Rain, Rain, DON'T Go Away!

We can all agree we've had a very wet spring, right? So wet, in fact, that Wednesday, Georgia officials from the Environmental Protection Division lifted the stringent outdoor watering restrictions, allowing homeowners to pretty much freely water their lawns and wash their cars.

We’ve owned our Toyota Sienna for almost six years. And in those six years, guess how many times we have washed the van- none. Zippo. Nada. There is absolutely no need to wash the van, because with a good rain, it looks just fine. Even in the height of last summer’s drought, we still never felt the need to wash the car, or, for that matter, water our lawn, even though the home owners prior to us installed a pricey sprinkler system.

Now we are getting enough rain that our lawns are a deep shade of green and our gardens are thriving. Just when citizens seemed to fully adjust their habits to the water conservation-laded rules that have been in place for almost three years, we are opening the “flood gates” (pardon the pun). Why?

Effective immediately, outdoor watering is allowed every day but Friday; homeowners with even-numbered and un-numbered addresses can water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and watering at odd-numbered addresses is permitted on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The 30-day exemption for commercially installed sod and landscapes remains; homeowners can water daily during this time, but after the 30 days pass, the three-day a week restrictions apply.
There are no restrictions to the hours of the day that watering is allowed (BIG mistake), but the EPD is asking people to abstain between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. During the heat of the day, water evaporates quickly anyway.

Carol Couch, Georgia director of the EPD said, “The drought has ended. Our drinking water supplies are not at risk; therefore the management of the drought has ended.”

So, that’s what all this has been about? Drought management? And I thought it was about Georgia finally getting smart about water conservation and educating people about wise water usage. We’ve come so far, made so much progress that usage was cut by 15 percent (the goal was 10%); why change now?

Just because the restrictions have been lifted, I implore you not to change your new-found habits. Instead, continue on your path of water conservation and challenge yourself to find even more ways to reduce consumption, reuse water, reduce your lawn and rethink your habits.

Here are a few easy tips:

• Your lawn and garden only need one inch of water a week to thrive. A good rain once a week is adequate, and therefore additional watering is not necessary. Get a good rain gage or an automatic sensor on your watering system.


• Do not wash your car. Unlike you, your car is not going to stink up the joint if it doesn’t get a good washing. If you just can’t kick the habit, at least go to Avril’s Car Wash (on the corner of Holcomb Bridge and Spalding in Peachtree Corners). They are a green operation, reusing water and such. While you are there, visit the new Farmer D’s Organics store (both businesses share space), now fully stocked and operational.


• Reduce the size of your lawn. If you feel the need to spend money and time watering your yard, why not remove grass and plant something edible in its place? At least you’re getting a solid (and tasty!) return on your investment.


• Install rain barrels and appropriate irrigation systems. Rain is free, and apparently, recently abundant. A full rain barrel or two can easily supply enough water for a small residential lawn and garden.


• Adjust your indoor water usage. Wash dishes and clothes only with full capacity loads, water indoor plants with grey water when possible, turn off water when brushing teeth, and take short showers (no baths).
• Go to www.conservationmart.com, a fabulous company based right here in Norcross for all of your water conservation product needs (low flow shower heads, faucet aerators, toilet tank banks and much, much more).

Georgia’s population is growing by leaps and bounds, especially here in Gwinnett County (which remains one of the fastest growing counties in the nation). We need to treat our watersheds with the level of respect they deserve for the number of people it supports. Although Lake Lanier, which serves much of metro Atlanta, is less than four feet below full pool, we are only one or two dry seasons away from full-blown drought again.

Water conservation needs to be a way of life whether we’re in a drought emergency or if it’s raining cats and dogs for a month straight.

~Robin