Gwinnett goes with state's flow

Lawrenceville, Ga., (May 1, 2008) – Gwinnett County has modified its outside watering rules to mirror the state of Georgia’s restrictions effective May 1. County Administrator Jock Connell today signed an administrative decision that makes Gwinnett’s outdoor watering restrictions identical to the state’s rules. Last month, the Board of Commissioners delegated day-to-day water conservation decisions to Connell.

   “I have every confidence that Gwinnett’s businesses and residents will do the right thing by adhering to the state’s outdoor watering restrictions,” said Connell. “I would encourage everyone to keep up their water conservation efforts.”

   According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of North Georgia remains in an extreme drought. Lake Lanier, which is currently 13 feet below full pool, has little chance of filling up this year. “It’s important to know the rules because the Department of Water Resources will be enforcing them,” said Acting Water Resources Director Lynn Smarr. “Information about outdoor watering restrictions, along with helpful conservation tips, can be found on the County’s Web site.”

   Gwinnett County is sponsoring water conservation programs to help residents and businesses cope with the drought. Through one program, customers may truck reclaimed water for business uses such as street sweeping, dust control, sewer cleaning, landscape irrigation, professional chemical/pesticide application and concrete batch plants from the F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center in Buford. Another program offers Gwinnett water customers a rebate for replacing an existing toilet with a low flow model. Only homes built before 1993 are eligible for the rebate up to a maximum of two toilets per household. The County also offers educational workshops from time to time. More information about these and other programs can be found at www.gwinnettcounty.com .