Water Conservation / Outdoor Water Use Restrictions

Most of us take for granted an abundant supply of clean, fresh water. We meet our daily demands when we turn on the faucet and get seemingly unlimited running water. As the demand for water increases, water conservation and efficiency will be more important to protect water resources, especially during the spring and summer months.

Just how much water do we use each day? Studies show wide variations in different parts of the country, and also between urban and rural households. On average in metro Atlanta, a typical consumer uses 90-100 gallons of water per day. The largest indoor use of water in single-family homes is for toilets, followed by faucets, showers and the clothes washer, according to the Water Research Foundation. It is also estimated that approximately 13% of indoor water use is lost to leaks.

Water use varies with the time of day and season of the year. Households use less water during the winter months. Peak consumption is in the spring and summer, and daily use is typically highest in the early mornings and then again in the evening.

Water Conservation and Toilet Rebate Information

Water Conservation Information and Brochures

Water Conservation Items Available

The Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer is pleased to offer a water conservation kit to our residential customers featuring water saving plumbing upgrades. These kits are available at no charge to help make conserving water that much easier.

Each Kit Includes:

Two bathroom 1.0 GPM (gallons per minute) faucet aerators by Niagara Conservation. These aerators are EPA WaterSense certified and can save up to 55% over pre-1993 standard water fixtures.
One kitchen 1.5 GPM swivel action faucet aerator by Niagara Conservation. This aerator is EPA WaterSense certified and can save 32% more water over standard faucets.
2 Pack of toilet dye to help detect toilet leaks.
Water Saving brochures containing water conservation tips and other information.

Eligibility: If you own a home built in 1993 or before and are a water customer of the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer, then you are eligible to receive the water conserving kit. Please call 770-781-2160, ext. 4794 for additional information or to schedule a time to pick up your kit. There is a limit of one kit per service address. Kits may be picked up at the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer, 514 West Maple St., Suite 806, Cumming, GA 30040.

Current Outdoor Water Use Restrictions

Current Drought Response Level:

NON-DROUGHT

Forsyth County is currently under a Non-Drought Water Use Schedule. This water schedule allows all types of water use each day of the week, but landscape watering only before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. daily. This is done to limit evaporation during the warmest part of the day. All citizens are urged to be good stewards of our water resources and conserve water on a year-round basis.

Toilet Rebate Program

Please Note: Only WaterSense labeled, Ultra High Efficient Toilets (UHET) using 1.1 gpf (gallons per flush) or less will be eligible for a $75.00 rebate. Toilets using 1.28 gpf or more are no longer eligible for a rebate.

Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer customers may qualify for a rebate by replacing older, inefficient toilets. To be eligible for the toilet rebate program, customers must apply for the rebate with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and meet certain qualifications.

Customers can apply online or download and print an application at https://northgeorgiawater.org/conserve-our-water/toilet-rebate-program/. You can also call 404-463-8645 to receive an application by mail. If a customer qualifies, the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer will credit the customer's account with the rebate.

Eligibility Requirements to receive a toilet rebate:

Have an individual, residential account with the Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer and be up-to-date on billing payments
Own or rent a single-family residential home built in 1993 or earlier (this will be verified)
Purchase an approved toilet to replace an older toilet using 3.5 gpf (gallons per flush) or greater. Only approved WaterSense labeled Ultra High Efficient Toilets (UHET) using 1.1 gpf or less will qualify for the rebate. Please visit WaterSense Product Search for approved 1.1 gpf or less toilet models.
Agree to an installation verification visit to ensure your water efficient toilets have been installed

There is a limit of two (2) toilet rebates per property (including previous owners). Rebates are limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Only Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer customers are eligible. Households on wells are not eligible for a rebate. Applicants meeting all requirements can expect notification via letter or email from the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District within 30 days. After notification, the rebate should appear within two (2) billing cycles. The rebate can only be used towards the purchase price of the toilet (tank and bowl), and does not pay for Georgia sales tax, additional installation parts, or installation. Rebates are limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Toilet Rebate Program Qualifications and Instructions

15 Important Tips Before you Purchase a Toilet

Disposing of or Recycling an Old Toilet

Forsyth County Department of Water and Sewer customers should call their local public works department or garbage service provider for locations of drop-off sites or to inquire about curbside pick-up services. Customers interested in recycling their old toilets may contact Patterson Services in Mableton, GA at 404-505-1449, CHaRM (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) in Atlanta, GA at 404-600-6383, or other porcelain recyclers listed in the telephone directory.

Keep Forsyth County Beautiful also has information related to Recycling and Disposal.

Water Supply

Metro Atlanta relies almost entirely on surface water to meet the water supply needs of the region. The unique geology of the region, which includes a thick layer of granite, limits access to other water sources such as groundwater and increases our reliance on surface water such as reservoirs and rivers.

Lake Lanier, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers multi-purpose reservoir, is the primary water supply source for Forsyth County. The watershed for Lake Lanier has a relatively small drainage area in contrast to the lake's surface area, which can lead to extreme low water conditions during extended dry periods (such as the record low lake level in December, 2007).

As the region's population continues to increase, the demand on water resources will be significantly greater in the future. To help maintain the supply of clean, safe water for all residents throughout the state, and especially during times of low precipitation, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division institutes a series of Drought Response Levels in reaction to changing atmospheric, soil moisture, and water level conditions throughout the year. Promoting and actively practicing water conservation year-round helps to sustain our water resources as efficiently as possible.

A WaterFirst Community

Forsyth County is proud to be a designated WaterFirst community since 2010. Becoming a WaterFirst community demonstrates a local government's commitment to responsible water stewardship for environmental and economic benefits. Communities that earn the WaterFirst designation are eligible for financial and other benefits from the state of Georgia.

The WaterFirst Program is a voluntary partnership between local governments, state agencies, and other organizations working together to increase the quality of life in communities through the wise management and protection of our valuable water resources. This proactive approach to water resources requires local governments to make the connection between land use and water quality, and it requires thinking beyond political boundaries to recognize the complex relationships created by shared water resources.

The intended result of WaterFirst is achieving excellence beyond the current water regulations in nine major categories:

Watershed Assessment
Stormwater Master Planning
Wastewater Treatment and Management
Water Supply Planning
Water Supply Protection
Water Conservation
Water Reclamation and Reuse
Educational Outreach
Regional Water Planning

WaterFirst is a program of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) and recognizes local governments for achieving excellence in water resource management.

Additional Information

Fix a Leak Week

A WaterFirst Community