Contact Us
Angie Marcus
Water Efficiency Program Supervisor
(770) 528-8214
Email: angie.marcus@cobbcounty.org
Cobb County Water Efficiency
662 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, GA 30060
To report water waste, click here.
Current Outdoor Watering Rules
On December 27th, 2019, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) lifted the Level 1 Drought Response for Cobb County, and 102 other Georgia counties.
All Cobb County residents should follow the non-drought outdoor water use schedule required under the Water Stewardship Act of 2010. It allows for daily outdoor watering of plants, ground cover, trees, shrubs, and other plants only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. To find a list of exceptions and more information, please review the frequently asked questions sections at the bottom of this page or click here.
We encourage customers to continue conserving our water resources. Cobb County Water System has free conservation kits and comprehensive educational resources on how to use water efficiently indoors and outdoors.
Water Waste Reporting
We hope all citizens follow the watering schedule currently in place allowing for outdoor watering before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. We all have a role in using our water wisely. If you observe water being wasted in our community, please contact us with a description and address of the event by emailing waterefficiency@cobbcounty.org.
Examples of Water Waste
- Visible leak running without repair
- Allowing a hose to run unattended without a shutoff nozzle
- Misdirected sprinklers watering pavement and impermeable objects
- Broken or missing sprinkler heads causing excessive runoff
Water waste and violations of current watering restrictions are subject to the following penalties:
- First violation – written warning
- Second violation - $100.00 fine
- Third violation - $250.00 fine
- Fourth and subsequent violations - $500.00 and possible service disconnection
Thank you for your community support and cooperation as we promote continued wise and conservative water use.
Outdoor Watering Restriction FAQs
Yes. All Cobb County residents should follow the non-drought outdoor water use schedule required under the Water Stewardship Act of 2010. It allows for daily outdoor watering of plants, ground cover, trees, shrubs, and other plants only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. To find a list of exceptions and more information, please click here.
Yes. There are no restrictions on car washing or pressure washing during non-drought or Level 1.
No. The new rules allow hand watering with a shut-off nozzle any time of the day any day of the week.
Sports fields and parks are exempt from the hourly restrictions. These areas may be watered any time any day of the week.
Drip irrigation is completely exempt from the outdoor rules it may be used any day or anytime.
- Commercial Agriculture.
- Alternative sources of water (grey water, rainwater, condensate, etc.)
- Irrigation of food gardens
- Irrigation of newly installed or reseeded turf for the first 30 days.
- Drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
- Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle.
- Water from a private well.
- Irrigation of plants for sale.
- Irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses or public recreational turf.
- Installation and maintenance of irrigation systems.
- Hydroseeding.
Yes. There are no restrictions on car washes in non-drought or a Level I Drought Response.
Yes. There are no restrictions on fountains in non-drought or a Level I Drought Response.
Use the step test to evaluate if your lawn needs to be watered:
- Place your foot firmly on your turf area.
- Watch how quickly the turf springs up to cover your footprint.
- If the turf springs up immediately (a few seconds) your turf is probably not in need of watering.
- If the footprint remains or the turf slowly rises to eventually cover it your turf is in need of a deep watering.
Visually Inspect plants to see if they require water before irrigating on your day.
- Check plants in the early morning or late evening. Plants checked in the heat of the day will always appear to need water.
- If the plant is wilting; yellow or grayish in appearance; has dried edges or browning, or loss of flowering the plant is probably in need of water.
For more information on proper plant and landscape maintenance visit our Outdoor Water Use page or call the Water Efficiency Office at 770-528-8214.