The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced March 3, 2009, that restrictions on outdoor water use will remain in place across 55 north Georgia counties, including Forsyth. They also announced, however, an exemption for drip irrigation and soaker hoses to give citizens more water-efficient options to help maintain healthy landscapes during the drought. Each household, business or other institution or property owner may use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to water existing landscaping for one hour per day three days per week within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m.
Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m.
Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m.
This exemption is for existing landscape plants ("plants" means trees, flowers, vines and shrubs) and does not include lawn grass or turf.
Drip irrigation means the use of an irrigation system manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water through small flexible pipes and emitters slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting plant foliage. This type of system may be a part of a larger automated irrigation system or may operate as a standalone system connected to a typical outdoor faucet.
Soaker hose means a hose that is connected to a typical outdoor faucet and that is manufactured and sold specifically for delivering water slowly and directly to the soil around the base of individual plants by allowing water to seep from it in a manner that minimizes evaporative losses, pooling, runoff and wetting of plant foliage.
To receive additional details regarding current outdoor water restrictions, visit
www.forsythco.com or call the Forsyth County Water and Sewer Department at 770.781.2160.
Labels: 2009, drip irrigation, forsyth county, soaker hose, water restriction
