Austell Public Works - Water and Wastewater

DROUGHT RESPONSE PLAN
SPRING AND SUMMER 2008

Adopted: Monday, November 5, 2007
Revised: Friday, November 20, 2008l
Updated: Monday, March 17, 2008

On February 6, 2008, Governor Sonny Perdue mandated water use in 61 counties in North Georgia during the period from April to September 2008 be reduced to a level equivalent to 90 percent of the average use for the months of April through September 2008.

As the City of Austell recognizes the need during this historic drought to preserve our water resources, several actions have been taken by City departments including limitations on fire flow testing, total ban on outdoor irrigation, and retrofitting restrooms with low-flow devices. The City of Austell will also examine water use within City buildings to determine potential savings.

The following represents a Drought Response Plan to serve as the basis for the City of Austell’s efforts to comply with the Governor’s updated mandate. As the current drought is a changing situation and the seasons greatly impact water use and commercial needs, the City of Austell will revisit the existing Drought Plan if changes in conditions or in water resource occur. Any exemptions granted in the City of Austell Drought Response Plan are subject to change if the drought worsens or the resource becomes stressed.

Document Downloads:


•	Drought Response Plan

•	New Landscape Installation - 10 Day Water Exemption

•	Level Four Outdoor Water Use Restrictions Update Flyer (April 1, 2008)

As indicated below, limited watering of existing landscape by hand will be permitted beginning April 1, 2008. Pools may be filled beginning April 1, 2008. The new policy for watering of new landscape is effective April 1, 2008.


A.	Residential Customers:


	1.	Two additional tiers have been added to the existing conservation structure for high water users:

		Inside City:

		15,000 gallons to 50,000 gallons		$5.01 per 1,000 gallons
		50,000 gallons and above		$8.81 per 1,000 gallons

		Outside City:

		15,000 gallons to 50,000 gallons		$5.51 per 1,000 gallons
		50,000 gallons and above		$9.31 per 1,000 gallons

	2.	A toilet rebate program has been successfully imitated. The program will continue through this year and funding will be reallocated annually for the program.

	3.	With respect to outdoor water allowance beyond Level 4, and the new exemptions established by the State of Georgia, please see the comments regarding landscapers and pressure washing below.

	4.	Austell Public Works will continue to promote the use of water conservation kits.

B.	Landscapings:

	1.	Effective April 1, 2008, hand watering, defined as one person with one hose with a shut off nozzle, will be allowed for 25 minutes a day, o the odd / even watering schedule. Even and unnumbered address may water Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays and odd addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursday, and Sundays between he hours of 12:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Irrigation systems may not be run under this exemption.

	2.	Effective April 1, 2008, an exemption is provided for new landscape installations (excluding aeration and over seeding).

		a.	These new installations may be watered for a period of 10 weeks following installation on the odd / even watering schedule.

		b.	Only newly installed landscaping may be watered by irrigation system; all other watering must follow the hand watering exemption.

		c.	Irrigation systems may be used to water newly installed landscaping, but only between the hours of 12:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

		d.	In order to qualify for a new landscape exemption, the customer must enroll in the Urban Agriculture Council’s online Water Conservation Class at www.urbanagcouncil.com. Forms obtained from the course along with a City of Austell Landscape Exemption form and a purchase receipt must be sent to: Austell Public Works Water Efficiency 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 101 Austell, Georgia 30106

		e.	Only one new landscape exemption (as discussed above) will be permitted per planting season per residence. Planting season is defined as September through March and April through August.

		f.	Aeration and over seeding will not qualify for a new landscape exemption at this time.

	3.	Effective April 1, 2008, new home construction will have 10 weeks to water newly nstalled landscape on the odd / even schedule, for the purpose of erosion and sedimentation control. A builder may choose to heavily mulch a property instead, until water conditions improve.

C.	Pools:

	1.	Effective April 1, 2008, private pools, previously prohibited in Drought Response Level Four, will be permitted to be topped off as necessary for maintenance and filled with municipal water.

	2.	Pools should not be drained for cleaning and maintenance prior to being opened. Due to limited water resources, chemical treatment should be used to resolve maintenance issues.

