Marietta Water Restrictions 2026
Cobb County · Georgia
Published:
Year-Round + EPD Level 1 - April 2026
We have not independently verified this city’s watering schedule. Rules change with drought stage and can be updated at short notice. Confirm your assigned watering days on the Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) official page before watering. Following the wrong schedule can result in a municipal fine.
Verification needed
Check with utility
Before 10:00 AM
Allowed Hours
Verification needed
Check with utility
Check Your Watering Day With Marietta
We have not verified Marietta’s current watering schedule against an official source. Watering rules are set by your city and change with drought stage.
Confirm your assigned days on Marietta’s official water page: Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA).
Allowed Watering Hours
Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 baseline (year-round, statewide): outdoor irrigation is prohibited 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (6-hour blackout). Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is permitted any day, any time. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are permitted any day during the allowed hours. New sod or seed installations qualify for a 21-day establishment variance. EPD Level 1 (active April 27, 2026) imposes a public information campaign but does not add restrictions beyond the year-round baseline; Level 2 escalation would limit watering to 2 days/week and ban residential vehicle washing + pressure washing.
Still Allowed
💧 Hand Watering
Allowed with shut-off nozzle. Hours: Hand watering with a shut-off hose is permitted any day, any time.
🌿 Drip Irrigation
Exempt from day-of-week limits. Must follow allowed hours.
Fines & Enforcement
Written warning first; $100–$500 escalating per local ordinance
First offence: written warning. Repeat offences: $100–$500 fines depending on the municipality. Local water departments and code enforcement issue warnings and citations under the Water Stewardship Act baseline.
🏠 HOA Rules During Restrictions
Georgia HOA law (OCGA 44-3-235) limits HOA authority to enforce rules that conflict with state law. The Water Stewardship Act of 2010 plus any EPD drought declaration are state law, HOAs cannot fine homeowners for brown or dormant lawns caused by compliance with these restrictions. Document compliance with your city's watering schedule if your HOA contests a dormant lawn.
If your homeowners association sends a violation notice for a dormant or brown lawn during the current restriction period, respond in writing citing the applicable law and include a copy of the current restriction order from Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority. Most HOAs will rescind the notice once they are made aware of the legal protections in place. If the issue persists, contact your county’s code enforcement division for assistance.
Why These Restrictions Exist
Marietta, GA follows the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 baseline year-round and is now under the Georgia EPD's statewide Drought Response Level 1 declaration of April 27, 2026, the first formal drought declaration since 2012. Year-round Water Stewardship Act rules: • Outdoor irrigation: prohibited 10 AM – 4 PM (6-hour blackout) • Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle: any day, any time • Drip irrigation and soaker hoses: any day during allowed hours • 21-day establishment variance for new sod and seed • Fines: written warning first; $100–$500 repeat EPD Level 1 (April 27, 2026) requires a public information campaign at all Georgia public water systems but adds no new mandatory restrictions beyond the Water Stewardship Act baseline. Public water systems CANNOT impose stricter restrictions without an EPD variance. Level 2 escalation would trigger mandatory 2 days/week + bans on residential vehicle washing and pressure washing. Marietta is the seat of Cobb County and is served by the Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA), one of the largest wholesale water providers in Georgia. CCMWA operates the Wyckoff Water Treatment Plant and the Quarles Water Treatment Facility, drawing from the Chattahoochee River and Allatoona Lake. CCMWA serves Marietta plus surrounding Cobb County customers including Smyrna, Kennesaw, and unincorporated Cobb. The Marietta Square historic district and the Big Chicken landmark are reminders that this city's outdoor water demand spans dense urban + suburban-residential profiles. Georgia HOA law (OCGA 44-3-235) prohibits HOAs from fining homeowners for brown or dormant lawns caused by compliance with state water restrictions. Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River, the primary regional supply for the Atlanta metro, are showing strain from below-average winter 2025–2026 rainfall. Monitor Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) (https://www.ccmwa.org) for stage updates and the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (northgeorgiawater.org) for regional coordination.
This deficit has accumulated over the current water year and represents a significant departure from historical averages for the Marietta area. Water supply reservoirs and aquifer levels are well below seasonal targets, necessitating mandatory conservation measures.
How to Keep Your Lawn Alive During Marietta Water Restrictions
9 tips tailored for Marietta homeowners during Year-Round + EPD Level 1 - April 2026 restrictions.
Marietta sits in the Atlanta metro and is dominated by Bermuda, Zoysia, and Tall Fescue lawns. Bermuda and Zoysia tolerate 4–6 weeks of drought dormancy by going semi-dormant, let browning happen rather than stress-watering on off days.
Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle is unrestricted at every drought level, prioritise mature trees and high-value shrubs over turf.
Cycle-and-soak (5 min run, 30 min rest, repeat) is essential on Atlanta's red clay soils to prevent runoff during the brief allowed cycles.
Mow Bermuda at 2.5–3 inches and Tall Fescue at 3.5–4 inches through summer to shade soil and reduce evapotranspiration.
Tall Fescue lawns naturally go semi-dormant in Atlanta summer heat, the 10 AM–4 PM blackout actually aligns well with Tall Fescue's biology, allowing deep root penetration during cooler hours.
Skip nitrogen fertiliser June–September, it forces growth the lawn cannot support during peak heat with restricted watering.
Drip irrigation and soaker hoses for vegetable beds and ornamentals are permitted any day outside the 10 AM–4 PM blackout, use them to keep food crops productive.
Apply for Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District turf-rebate programs through your local utility, Atlanta-Fulton-DeKalb-Cobb residents qualify for $0.50–$2 per sq ft conversions.
Monitor https://www.ccmwa.org weekly. If EPD escalates to Level 2, all Georgia public water systems must enforce mandatory 2 days/week + bans on residential vehicle washing and pressure washing.
Marietta Water Restriction FAQs
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