producers, food and fiber producers, ornamental growers, fruit and vegetable growers,
nurseries and retail garden centers may water their stock.
k. Powerwashing contractors who hold a valid business license may use water to run
their powerwashing equipment for customers.
l. Water may be used on construction sites.
m. Water may be used for commercial car wash operations.
n. Water may be used for other activities essential to daily business (This exemption refers to activities that are part of a primary operation of a business. For example, a window washing business or a mobile car wash business is included in this category.

Authorized Uses
Drip Irrigation (trees, flowers, vines and shrubs; this does not include turf grass). The use of an irrigation system 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. This type of system may be a part of a larger automated irrigation system or may operate as a standalone system connected to a typical outdoor faucet. See watering schedule above for drip irrigation.

Soaker Hose (trees, flowers, vines and shrubs; this does not include turf grass). 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. See watering schedule above for soaker hose.

Filling Swimming Pools. Each household, business or other institution/property owner may fill swimming pools without day or time restrictions.

Hand-watering (plants, seed and turf). Hand-watering is defined as one person with one hose. See Watering Schedule above.

Irrigating Newly Installed Landscapes. In order to qualify for a new landscape exemption, customers must complete the State of Georgia’s Outdoor Water Use Registration Program (the program consists of a presentation and test). A representative from the property must complete the program and pass the quiz for businesses and homeowner associations. A property owner must complete the program and pass the test for an individual home. The program is available online at www.outdoorwateruse.com and at the Gwinnett County Extension Services office. There is a convenience fee of $4.95 to complete the online program. However, the program is available at no charge at the Gwinnett County Extension Office located at the following:

757 South Perry Street
Annex Building 4th Floor
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

For additional information or to report a violation call Gwinnett County at 678-376-7100, or send an e-mail to: dwrwaterbanquestions@gwinnettcounty.com.