(1) During non-drought periods, irrigation outdoors for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants shall be in accordance with O.C.G.A. §
12-5-7 (a.1)(1) and (2).
(a) Persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall not create any limitation upon the following outdoor water uses:
1. Commercial agricultural operations as defined in Code Section 1-3-3;
2. Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable local ordinances and state guidelines;
3. Reuse of gray water in compliance with Code Section 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations adopted pursuant thereto;
4. 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;
5. Irrigation of personal food gardens;
6. 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;
7. Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses;
8. Handwatering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container;
9. Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;
10. Irrigation of horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation;
11. Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas;
12. Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems; or
13. Hydroseeding.
(c) Paragraph (a) shall not create any limitation upon outdoor water uses for purposes other than planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants.
(2) The state has already made, and continues to make, extensive investments in water efficiency since conservation measures play such an important role in water stewardship. Therefore, with the exception of the outdoor irrigation requirements in O.C.G.A. §
12-5-7 (a.1)(1) and (2) and the Drought Contingency Plans and Water Conservation Plans required under Rules 391-3-2-.04(11), 391-3-6-.07(4)(b)8, and 391-3-6-.07(4)(b) 9, this rule does not repeat or modify any existing predrought mitigation strategy or create any new predrought mitigation strategies.
O.C.G.A. §§
12-5-7, 12-5-8.
