The City of Bloomingdale was recently notified by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that the Board adopted RULES FOR OUTDOOR WATER USE, Chapter 391-3-30. Under the new rules, Georgians will be required to follow schedules for outdoor water use during both non-drought periods and during periods of declared drought. There are some exemptions to these rules, including newly installed landscapes, golf courses and commercial uses. The following information outlines the rules as adopted by the Board of Natural Resources. You can find information on proper outdoor watering procedures as outlined by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at www.conservewatergeorgia.net. Copies of this information are also available at City Hall for those citizens who do not have access to the internet.

The City of Bloomingdale realizes the importance of protecting this most valuable natural resource and encourages everyone to do their part in conserving water. If you have any questions, you can contact the City Hall at 748-0970.

 

RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION

CHAPTER 391-3-30

OUTDOOR WATER USE

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

391-3-30-.01 Definitions

391-3-30-.02 Applicability of Rule

391-3-30-.03 Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Non-Drought Periods

391-3-30-.04 Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Declared Drought Response Levels

391-3-30-.05 Exemptions

391-3-30-.06 Local and Regional Options

391-3-30-.01 Definitions

When used in this Chapter:

(1) Address means the house number (a numeric or alphanumeric designation) that, together with the street name, describes a physical location of a specific property. Even numbered address means a house number ending with the number 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, or no house number. Odd numbered address means a house number ending with the number 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

(2) Declared Drought Response Level means one of four levels of drought that can be declared based on the severity of drought conditions, with one being the least severe and four being the most severe.

391-3-30-.02 Applicability of Rule

These rules apply to any entity, and its customers, permitted by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for water withdrawal or for operation of a drinking water system.

391-3-30-.03 Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Non-Drought Period

(1) Outdoor water use other than exempted activities shall occur only as follows:

(a) Odd-numbered addresses: outdoor water use is allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

(b) Even-numbered addresses: outdoor water use is allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

391-3-30-.04 Outdoor Water Use Schedule During Declared Drought Response Levels

(1) The Director of the Environmental Protection Division is authorized to make drought declarations.

(2) During declared drought conditions, outdoor water use other than activities exempted in 391-3-30-.05, shall occur only during scheduled hours on scheduled days.

(3) Declared Drought Response Level One - Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.

(a) Scheduled days for odd-numbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

(b) Scheduled days for even-numbered addresses are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

(c) Use of hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing is prohibited.

(4) Declared Drought Response Level Two - Outdoor water use may occur on scheduled days within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. 

(a) Scheduled days for odd-numbered addresses are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

(b) Scheduled days for even-numbered addresses and golf course fairways are Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

(c) The following uses are prohibited:

(1) Using hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.

(2) Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except when necessary for public health and safety.

(5) Declared Drought Response Level Three - Outdoor water use may occur on the scheduled day within the hours of 12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m.

(a) The scheduled day for odd-numbered addresses is Sunday.

(b) The scheduled day for even-numbered addresses and golf course fairways is Saturday.

(c) The following uses are prohibited:

(1) Using fire hydrants for any purpose other than firefighting, public health, safety or flushing.

(2) Washing hard surfaces, such as streets, gutters, sidewalks, driveways, except when necessary for public health and safety.

(3) Filling installed swimming pools except when necessary for health care or structural integrity.

(4) Washing vehicles, such as cars, boats, trailers, motorbikes, airplanes, golf carts.

(5) Washing buildings or structures except for immediate fire protection.

(6) Non-commercial fund-raisers, such as car washes.

(7) Using water or ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools, and waterfalls except when necessary to support aquatic life.

(6) Declared Drought Response Level Four - No outdoor water use is allowed, other than activities exempted in 391-3-30-.05, or as the EPD Director may order.

391-3-30-.05 Exemptions

(1) This rule shall not apply to the following outdoor water uses:

(a) Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances

(b) Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances

(2) The following established landscape water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater,

(b) Irrigation of personal food gardens

(3) Newly (in placed less than thirty days) installed landscapes are subject to the following:

(a) Irrigation of newly installed landscapes is allowed any day of the week, but only during the allowed hours for the drought response level in effect, for a period of 30 days following installation. No watering is allowed during Drought Response Level Four.

(b) For new landscapes installed by certified or licensed professionals, commercial exemptions apply.

(4) The following golf course outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.

(b) Irrigation of fairways during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Level One.

(c) Irrigation of tees during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Levels One, Two and Three.

(d) Irrigation of greens.

(5) The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers: during installation and 30 days following installation only. Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.

(b) Irrigation contractors: during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.

(c) Sod producers.

(d) Ornamental growers.

(e) Fruit and vegetable growers.

(f) Retail garden centers.

(g) Hydro-seeding.

(h) Power-washing.

(i) Construction sites.

(j) Producers of food and fiber.

(k) Car washes.

(l) Other activities essential to daily business.

(m) Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.

391-3-30-.06 Local and Regional Options

(1) Local and regional water providers are authorized to implement additional outdoor water use restrictions within their jurisdictions. Action items to consider at the local/regional level include, but are not limited to, the following: developing system integration and interconnection to reduce drought vulnerability, placing additional water use restrictions on specific commercial uses, putting water conservation based rates in place (increasing block/summer surcharge) and placing additional restrictions on outdoor water use.

(2) Local and regional water providers may request approval of alternate days for outdoor water use for purposes or enforcement, peak water usage, timing of recovery days, and other valid reasons. Approval shall be contingent upon:

(a) Written notification to, and approval by, EPD of the alternate watering schedule; and

(b) Enactment or a local ordinance allowing no more than 3 days a week outdoor watering during time(s) of day consistent with the level of drought as set forth in sections 391-3-30-.03 and -.04 of this rule.

(c) Regional consistency.