DeKalb County Urges Residents to Conserve Water in Wake of Drought Conditions

DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb County is urging residents to conserve water as metro Atlanta faces unusually dry conditions this year.

According to the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, much of North Georgia, including DeKalb County, is experiencing severe drought conditions.

“We are asking DeKalb County residents and business to proactively address these drought conditions by doing everything they can to conserve water,” said DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May.

The Department of Watershed Management urges residents to follow these watering restrictions:

• Outdoor watering should be limited to the hours between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. to avoid the hottest part of the day when more evaporation occurs.
• Residents should water lawns according to the odd/even schedule:
  • Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
  • Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“DeKalb County supports the efforts of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and Georgia Environmental Protection Division in conserving our precious resource of water,” stated Department of Watershed Director Scott Towler.

Additionally, DeKalb County offers these tips to residents for saving water:

• Use a rain gauge to determine how much rained has occurred over the week before watering outdoor plants. Most outdoor plants need an inch of water per week.
• Water lawns and plants in several short sessions instead of one long session. This reduces runoff and allows water to infiltrate into soil and plant roots.
• Water lawns only when needed. If the blades of grass don’t bounce back after walking across the lawn, it is time to water. More plants die from over watering than under watering.
• Water lawns and plants in the early morning and late evening.
• Check for water leaks inside and outside and repair when found.
• Shorten showers and turn off water when shaving or brushing teeth.
• Fill dishwashers and washing machines to ensure there is a full load every time.

For more information on the latest drought status, go to www.northgeorgiawater.org and click on “Latest Water Stats.”

For conservation tips, a brochure and videos, go to www.mydropcounts.org.

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