The history of drought in the Southeast region of the United States demonstrates the importance of conserving our water resources. In response to Georgia’s changing water situation the Georgia Legislature created the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District in 2001. This District was established to develop a comprehensive water plan for the 16 counties that make up metropolitan Atlanta. The District, in cooperation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, was responsible for monitoring compliance by water providers to ensure adequate quality and quantity of water for the future.
Cobb County Water System has launched the Water Efficiency Program to assist customers with saving water and lowering water bills. There are programs and materials available through our Water Efficiency Program to help you as Cobb County introduces the State requirements. If you wish to receive information on programs or water saving materials please contact our Water Efficiency Office by clicking here.
DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
On June 10, 2009, Dr. Carol Couch, Director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, lifted the restrictions on outdoor water use. All outdoor watering is now permitted as defined by the non-drought odd/even schedule. Even and Unnumbered addresses may water anytime on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Odd addresses may water anytime on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The need for the efficient use of outdoor water is not only tied to drought. It is necessary to maintain a healthy, vital landscape while preserving a limited natural resource.
Irrigation systems should be fully inspected by a certified irrigation professional before they are reactivated. Inactive irrigation systems can experience multiple problems, such as cracked or missing heads, misdirected nozzles, or broken lines. Cobb County Water System has an At Home Irrigation Audit and a comprehensive education program on how to use water efficiently outdoors while maintaining a beautiful landscape.
Have a beautiful lawn the efficient way
One way the Water Efficiency Program is helping customers save water and money, is with a new initiative that encourages customers to maintain their yards with a minimum amount of water. During irrigation season up to 65% of drinking water in Cobb County can be used on outdoor watering. This affects our delivery system by putting a strain on infrastructure, and many people are actually damaging their yards. Over-watering is the number one killer of plants, not drought. The habit of shallow watering every other day creates weak, water-dependent plants unlikely to survive any adverse conditions.
The new program — Give them an inch…Grow a yard! , gives customers information and materials to help them achieve the beautiful landscapes they want while saving water, and raising healthier plants. Neighborhoods can become Give them an inch…Grow a yard! Communities by having Water System staff come out and give a presentation on efficient outdoor water use or by distributing our educational materials. Click here to see participating water efficient communities.
Local businesses can become Give them an inch…Grow a yard! Partners by carrying our educational materials for their customers. Click here to see participating water efficient businesses.
To find out more on how to help your neighborhood or local business become a Give them an inch…Grow a Yard! Partner or Community Click here.
To contact the Cobb County Water Efficiency office, call: (770) 419-6244 or click here to send an email.The Cobb County Water System's New Toilet Rebate Program:
The biggest water user in the home is the toilet. Up to 45% of the water used indoors is flushed down the drain everyday. Cobb County Water System is introducing a toilet rebate program approved by the Board of Commissioners on October 29, 2007. The goal of the program is to provide an incentive for customers in homes built prior to 1993, to retrofit older high flow toilets with new low flow technology. Cobb County Water System also offers customers low flow retrofit kits to help them achieve greater water savings. Please contact the water efficiency program for a retrofit kit. Customers will be eligible to receive rebates for up to 3 toilets per home. If the same brand and model toilets are chosen please fill out one application if different models are chosen fill out one application for each model. This program is available for approved toilets purchased on or after the Drought level 4 declaration on September 20, 2007.
The program has two rebate options. The first is a $50.00 rebate for the purchase of any approved 1.6 gallon per flush toilet on the approved toilet list: click here for the list. The $50.00 list will be updated every year, coinciding with the annual Maximum Performance Testing.
The second program option is a $100.00 rebate for high efficiency toilets, toilets using 1.28 gallons per flush, which have earned the WaterSense Label. WaterSense is the Environmental Protection Agency’s labeling program for water efficiency. WaterSense labeled toilets will have the label on the product. That list will be updated quarterly as WaterSense adds newly labeled products: click here for the List.
For additional questions or information on the toilets please view our Frequently asked questions.
Please submit the original purchase receipt and the application to:
Water Efficiency Program
660 South Cobb Dr.
Marietta, GA 30060
To view and download the Toilet Retrofit Rebate application, click here.
Toilet Valve Rebate Program
Up to two hundred gallons of water a day can be lost to toilet leaks, many of them are silent. More than a gallon of water can be wasted every flush waiting for the tank to refill. In an effort to target wasted water and assist our multi-family customers, Cobb County Water System is offering a 50% rebate on the purchase of HydroClean 660 Toilet Valves for master metered and multi-family properties.
The HydroClean 660 valve offers a two-pronged savings. First, it can be adjusted to eliminate the additional water sent down the overflow tube after the tank has filled. Secondly, it is the only valve with jets at the bottom of the tank that send an auditory signal anytime the toilet is leaking, alerting customers to leaks, and prompting immediate repair.
Taking advantage of this program is easy. The management of the property simply purchases the valves and has them installed. Then fill out the application form and submit it and your original receipt to the Water efficiency Program for a credit on your water bill in the amount of 50% of the purchase price.
For more information on eligibility and program details, click here to view our FAQs.
To view and download a Toilet Valve Rebate Application, click here.
Pick 10
Join the Pick 10 Campaign. Choose simple tips that add up to a savings of 10 gallons a day. If everyone in Cobb saved just 10 gallons a day we could save 6 million gallons of water everyday.
Click here to view and download the Pick 10 program guide and learn how you can help!
 |
Learning how to read your water meter is an important step in becoming water efficient as well as finding leaks in your home. Click here to download our guide on reading your meter and checking for leaks. En Espanol |
|
 |
Pool Maintenance Best Management Practices Guide The key to saving water and enjoying your pool for the summer is proper maintenance. For more information on how to enjoy your pool and still preserve our water resources download our “Pool Maintenance Best Management Practices Guide." |
|
Additional Resources for Water Efficient Ideas
H2ouse.org– In this virtual tour of a typical home, the user is given conservation tips as they move through the house.
Toiletflapper.org– This website provides information on the correct flappers to purchase when repairing and replacing toilets. Instructions on how to replace a flapper are presented also.
Irrigation Calculator– Put your yard on a water budget! This link has information on how much water average plants need based on evaporation (water lost from the soil), transpiration (water lost from the plant), and precipitation received. Enter the dates for the period you would like to calculate. A positive water balance means there are that many inches of moisture available, no need to water. A negative balance means your plants require the equivalent of that many inches in moisture. Check this weekly during irrigation season to avoid over watering