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Overnight Patrols Yield Over 500 Watering Ban Violations
2 comment(s)
Originally Published Oct 9, 2007, 11:35pm
(Updated Oct 11, 2007, 2:23am)
According to code enforcement supervisor Steve Zaring, well over 500 violations of the current watering ban have been spotted, with warnings or citations issued. Early morning and overnight patrols, as well as concerned citizens, have identified these violations.
A steady stream of questions and requests for clarification have been flowing in via telephone or via the "more info" form on this website at the bottom of the articles regarding the ban. Below are some of the questions and clarifications that have come in so far:
Q: I have my own private well. Do the restrictions apply to me if I use only well water for outdoor use?
A: Private wells withdrawing less than 100,000 gallons of water a day are not regulated and would be exempt from restrictions. However, keep in mind the water tables are down and the possibility exist the well could go dry as we have seen throughout the county.
Q: Are waterfalls that recycle the same water exempt?
A: Recycled water would exempt under lever 4. However any refilling would be prohibited.
Q: I need to paint my house soon. I own a pressure washer. Can I pressure wash my house prior to painting?
A: Homeowners are prohibited from power washing any hard surfaces. Licensed power washing businesses (water dependant businesses) are allowed to operate at this time under the commercial exemptions.
Q; What if any are the restrictions for a swimming pool contractor?
A: The State's guidelines for Level 3 states "Filling installed swimming pools except when necessary for health care or structural integrity" is prohibited. However, Level 4 does not mention swimming pools at all and swimming pools are not mentioned in the commercial exemptions.
We have requested clarification from the State on this issue but have not yet received a response. Our understanding is that newly installed swimming pools may be filled if it is necessary for the structural integrity of the pool, only. Additional water cannot be added to top them off due to evaporation or for maintenance.
This could change pending further information from the State or Board of Commissioner recommendations.
You can find out more information by visiting www.conservewatergeorgia.net
Click HERE for more info...
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Comments
2 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
And what is one to do when you have been sent a warning, but no outdoor watering has not occured. In fact most of our street received a warning. The majority of them don't have sprinker systems. It rained on Tuesday evening and the street was wet!!!! Perhaps a little education for the patrols is in order....when it rains...things get wet! Commissioner Laughinghouse was your street wet Wednesday morning??
I doubt your neighbors were innocent.I suspect that some felt they could mask additional watering due to the rain.If only warnings were given,real violations were avoided.Be thankful.It
s only grass.We should not be watering at all anyway.The patrols may need a little education,but the average homeowner needs a big one on responsible water use.Voluntarily,we could soften the impact of this crisis.However, too many of us are too selfish to consider the needs of water use over superficial desires.I would much rather impact our economy than the color of my lawn.Manufacturing&processing plants use massive amounts of water .Is a lawn more important to water?Lake Lanier boat ramps are closed.Did you know that just the fishing segment of outdoor recreation reaches into the $billions nationwide?Lets not forget skiers,cruisers,water-fowlers,and fishermen also need food,lodging,gas,equipment,etc.With ramps closed,this economy has evaporated.If someone asks you,"What happened to the economy?"Just point to the closest green yard and say,"They watered the lawn with it!"Add a Comment
Please be civil.