Dunwoody Residents Don't Face Any New Water Restrictions

As sunny, 90-plus-degree days roll on and with no rain in sight, Dunwoody residents aren’t facing any new restrictions when it comes to watering their lawns or washing their cars.

The city continues to follow state-mandated restrictions, which went into effect in June 2010.

“We do not foresee any additional restrictions at this time,” said Michael Smith, public works director for the city of Dunwoody.

In fact, Georgia's cities and counties can't impose watering rules that are more strict than those of the state. They can have looser rules, but Dunwoody has not opted to do that.

With summer officially arriving in less than two weeks, local gardening organizations are feeling the heat. And they have some advice for plant lovers.

“It is heartbreaking to see my garden wilting in the hot afternoon sun but even more disheartening to see plants wilting in the morning,” said Sterling Hill of the Dunwoody Garden Club. “Watch your trees. If they are wilting in the morning, give what water you have to them first. 

“And some plants can be dug up and potted to help utilize what water you can give them better. Put deep saucers underneath.”

So when can you water that moisture-deprived lawn, or wash the dusty vehicle in your driveway?

It depends on whether a home has an odd or even numbered address.

People who want to power wash or wash the car can do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays if they have an odd-numbered address. People with even-numbered and unnumbered addresses can tackle those chores on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Got a vegetable garden in your backyard? You can water it anytime and any day, as long as you do so with a handheld hose and nozzle or a watering can. Soaker hoses are also allowed any time and any day, for any purpose.

Lawns, shrubs and other outdoor plants, however, can only be watered between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has a complete list of all water restrictions.