Water is our most precious natural resource, so it is critical to be mindful of how much outdoor water we are using on the landscape. Conservation during a drought takes effort, but the reward is the savings you receive on your utility bill.
Watering Schedule
Since 2010 there is no outdoor water use between 10AM and 4PM in Georgia. And for all of Chatham County, outdoor water use is restricted to three days per week depending on your address number.
Even numbers water
Mon / Wed / Sat
Odd numbers water
Tues / Thurs / Sun
Protect Your Landscape
- Reduce your lawn by at least 20% and save water. For directions on how to remove your lawn, visit the Reduce Your Lawn page.
- Replace your lawn with native plants or trees that don’t need supplemental watering once established.
- Add compost to the soil when you plant and cover the ground with mulch. Mulch should be five inches away from tree trunks, but spread all the way to the tree dripline.
- Place two to three inches of mulch for maximum moisture retention. It is a great way to use all those oak leaves that fell in March!
- Rake, do not use blowers that create dust and make dry conditions worse.
- Reduce the number of days you water from three to two. Water a little longer on those days to promote deeper root growth.
Harvest Water
Keep a five-gallon bucket in your shower. Capture the cold water and use it in your garden.
Install a rain barrel or cistern today so you are ready when it rains again – rain water is best for your plants. Rain barrels are available at Vouchers & Incentives.
Collect AC condensate to use in your garden, but empty it weekly to prevent mosquitoes from developing.
Monitor and Stay Informed
Use simple devices like rain gauges and soil moisture meters to help determine when your plants need water. These devices are available at the Vouchers & Incentives.
Test your irrigation system to make sure there are no leaks and water is not wasted on sidewalks and streets.
Watch local weather forecasts.
