Starting on June 1, 2010, the following watering rules became law:

Persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only from  4 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The following outdoor water use is allowed at all times (no limits on time of day):

(A) Commercial agricultural operations

(B) Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines;

(C) Reuse of gray water in compliance with applicable local board of health regulations

(D) Use of reclaimed waste water by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the department to provide reclaimed waste water;

(E) Irrigation of personal food gardens;

(F) Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed, or turf in landscapes, golf courses, or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation;

(G) Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses;

(H) Handwatering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container;

(I) Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;

(J) Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation;

(K) Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas;

(L) Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems; or

(M) Hydroseeding.

Always check with your local water provider before assuming you can water your landscape.

City and County Water Department Contact Information

Georgia EPD Watering Rules