Outdoor Watering Schedule


The Georgia Water Stewardship Act went into effect statewide on June 2, 2010 after being signed into law by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. This new law allows the following outdoor watering schedule:


Outdoor watering is allowed any day of the week between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. for purposes of planting, growing, managing or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs or other plants.


The following outdoor water uses also are allowed daily at any time of the day by anyone:

  • Commercial agricultural operations as defined by 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;
  • Handwatering 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  • Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;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; or
  • Hydroseeding.

Outdoor water use for any purposes other than watering of plants, such as washing cars, charity car washes or pressure washing, is still restricted to the odd/even watering schedule.

  • Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
  • Even numbered and unnumbered addresses can water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

To report an outdoor water use violation, call the CCWA at 770.961.2130 and press "2" for the Call Center.


CCWA Outdoor Watering Schedule Violation Process

  • 1st Violation: CCWA issues customer a verbal warning.
  • 2nd Violation: CCWA issues customer a written warning.
  • 3rd Violation: CCWA issues customer a citation. The customer must then go before a Clayton County Magistrate Court Judge. The judge determines the fine up to a maximum of $500 per day.

For the full text of the outdoor water use rules, please visit the Georgia Environmental Protection Division under the "Rules & Laws" section.

CCWA customers can also visit http://www.conservewatergeorgia.net/ for more information on water conservation.