FORSYTH COUNTY REMAINS AT DROUGHT LEVEL 4. ALL OUTDOOR WATER USE IS PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Effective April 1, 2008, Forsyth County's outdoor water use restrictions are modified, allowing for the filling of swimming pools and for limited hand watering.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved the revisions, along with modifications to the administrative process for water restriction violations, at their March 6 meeting.

Hand Watering
As of April 1, each household, business or other institution/property owner can hand water existing landscaping using one garden hose for 25 minutes a day within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. on designated days. The hose must be hand held during watering and equipped with a standard spray nozzle that automatically turns off when not hand held.

• Odd-numbered addresses (addresses ending with the number 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may hand water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
• Even-numbered addresses (addresses ending with the number 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or no number) may hand water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• No watering is allowed on Fridays.

Resolution Regarding Water Modifications

Exemptions

New Landscaping
Those who successfully complete an Outdoor Water Use Registration Program are allowed to water newly installed landscape up to three days a week following the odd-even schedule for a period of ten weeks following planting. Program registrants learn proper watering techniques and the importance of water conservation. The Outdoor Water Use Registration Program is available online at www.urbanagcouncil.com.

To be eligible for this exemption, the landscaping should have been in place less than 30 days. The watering must occur on the designated odd-even days within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Food Gardens

Food gardens remain exempt from the water use restrictions.

Drought level 4 commercial exemptions remain as previously adopted.

391-3-30-.05 EXEMPTIONS:

(1) This rule shall not apply to the following outdoor water uses:

(a) Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water incompliance with applicable local ordinances

(b) Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances

(2) The following established landscape water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.

(b) Irrigation of personal food gardens.

(3) Newly (in place less than thirty days) installed landscapes are subject to the following:

(a) Those who successfully complete an Outdoor Water Use Registration Program are allowed to water newly installed landscape up to three days a week following the odd-even schedule for a period of ten weeks following planting. Program registrants learn proper watering techniques and the importance of water conservation. The Outdoor Water Use Registration Program is available online at www.urbanagcouncil.com.

To be eligible for this exemption, the landscaping should have been in place less than 30 days. The watering must occur on the designated odd-even days within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

(4) The following golf course outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.

(b) Irrigation of fairways during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Level One.

(c) Irrigation of tees during times of non-drought and Declared Drought Response Levels One, Two and Three.

(d) Irrigation of greens. Adopted 5/26/04 4

(5) The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use schedules of this rule.

(a) Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers: during installation and 30 days following installation only. Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.

(b) Irrigation contractors: during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only

(c) Sod producers

(d) Ornamental growers.

(e) Fruit and vegetable growers.

(f) Retail garden centers.

(g) Hydro-seeding.

(h) Power-washing.

(i) Construction sites.

(j) Producers of food and fiber.

(k) Car washes.

(l) Other activities essential to daily business.

(m) Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.

Mandated Reduction
Governor Sonny Perdue’s mandate for a 10 percent water use reduction remains in effect. Forsyth County residents are reminded that water conservation remains imperative to the county meeting this reduction goal.

Penalties for Violations
At their March 6 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners adopted an amendment to Chapter 18, Article VI of the Forsyth County Code of Ordinances (Ordinance #88 – Water Use Ordinance) to modify the enforcement provisions for violations of the Code and for other lawful purposes. These revised penalties became effective March 7, 2008.

The approved modifications allow for the levying of administrative fines for water restriction violations. Fines are cumulative for a 24-month period and will appear on customer’s water bills.

First Violation: Written notice posted at the property where the violation occurred

Second Violation: $100 administrative penalty placed upon water bill of the service address where violation occurred

Third Violation: $500 administrative penalty placed upon water bill of the service address where violation occurred

Any administrative penalties imposed shall be payable to the Water and Sewer Department as part of the customer’s regular bill for water service and shall not be affected by the filing of any appeal. Any customer receiving such a penalty may request and be granted an appeal hearing before the Forsyth County Zoning Board of Appeals. The appellate fee is set at $50.

Water Conservation Announcement Video

Drought and the Statewide Outdoor Water Use: Frequently Asked Questions