MEDIA RELEASE
|
For Immediate Release
June 25, 2008 |
Contact: Public Utilities Department
706-613-3470 |
Modification to Outdoor Water Use Restrictions
(Athens, GA) – Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison has signed an order modifying local outdoor water use restrictions to allow one day a week outdoor watering in addition to the existing restrictions that have been in effect since April 2, 2008.
On May 6, 2008, the Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced that permitted water users may petition EPD to modify the existing water restrictions, established by the State. On June 24, 2008, ACC received a letter from EPD, approving ACC’s petition to move from Drought Response Modification IV to Drought Response Modification IVa.
This modification means that effective June 30, 2008, outdoor watering of plants or lawns by any method, including spray irrigation, will be allowed on weekdays from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m. based on the last digit of a customer’s address. There is no outdoor watering on Saturday or Sundays, except for hand watering of existing landscapes and special permit watering of newly installed landscaping.
The new outdoor watering schedule that includes this modification is:
Outdoor Water Uses – No Permit Required
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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ONLY
Odd-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
|
Addresses ending in
0 or 1:
Outdoor watering by any method, including spray irrigation, from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m
Even-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
|
Addresses ending in
2 or 3:
Outdoor watering by any method, including spray irrigation, from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m
Odd-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. |
Addresses ending in
4 or 5:
Outdoor watering by any method, including spray irrigation, from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m
Even-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
|
Addresses ending in
6 or 7:
Outdoor watering by any method, including spray irrigation, from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m
Odd-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. |
Addresses ending in
8 or 9:
Outdoor watering by any method, including spray irrigation, from 12:00 midnight until 10:00 a.m
|
ONLY
Even-numbered addresses:
Hand watering* of existing landscapes, 25 minutes a day, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
|
*Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle attached that shuts off automatically when released.
Please note: There is no outdoor watering on Saturday or Sundays, except for hand watering of existing landscapes and special permit watering of newly installed landscaping per the odd/even schedule.
Other Outdoor Water Uses – No Permit Needed
· Swimming Pools: Swimming pools may be topped off and maintained as necessary. Filling and/or refilling of swimming pools will require a Special Use Permit.
· Pressure Washing: Only for addressing immediate human health and/or safety risk purposes.
Outdoor Water Uses – Special Permit Required
· Swimming Pools: Filling and refilling.
· Newly Installed Landscaping: New landscaping installed by a professional or homeowner/property owner may be watered after registering with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program at http:www.urbanagcouncil.com. A copy of the completed certification must be presented to obtain a permit. Watering will be allowed by any method for 10 weeks following installation only between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m., based on the odd/even schedule.
· Pressure Washing: Pressure washing allowed only prior to a procedure such as painting, etc. Pressure washing for aesthetic or beautification purposes is prohibited.
· Watering in of pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers by a licensed professional only
· Flushing of water lines for new developments
· Water uses relative to construction projects
All other outdoor water uses remain prohibited, including the washing of vehicles (except through a business that has obtained a Special Use Permit).
The modifications to outdoor water use are subject to change based on available water supply and reduction mandates in monthly usage set forth by the Governor and Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
These modifications apply to all residential, commercial, governmental, and institutional customers of the Athens-Clarke County public water supply system. Private water supplies such as wells are currently exempt from the outdoor water use restrictions, but conservation is encouraged as groundwater supplies have also been impacted by the drought.
The Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department urges citizens to follow all outdoor water use restrictions and conserve water indoors whenever possible. Authorized Athens-Clarke County personnel will be enforcing the restrictions, with surcharges of $1000.00 and/or termination of water service for violating the outdoor water use restrictions.
Please call 706-613-3470, visit the Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department located at 1865 W. Broad Street, Suite C., or visit www.accpublicutilities.com for additional information.
Remember to Think at the Sink about all water use and visit www.thinkatthesink.com for additional water conservation information.
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