Drought Response Plan

Updated: March 2008

The Marietta Board of Lights and Water adopted a Drought Management Plan in August 2004 that established water use restrictions during shortage conditions as mandated by the State of Georgia. In January 2007, residential conservation rates were adopted as recommended by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District to encourage water conservation by focusing on discretionary water use. On October 23, 2007, Governor Sonny Perdue mandated that water use in North Georgia be reduced to a level equivalent to 90% of the average use for the months of December 2006 through March 2007. In November 2007, the drought management plan was revised, and new conservation rates took effect in January 2008 in order to meet this mandate.

On February 11, 2008, Governor Sonny Perdue mandated that water use in 61 counties in North Georgia during the period from April - September 2008 be reduced to a level equivalent to 90% of the average use for the months April - September 2007. Filling of swimming pools and landscape exemptions were also modified by these mandates.

The following represents the revised Drought Management Plan to comply with the Governor's newest mandates. These additional actions will be implemented on April 1, 2008. Any exemptions granted in the plan are subject to change if the drought worsens or the resource becomes stressed. It is imperative that all customers continue their efforts to conserve the water resource at all usage points because the 90% limits remain in effect.

 

Residential customers

  1. Continue the conservation rate structure that was implemented on January 1, 2008.
  2. Continue to monitor irrigation meter usage. Illegal usage will initiate enforcement actions.
  3. Encourage residential customers to reduce consumption through educational programs, water use information, and rebate programs.
  4. Implement a toilet rebate program consisting of a $50 rebate for the purchase/installation of an approved 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilet and a $100 rebate for an approved 1.28 gallon-per-flush toilet. Customers will be eligible to receive rebates for up to 3 toilets per home. Additional rebate program details are available through here or by contacting us a 770-794-5150.

 

Landscaping

  1. Effective March 1, 2008, hand watering of existing landscaping, defined as one person with one hose with a shut off nozzle, will be allowed for 25 minutes a day, on the odd/even watering schedule. Even and unnumbered addresses may water Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and odd addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 AM. Irrigation systems may not be run under this exemption.
  2. Effective April 1, 2008, an exemption is provided for new landscape installations:
    • These new installations may be watered for a period of 10 weeks following installation on the odd/even watering schedule.
    • Only newly installed landscaping may be watered by an irrigation system; all other watering must follow the hand watering exemption.
    • Irrigation systems may be used to water newly installed landscaping, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 10:00 AM.
    • In order to qualify for a new landscape exemption, the customer must enroll in the Urban Agriculture Council's online Water Conservation Class at www.urbanagcouncil.com.
  3. Only one new landscape exemption (as discussed above) will be permitted per planting season as defined as fall (September-March), and spring (April- August). Invoices from a licensed landscaper will include the date of installation, location of installation, and the type of installation performed. These invoices and forms obtained from the online class must be submitted to Marietta Water in order to receive the exemption. FAX 770-794-2286

 

Pools

  1. Effective April 1, 2008, public and private pools, previously prohibited in Drought Response Level 4, will be permitted to open and be topped off as necessary for maintenance.
  2. New pools will be permitted to be filled with municipal water.
  3. Pools must be covered during the off-season, rather than drained. Pools should not be drained for cleaning and maintenance prior to being opened. Due to limited water resources, chemical treatment should be used to resolve maintenance issues.
  4. Failure to comply with the above pool policy can result in a water waste penalty in accordance with the schedule listed below.

 

Water Waste Penalty

Effective April 1, 2008, the structure of the Water Waste Penalty is: for the first offense, a written warning; the second offense, a $100.00 fine; the third offense, a $500.00 fine; and fourth and subsequent violations, a $500.00 fine and discontinuance of water service. In order to encourage the efficient use of outdoor water and the proper maintenance of irrigation systems and pools, the following activities will be subject to a Water Waste Penalty:

  1. A broken irrigation system (missing heads, broken pipes, etc.)
  2. Excessive runoff - water running down the driveway, street, or sidewalk.
  3. A hose running unattended without a shutoff nozzle.

 

Commercial and Industrial Customers

  1. Continue the single rate for all commercial/ industrial customers which promotes conservation.
  2. Each commercial customer will be given a target for water usage based on 90 percent of last year's summer average (April through September).
  3. Implement a water audit / leak detection program to assist high use customers.
  4. Evaluate rebate programs for commercial/ industrial customers.
  5. Continue to monitor irrigation meter usage. Illegal usage will initiate enforcement actions.

 

Car Washes, Car Detailing Business and Car Dealerships

  1. Prohibit car washing of new and used vehicles at car lots, unless they have a car wash operating with a water recycling system.

Service Leaks

  1. Marietta Water personnel currently notify the customer or leave a door hanger at any address where a slow leak is detected. Customers must have the leak repaired within 10 days or water service will be shut off.
  2. For leaks greater than 1 gallon per minute Marietta Water personnel will continue to notify the customer and shut off the water service until the leak is repaired.

 

Restaurants

  1. Marietta Water will incorporate a "serve water only upon request" initiative.

 

Commercial Pressure Washing

  1. Pressure washing of parking lots is prohibited.
  2. Pressure washing of buildings for beautification is prohibited.
  3. Pressure washing will be allowed when required prior to a procedure such as painting.
  4. Pressure washing will be allowed for health and safety.

 

Schools

  1. Schools will be subjected to the commercial 90 percent target.
  2. Continue to implement conservation education programs and water audits in schools within the Marietta school system.