Beginning April 1, Wilkes County residents will be allowed to water their landscaping by hand for up to 25 minutes from midnight to 10 a.m. every other day on an odd-even schedule, according to Governor Sonny Perdue's office.

The limited hand-watering per- mission prohibits watering by sprinkler systems, whether timed or manually operated, or by unattended lawn sprinklers.

The state is easing outdoor watering limitations through exemptions to the Level Four drought restrictions that were implemented in September 2007.

With the new exemption, hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an odd-even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Hand watering is definedas one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off when it is released.

Landscape businesses get a reprieve with the new exemption. New professionally installed landscape can be watered up to three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd/ even schedule. The new schedule will help ensure the survival of new landscape without requiring more water than what is being used under the current 30-day exemption.

Anyone wishing to water new professionally installed landscape must register with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program. The program will be hosted on the Urban Agricultural Council web site at www. urbanagcouncil.com beginning April 1, when the outdoor watering exemptions take effect. Georgians may also contact their county extension agents for assistance in getting registered.

Taking this action strikes a balance between sound management of our water resources and support of Georgia's industries that depend on water use, Perdue said last week. However, his call for 10 percent water-use reductions on all water permit holders will continue using last year's April-to-September average monthly water use as the baseline.

"Georgians have demonstrated their dedication to a culture of conservation," he said. "It is important to continue to encourage conservation with the 10 percent reduction, which I believe we can achieve while also supporting industries that are so essential to our state."

Local governments and water utilities in the 61-county Level Four Drought Response area will still be required to achieve the Governor's water use reduction goal of at least 10 percent. Beginning April 1, the water savings will be calculated using last year's April-September average monthly water use.

"These steps will give consumers confidenceto buy and plant new trees and shrubbery," said Governor Perdue. "It will give retailers confidenceto stock these items, and it will give producers confidenceto grow them. This action will lend renewed strength to the landscaping industry in Georgia."

More information about the drought and water conservation can be found at www.georgiaepd.com and www.conservewatergeorgia. net.