New Outdoor Watering “Rules”

So, not that many of us have had to really be concerned with whether our grass, flowers, and gardens have been getting enough water lately — thank you very much, Mother Nature — but you should take note of the new outdoor watering regulations that went into effect June 1, 2010.  I want to point out that the new legislation is not a watering ban, but rather it outlines a smarter way to use our resources.

Outdoor landscape irrigation is now allowed 7 days per week between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Outdoor irrigation is not allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. with the exception of the following uses:

• Irrigation of personal food gardens
• 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 in-stallation
• Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses
• Hand-watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container
• Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation
• Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water
• Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas
• Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems
• Hydro-seeding
• Commercial agricultural operations
• Capture and reuse of cooling system condensation or storm water in compliance with applica-
  ble local ordinances and state guidelines
• Reuse of gray water in compliance with Code
• 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

So the green industry just wants us all to water smart.  Personally, I think it’s about time.  My rain barrel overfloweth.

For more information about efficient water use in the landscape, please visit Extension.uga.edu.