Water Conservation Requirements
Permits, Rules & Regulations, and Statutes

Georgia EPD regulates the withdrawal and use of Georgia's ground and surface water resources. Many of EPD's rules involve the documentation of water usage and the adoption of water conservation plans and ordinances. These requirements affect every water user and water delivery service.

October 2007 - Governor Perdue Orders Utilities, Permit Holders to Reduce Water Use by 10 Percent

Statewide Outdoor Water Use Schedule

Due to worsening drought conditions in Georgia, the Director of EPD has declared a level four drought response for the northern third of the state. A level four drought response prohibits most types of residential outdoor water use. The level four drought response was declared for all counties in north Georgia from Muscogee County on the Alabama line northeastward to Spalding County, and eastward to Lincoln County on the South Carolina line. Click here to view a map

A level two drought response continues for the remainder of the state. The level two drought schedule is as follows:

• Odd-numbered addresses may water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 12 midnight to 10 a.m. only.
• Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 12 midnight to 10 a.m. only.

The Board of Natural Resources adopted Rules for Outdoor Water Use, Chapter 391-3-30 in May 2004.  Under the rules, Georgians are required to follow schedules for outdoor water use during both non-drought periods and during periods of declared drought. The rules are consistent with Section 4 (Drought Responses) of the Georgia Drought Management Plan, which the Board adopted in 2003.

The rules apply to any entity, and its customers, permitted by EPD for water withdrawal or for the operation of a public drinking water supply system.

For more information and useful tips to send to your water customers, please visit these links:

• Citing Historic Drought, Georgia EPD Bans Most Outdoor Water Use in North Georgia
  September 28, 2007
• Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor Watering
• Rules for Outdoor Water Use
• State Drought Management Plan
• Outdoor Watering Information

Local governments and water providers are authorized to implement more stringent outdoor water use schedules within their jurisdictions.

Water Withdrawal Permits

Anyone interested in withdrawing more than 100,000 gallons of water per day is required to obtain a permit from the EPD. Much of the documentation required to receive a non-farm water withdrawal permit involves general documentation of water distribution, creation of a water conservation plan, annual reports, and 5-year progress reports. For a complete list of permit requirements, go to the EPD Web site, Watershed Protection Branch, EPD Forms page, under Water Withdrawal Permitting.

Agricultural Water Withdrawals

• Agricultural Withdrawal Application [Revised Jul 2004]
• Agricultural Withdrawal Application (Word format) [Revised Jul 2004]
• Offsite Link: County Maps for Agricultural Withdrawal Application (Note: Scroll to the bottom for county maps. After selecting a county, click on the printer icon above and to the left of the map to print.)
• Flint River Basin Water Withdrawal Permitting [Revised Mar 2006]

Surface Water Withdrawals - Municipal and Industrial

• Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal Application [Revised Sep 2005]
• Industrial Surface Water Withdrawal Application (Word format) [Revised Sep 2005]
• Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal Application [Revised Sep 2005]
• Municipal Surface Water Withdrawal New Application (Word format) [Revised Sep 2005]
• Reporting for Surface Water Withdrawals can be conducted online. Contact Jane Lu for more information.

All Groundwater Permit Applicants Must Complete:

• Part A Application Form [Revised Aug 2005]
• Part B Application Form [Revised Mar 2003]
• Groundwater Use Report (Jan - Jun) [Revised Jul 2005]
• Groundwater Use Report (Jul - Dec) [Revised Jul 2005]
• Coastal Groundwater Water Withdrawal Permitting

Municipal Groundwater Permit Applicants Must Also Complete:

• Municipal Water Conservation Plan [Revised Apr 2004]
• Municipal Water Conservation Plan Characteristics [Revised Apr 2004]
• 5-Year Water Conservation Progress Report for Municipal facilities [Revised Mar 2003]
• Submit a signed copy of HB489 Service Delivery Strategy (from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs)

Industrial Groundwater Permit Applicants Must Also Complete:

• Industrial Water Conservation Plan [Revised Apr 2004]
• 5-Year Water Conservation Progress Report for Industrial facilities [Revised Mar 2003]

Golf Course Groundwater Permit Applicants Must Also Complete:

• Golf Course Water Conservation Plan [Revised Apr 2004]
• Golf Course Water Conservation Plan Characteristics [Revised Apr 2004]
• 5-Year Water Conservation Progress Report for Golf Course facilities [Revised Mar 2003]

Public Drinking Water System

If you currently hold a drinking water permit, please complete the Public Water System Water Conservation Questionnaire (Word Format) [Revised Jan 2004]