Good thing I missed that Broadcast.

And the odd/even cycle is as follows:

EVEN Numbered addresses can water on Mon, Wed, Sat

ODD Numbered addresses can water on Tue, Thu, Sun

And only from Midnight to 10am. So if you sleep at night like most humans then so much for compliance.

And I don't think the rainbarrel routine is going to work in places like Forsyth county where last year that made it illegal to water (complete ban) regardless of where the water came from or at least that was my understanding.

I'll be running my soaker hoses on a slow drip. Last year, there was an exemption for anything planted in the last 30 days, and also food plants. Unless I hear differently, I'll assume that's still in effect. I'll be watering my cucumbers and my new roses!

I won't be irresponsible though. I still use a lot less water than my neighbor who left his sprinkler going on his lawn ALL NIGHT. It's still going this morning. I don't water my lawn, no matter how bad it gets.

OK, I checked, and the state does allow you to water the following:

- personal food gardens are exempt, can be watered any time

- any landscape plants that were planted within the last thirty days can be watered any day of the week during the allowed hours (midnight to 10 am currently)

- you can use captured stormwater (rainbarrels) or graywater any time

Be aware that counties can impose more stringent restrictions than the state. However, I have printed the state regulations from the GA EPD website to show the police if they catch me watering. Hopefully that will keep me out of trouble. At least it shows I have made an effort to comply, unlike my neighbors who are STILL watering their lawns at all hours day and night.

Forsyth County never mentioned that you can't use rainwater, you just can't use water you collected from the shower etc. I do not think they can legally lay claim to water that they did not provide so rain barrels should be safe.

Wouldn't this be easier if they just limited people to a certain quantity of water? No need to check and see if people are watering on this day or time, just check their meter reading! Everyone that's guilty gets caught when their bill is printed and they could do spot meter readings if they suspected someone.

I don't think it's fair that someone with the capability to water any time by programming a timer can use as much as they want. Sounds like a privilege of the well-to-do!

You can still ask that people with sprinklers adhere to certain days to ensure that water supplies are constant, but don't let them use unlimited quantities.

Esh, I think that policing water volume might be difficult too. For example, if a family of 10 needs showers and laundry and water to water a large veggie garden then that would be such a huge difference from folks like our family with just two. With renters this would be a nightmare, having to keep track of how much water is doled out to whom, and when.
However, I do not think think that corporations, and businesses do need to be put on watering restriction too. Even if their business depends on water. It doesn't necessarily mean they follow the same rules as homeowners, but they should not be allowed to waste water.
I think we have all seen the golf course or the professionally landscaped area with the sprinklers running during the rain.
Rain barrels are great, however I also urge people to think about their water use for the future, not just now. Consider reclamation in larger quantities. Also consider that you will need to "help" your county, city etc. to consider these possibilities and make sure they can be allowed. For example, we eventually want a cistern. Not a well, not a mosquito catcher. A cistern which filters water clean, and captures water only from watershed. Some water would be put back into the watershed system (and much cleaner) however, some would be saved that is now only going to waste.

GGG

Twinkle,
Thanks for the information on food gardens being exempt. As I was planting tomatoes yesterday, my neighbor came over to tell me we were under restrictions. I was concerned about losing my veggies!

Beverly

"I do not think they can legally lay claim to water that they did not provide"

Yes you would think although this subject came up on another forum and as hard to believe as this is going to sound, yes some cities raise a stink over rainwater collection because of course doing so means less water they can harvest themselves (think wells). So by collecting the water on your roof, that's less water for them to pump up so that's a problem. LOL