Last year, water-saving landscaping practices became even more important in the Atlanta region when the Georgia Environmental Protection Division instituted a permanent outdoor watering schedule. The schedule limits outdoor water use year-round, even during non-drought periods.�Odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.�Even-numbered addresses can water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.�No watering is allowed on Fridays.

"Even in a wet year like this one, it's important to remember watering restrictions, said Cindy Daniel of the Metropolitan Georgia Water Planning District. "They are not just for drought anymore."� she added, "Watering restrictions help to relieve pressure demands on the water systems during peak hours as well as raise awareness of water use."

Any landscape, whether newly installed or well-established, can be made more water efficient by implementing one or more of the seven steps of Xeriscaping.�Some examples of the steps include soil improvement and appropriate plant selection. Existing landscapes do not have to be totally redesigned, but can be retrofitted to save water. Significant water savings can be realized by simply modifying your watering schedule, learning how and when to water, using the most efficient watering methods and learning about the different water needs of plants in your landscape.

For more information about the workshop, go online to www.cleanwatercampaign.com or call Corlette Dennard at 404-730-8097. The South Fulton Service Center is at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA 30349. Other Xeriscape workshops will be held in Cobb and Gwinnett counties.

The Clean Water Campaign is a cooperative, multiagency public education initiative spearheaded by local governments in metro Atlanta, supported by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission.�Its mission is to build awareness of water quality problems and solutions in the Atlanta region. For more information about the Clean Water Campaign, contact Kelley O'Brien at 404-463-3259.