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Irrigation Rules Relaxed for New Lawns

The Town Council has decided to allow residents greater latitude in irrigating new grass and other new landscaping.

But, the Council has also increased penalities for those who violate water conservation rules.

The new irrigation policy will apply mostly to new homes with sod or seeded lawns and commercial landscaping that is trying to get established. The Council agreed that current irrigation regulations might be too restrictive in some cases for some new landscaping to take hold. Officials want to make sure that new landscaping, especially for those making a large-scale investment, gets the amount of irrigation it needs for success.

Properties allowed more frequent irrigation will be given a sign that identifies their special need so that neighbors won't think they're cheating, Town Manager Steve Biggs said.

“Residents are quick to report a violation of the water conservation laws,” Biggs said, “and unless we clearly point out the special cases, we'll be getting a lot of phone calls. People here are serious about water conservation, and we're grateful for that.”

The new penalities will kick in after the first violation, which will continue to get a warning. Residents who violate conservation rules a second time will be hit with a $250 fine. A third violation will result in a $500 fine, plus a 45-day loss of irrigation rights.

Though the Spring and Summer have been relatively wet, some water conservation rules are still in force for Clayton residents--and probably will remain in force for some time.  In addition to the need to protect water resources, the Town and County also regulate irrigation as a means to reduce peak demand.

Irrigation is NOT allowed on Mondays. Residents with odd number addresses may irrigate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Those with even number addresses may irrigate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. That schedule applies for personal car washing, too, and other, non-essential uses of water.

The use of in-ground irrigation systems is allowed but only on the proper days.

The drought that took some areas across the South to the brink of disaster last Summer has not yet been declared over.