In 2015, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Board adopted new drought management rules related to outdoor water use, replacing former rule provisions and the 2003 Drought Management Plan. These new rules require specific drought response strategies during different levels of declared droughts. 

On October 18, 2019, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division raised the Drought Response Level for Gwinnett and 102 other counties to a Level 1 drought response. Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources would like to remind residents of current watering restrictions, as well as other ways to conserve water.

Watering Restrictions

Gwinnett County follows the state’s current outdoor watering restrictions, which allows landscape and lawn irrigation, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Read frequently asked questions about the current guidelines for outdoor water use.

Conserving Water

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources encourages water conservation year round and provides information to help residents conserve water.

Gwinnett also hosts water conservation workshops, and provides residents with home conservation and toilet leak detection kits.

The department also educates students on water conservation. The Water on Wheels initiative is an in-classroom program that travels to Gwinnett County schools. Students participate in engaging hands-on lessons that teach the importance of water conservation and foster attitudes that will inspire life-long water efficient behaviors. Teachers are invited to email dwrschools@gwinnettcounty.com to schedule a presentation. 

Exemptions

• Commercial agricultural operations as defined in Code Section 1-3-3
• Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines
• Reuse of gray water in compliance with Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto
• Use of reclaimed waste water by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the department to provide reclaimed waste water
• Irrigation of personal food gardens
• Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed, or turf in landscapes, golf courses, or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation
• Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses
• Hand watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container
• Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property
• Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation
• Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas
• Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems
• Hydro seeding