§ 36-126. Restriction on outdoor watering of landscape.

(a)

Outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants in the city may occur only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.; provided, however, that this limitation shall not restrict the following outdoor water uses:

(1)

Commercial agricultural operations as defined in O.C.G.A. § 1-3-3(4.1), which shall include:

a.

The raising, harvesting, or storing of crops;

b.

Commercial feeding, breeding, or managing livestock or poultry;

c.

The commercial production or storing of feed for use in the production of livestock, including, but not limited to, cattle, calves, swine, hogs, goats, sheep, and rabbits, or for use in the production of poultry, including, but not limited to, chickens, hens, ratites, and turkeys;

d.

Producing plants, trees, fowl, or animals; or

e.

The commercial production of aquacultural, horticultural, dairy, livestock, poultry, eggs, and apiarian products or as otherwise defined in O.C.G.A. § 1-3-3(4.1);

(2)

Capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or storm water in compliance with applicable ordinances and state guidelines;

(3)

Reuse of gray water in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 31-3-5.2 and applicable local board of health regulations;

(4)

Use of reclaimed waste water by a designated user from a system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to provide reclaimed waste water;

(5)

Watering personal food gardens;

(6)

Watering 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)

Hand watering 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Use of water withdrawn from private water wells or surface water by an owner or operator of property if such well or surface water is on said property;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)

Watering horticultural crops held for sale, resale, or installation;

(11)

Watering athletic fields, golf courses, or public turf grass recreational areas;

(12)

Installation, maintenance, or calibration of irrigation systems; or

(13)

Hydroseeding.

(b)

No person shall use or allow the use of water in violation of the restrictions on outdoor water use contained in ordinance.

(c)

The City of Hartwell Police Department shall be the enforcement authority for this section. The city manager may also authorize other departments, as may be deemed necessary, to support enforcement.

(d)

Any violation of this section may also be enforced by a citation or accusation returnable to the municipal court or by any other legal means as set forth in this Code.

(Ord. No. 2010-04, § 1, 1-3-2011)

Reference: Ord. No. 2010-04, adopted Jan. 3, 2011, was adopted by the City of Hartwell pursuant to requirements established in Ordinance on Outdoor Landscape Watering Restrictions (SB 370).