"The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has issued Level Two Drought water restrictions and Gwinnett County will follow their lead," said Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister today. "We need to be conscious of current water conditions in our area and understand that we still have the summer ahead of us." Watering is permitted three days a week and only between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may water on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Watering is not allowed at all on Friday.

Gwinnett residents also have a three-tier rate structure, according to Water Resources Director Frank Stephens. In June through October this year, all retail and wholesale accounts that use more than 10,000 gallons and between 125 and 200 percent of their monthly average usage during the previous January through March will pay a surcharge of 87 cents per thousand gallons over the 125 percent threshold. For customers who exceed 10,000 gallons and 200 percent, the surcharge is $3.47 per thousand gallons.

"The most expensive part of our water supply system is the capacity built to meet the peak demands of discretionary outdoor water use during the summer," Stephens said. "So it makes good business sense for customers with high peak demands to pay a demand charge." The three-tiered rate structure assigns costs to customers according to their usage pattern. The surcharge for high demand helps keep water rates lower for folks with conservative habits.

"Our water customers need to be aware of these rate incentives to conserve water," Stephens said. Customers with a large yard or automatic sprinkler systems may want to adjust their watering in accordance with the restrictions. "Even with very little rain, most turf grasses in our area need only about an inch of water per week, preferably all on one day," Stephens said. County Extension Service agents can answer questions about lawns and landscaping. Call 678.377.4010, e-mail gcext@uga.edu or consult www.gwinnettcounty.com.

Please contact the Gwinnett Department of Water Resources at 678.376.6800 or via e-mail at dwrbilling@gwinnettcounty.com with questions about water rates.