I thought this might be helpful for everyone who lives in Athens. There have been some changes to the watering restrictions.

Athens-Clarke County is currently experiencing an extreme drought. We can all make a difference in saving water and protecting our community’s water resources.

Athens-Clarke County Modifies Outdoor Water Use Restrictions
Effective March 16, 2008.

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison has signed an order modifying local outdoor water use restrictions to include exemptions recently authorized under the State Level 4 Drought Response and the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority’s recent actions. Athens-Clarke County residents now have the opportunity to maintain swimming pools and to water landscaping under specific guidelines. Unified Government staff concluded that the exemptions would still allow Athens-Clarke County to meet the average day water use volumes allowed by Environmental Protection Division (EPD) requirements.

Full details below or at www.thinkatthesink.com.

Section I. Allowed Outdoor Water Use – No permit required

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 - please see Section II below.

Existing Landscapes:

* Hand-watering of existing landscapes, defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle attached, will be allowed 25 minutes per day, during designated hours on an odd/even watering schedule.
* The hose must be hand-held during watering and equipped with a standard spray nozzle that automatically turns off when released.
* Watering is allowed only between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m.
* Odd-numbered addresses may water on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
* Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
* No outdoor watering is allowed on Fridays

Food Gardens:

* Watering of personal food gardens is allowed only within the restrictions set forth above.

Pressure Washing

* Pressure washing will be allowed for health and/or safety reasons.
* Pressure washing for other purposes will require a Special Use Permit - please see Section II below.
* Pressure washing for aesthetic or beautification purposes is prohibited.

Section II. Allowed Outdoor Water Use – Special Use Permit Required

The uses below will be allowed under the outdoor water use modifications with permits required. Permits for these uses will be issued until a water demand threshold of 100,000 gallons per day is met; once permits totaling 100,000 gallons per day have been issued, no more permits will be allowed for that specific day.

The uses listed below will require a Special Use Permit from the Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department. The permit application will require a description of the gallons-per-day demand necessary before the permit will be issued.

Special Use Permits are available from the Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department located at 1865 W. Broad Street, Suite C (706-613-3470).

Swimming Pools:

* The filling or refilling of swimming pools will only be allowed after obtaining a Special Use Permit. The number of gallons necessary for filling/refilling of the pool will be required before a permit is issued.

Newly installed landscaping:

* Landscaping newly installed by a professionally certified or licensed landscaper only, may be watered by any method for a period of 10 weeks following installation. Proof of landscaper's certification or business licensing is required. 
* Watering will be allowed only between 12:00 midnight and 10:00 a.m. based on the odd/even watering schedule below:

     1. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
     2. Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
     3. No outdoor watering is allowed on Fridays

* Only professionally installed landscaping is eligible for this 10-week exemption.

Pressure Washing:

* Pressure washing prior to a procedure such as painting can only be performed by a licensed professional.
* Pressure washing for aesthetic or beautification purposes is prohibited.

Other Allowed Outdoor Water Uses

* Watering in of pesticides/herbicides/fertilizers by a licensed professional only is allowed.
* Flushing of water lines for new developments is allowed.
* Water uses related to roadway construction are allowed.

Prohibited Outdoor Water Uses

All other outdoor water uses remain prohibited, including washing vehicles, except in a commercial car wash that has obtained a Special Use Permit.

General Information

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 the 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. 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.

If you’re receiving this as a forwarded e-mail, sign up for the Athens-Clarke County mailing list at www.athensclarkecounty.com.