TAPPED OUT: DeKalb
under strict water restrictionsby Brian Egeston
be@brianwrites.com
DeKalb County is under a level four drought, which means a near total ban on any outdoor watering for residents and homeowners.
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The director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has declared a level four drought for the northern third of the state.
Locally this means that no outdoor water use is allowed.
DeKalb Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones will require DeKalb County residents to follow newly declared water restrictions in compliance with the statewide outdoor watering ban.
On Wednesday, he held a news conference applauding Stone Mountain Park for shutting down the creation of its snow slide that was set to open Nov. 10.
The park was planning to use more than 1 million gallons of tap water to make the winter wonderland where kids could sled, but shut down the project after public outcry.
“It just didn’t look right,” said Jones, who sipped from a bottle county tap water. “It doesn’t look good for them to be using that much water while the rest of us can’t even water our yards.”
Shae Lewis, a DeKalb County resident, in past years, has kept a perfectly manicured lawn. But his priorities, in the face of the drought, have changed.
“Due to the longevity of this drought, lasting over a year, I decided to just let nature take its course,” said Lewis.
“I have not watered my lawn at all this spring or summer, and the brown spots show it. I really do my best to limit unnecessary usage of water in my effort to be environmentally conscience. And honestly, all the artificial fertilizers and water from the hose cannot replace the natural affect rain has on a lawn or garden.”
In addition to maintaining a nice lawn, Lewis also plants vegetables on his property.
“I have, however, limited but not completely refrained from watering my garden. Even though the watering ban does not apply to gardens, I did limit the number of crops I planted this year. Without natural rainfall, the cost of watering as needed, honestly made it more cost effective to just go to the farmers market and buy fresh vegetables.”
Under the level four drought, the following rules apply:
- Capture and re-use of cooling system condensate or storm water in
compliance with applicable local ordinances
- Re-use of gray water in compliance with applicable local ordinances
- Use of reclaimed wastewater by a designated user from a system permitted
by EPD to provide reclaimed wastewater.
- Irrigation of personal food gardens.
Newly installed landscapes, in place less than 30 days, are subject to the following:
- No watering is allowed during Drought Response
- For new landscapes installed by certified or licensed professionals,
commercial exemptions apply.
The following commercial outdoor water uses are exempt from the outdoor water use
schedules of this rule.
Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and
sports turf landscapers: during installation and 30 days following installation
only. Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial
exemptions to apply.
Irrigation contractors: during installation and as needed for proper
maintenance and adjustments only.
- Sod producers.
- Ornamental growers.
- Fruit and vegetable growers.
- Retail garden centers.
- Hydro-seeding.
- Power-washing.
- Construction sites.
- Producers of food and fiber.
- Car washes.
Other activities essential to daily business.
Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.
County official have asked residents to report any violation of these restrictions by contacting the Department of Watershed Management at 770-621-7200.
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