Drought Status

As a result of recent rainfall and improving conditions, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is ending its Level 1 Drought Response in 103 Georgia counties. The decision means that almost all Georgians will return to a non-drought outdoor water use schedule.

“Rain continues to ease the flash drought conditions in Georgia that had peaked during the first half of October,” said state climatologist Bill Murphey. “The heaviest rain amounts have fallen over extreme north Georgia, central Georgia and southeastern parts of the state. As a result, soil moisture and stream flows are improving in those areas.”

EPD encourages all Georgians to follow the non-drought outdoor water use schedule required under the Water Stewardship Act of 2010. It is in effect statewide and limits outdoor water use year-round to the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. There are several exceptions to this limitation listed at https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-conservation.

EPD maintains a web page to keep the public informed regarding drought indicators, current variances, and EPD actions regarding drought: https://epd.georgia.gov/about-us/watershed-protection-branch/drought-management. Water conservation information is available at https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-conservation.

No outdoor watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Do-It-Yourself - Household Water Assessment

Do's and Don'ts to Conserve Water

Prohibited Water Use

Allowed Water Use

Washing hard surfaces such as streets, gutters, sidewalks and driveways except for cases of public health and safety
Using water for ornamental purposes, such as fountains, reflecting pools and waterfalls
Use of fire hydrants, except for the purposes of firefighting, public health, safety or flushing
Non-commercial washing, or pressure washing, of buildings or structures, except for immediate fire protection
Charity or non-commercial fundraiser car washes

Commercial agricultural operations as defined in Code Section 1-3-3
Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines
Reuse of gray water in compliance with Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto
Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the department to provide reclaimed waste water
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 installation
Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses
Hand watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container
Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property
Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale or installation
Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses or public turf grass recreational areas
Installation, maintenance or calibration of irrigation systems
Hydroseeding

Event Calendar

DeKalb County Drought Restrictions