City issues reminder about outdoor water use restrictions

GAINESVILLE - With the return of drought conditions to Gainesville and all of Hall County, city officials have issued a reminder about outdoor water use restrictions.

For instance, says Jennifer Flowers, Gainesville Water Conservation Specialist, while landscape watering is allowed every day it is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

There are exemptions for food gardens and newly planted or sodded yards.

"All other outdoor water use (such as washing cars or power washing) may occur at any time of the day, but is restricted to three days a week on assigned days using the odd/even system," Flowers added. "Odd numbered addresses can use water outdoors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Even numbered addresses can use water outdoors on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays."

Flowers said that in May there was an increase in water usage of five percent "or roughly one million gallons used on average per day as compared to last year."

For May 2010, she said, the average was 17.74 million-gallons-a-day (MGD). For May 2011, it was 18.69 MGD, with a peak of 22.72 MGD on May 25.

A complete listing of outdoor water use information is available on the
city website http://www.gainesville.org/outdoor-water-use-schedule. (See link below.)

The same restrictions apply to public water systems statewide and are spelled out in the Georgia Water Stewardship Act.