As Rain Falls, Gwinnett Keeps Outdoor Watering Restrictions in Place
It’s probably just coincidence that on the day with the most rainfall since last December, Gwinnett County clarified its plans for outdoor watering this spring. While the county has gone along with the state and allowed the filling of swimming pools, it has declined, at least for the moment, to go with the relaxed hand watering rules announced by the governor a few weeks ago.
In mid-December, the county commission passed a water conservation resolution (PDF) that set limits on outdoor watering that were more restrictive than the state’s level four watering restrictions in effect at the time. The resolution limited the state’s exemption for watering of new or reconditioned landscape to watering on ten of the first 30 days following installation or reconditioning. The resolution also requires that exempted homeowners and businesses post a sign visible from the right of way stating the exempted area, the installation date, the firm doing the installation/reconditioning, and the property owner’s name.
The resolution also provides additional measures to meet the state’s goal of reducing overall water usage by 10%, including excessive water use charges. It also says that the county administrator will provide a report to the Commissioners in mid-March that will let them decide which, if any, further restrictions would apply after March 31, when the current restrictions expire.
Yesterday’s announcement further limits the already tight exemptions from the watering ban by limiting the allowed watering hours to midnight through 10 AM on an odd-even system. Properties with odd addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, while even addresses may water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. In addition, in order to be able to water under the exemptions, the resident must register at the Urban Agriculture Council website beginning on March 15th. All of these further restrictions conform to the restrictions announced by the governor.
So, the bottom line is that the county has not yet approved the 25 minute hand-watering exemption for homeowners or the 90 day exemption for professionally installed new landscaping announced by the state back on February 6th. It did modify its December resolution restricting watering to make it conform to the state’s limit on watering hours and days, along with the requirement that homeowners register with the Urban Ag Council. Beyond that, residents will have to wait until mid-March to find out if restrictions will be further relaxed, stay the same or tighten.
Right now, the short term outlook for rain looks good, at least for the next two weeks or so. The weather service has released its March precipitation outlook, and it calls for an equal chance of above or below normal rainfall. Longer term, the three month outlook for March through May calls for a 40% chance of above normal temperatures and below normal rain - just what we don’t need to escape the drought.
The rain yesterday and today will certainly help. Through 7 AM today, Atlanta recorded 1.43 inches of rain, while Gainsville got exactly an inch, Athens got 1.23 inches, and Chamblee got 1.86 inches. Here in Lawrenceville, I’ve recorded 1.34 inches. And, its possible that another inch of rain could fall before the rain ends early Saturday.
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