	3.	If chemical treatment cannot be used, the pool company must apply for a variance to allow the pool to be drained and refilled. Variances must be requested in writing and should be submitted to: Austell Public Works Water Efficiency 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 101 Austell, Georgia 30106

	4.	Failure to comply with the above pool policy may result in a penalty.

D.	Water Waste Penalty:

	Effective April 1, 2008, the structure of the Water Waste fine shall be equal to the current structure for outdoor water ban violations, as follows:

	a.	First time violators will be issued a written warning.

	b.	A second violation will result in a $100.00 fine and a citation will be issued for appearance in Court.

	c.	Third and subsequent violations will result in a $250.00 fine; a citation will be issued for appearance in Court, discontinuance of water service, and a $100.00 reconnection fee.

	In order to encourage the efficient use of outdoor water and the proper maintenance of irrigation systems, the following activities will be subject to a Water Waste fine:

	a.	A broken irrigation system (missing heads, broken pipes, etc.).

	b.	Excessive runoff – water running down the driveway, street, or sidewalk.

	c.	A hose running unattended without a shutoff nozzle.

E.	Commercial Users:

	1.	Effective April 1, 2008, each commercial user will be given a water allowance of 90% of last year’s peak average (April through September 2007). Exceeding this allowance will result in a surcharge of 25% for all water use exceeding the 90% allotment. There will be no assessed surcharge for the first billing period exceeding this allowance. The surcharge will be assessed to every subsequent month exceeding the 90% allotment. This will include businesses, institutions, multi-family developments, and schools.

	2.	Two additional tiers have been added to the existing conservation structure for high water users:

		Inside City:

		15,000 gallons to 50,000 gallons		$5.01 per 1,000 gallons
		50,000 gallons and above		$8.81 per 1,000 gallons

		Outside City:

		15,000 gallons to 50,000 gallons		$5.51 per 1,000 gallons
		50,000 gallons and above		$9.31 per 1,000 gallons

F.	Car Washes and Car Detailing Businesses:

	1.	Car washing of new and used vehicles at car lots is prohibited; unless they have a car wash operating with a water recycling system.

	2.	Car washes operating with a water recycling system will be exempt from the 90% surcharge applied to commercial customers.

	3.	Mobile detailing is still permitted, but reasonable care to limit water use should be undertaken. The property owner who allows the detail company to utilize water is subject to the 90% water reduction requirement stated above.

G.	Service Leaks:

	1.	The City of Austell currently leaves a door hanger at any address where a leak is detected. Language will be added to let customers know that the leak must be repaired water service may be interrupted.

	2.	For any leak exceeding 1.0 gallon per minute water service will be terminated until the leak is repaired.

H.	Pressure Washing of Parking Lots of Commercial Building:

	1.	Pressure washing can only be performed by a licensed professional.

	2.	Pressure washing of parking lots, driveways, decks, etc. is prohibited for aesthetic reasons.

	3.	Pressure washing of buildings or structures for beautification is prohibited.

	4.	Pressure washing will be allowed for health and safety.

	5.	Pressure washing will be allowed when required prior to a procedure such as painting, staining, or sealing.

I.	Schools:

	1.	The City of Austell will work with schools within the City limits to assist in developing a comprehensive water efficiency program.

	2.	The City of Austell will read school meters during non-operational hours to determine if any leaks are present.

	3.	Schools will be subjected to the commercial 90% surcharge.

Did you know that the average home in the City of Austell uses 2,000 gallons of water daily, indoors and out. Here are some quick tips for conserving water:

Install a low-flow showerhead and take only a 5-minute shower or 3-inch bath.
Catch water in a bucket or watering can while waiting for water to get hot.
Put a water displacement bag or plastic bottle in each toilet tank.
Fix all leaky toilets, faucets and pipes.
Flush toilets and use garbage disposer only when necessary.
Turn off the water while shaving, brushing your teeth, and lathering in the shower.
Run only full loads in dishwasher and washing machines.
Water your lawn no more than once a week, and operate automatic sprinklers manually
Use a bucket of water and one short rinse to wash your car.
Sweep (never hose) driveway, patio and sidewalk.

	Water Used for Common Activities
Brushing Teeth		3 gallons a day
Shower		40 gallons every 10 minutes
Bath		20 gallons
Toilet		28 gallons a day per person
Clothes Washer		45 gallons per load
Cooking		5 gallons a day
Dishwasher		15 gallons per load
Hosing driveway		150 gallons
Washing car		150 gallons

Updated: Monday, March 31, 2008 11:29:04 AM

DIVISION LINKS

Water Conservation
Tip of the Month