If you water your grass during the day, you could be looking at having your tap removed.

That's the word from Coweta County Water director Harry Hughes in light of water restrictions handed down by the state Environmental Protection Division last week.

The EPD outlawed watering between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. in the Atlanta region. The drought in the last two years has led state officials to say that a total ban on outdoor watering could occur later in the summer.

Hughes told the Coweta County Commission Tuesday afternoon that an enforcement step had to be added to the ban. After studying proposals in other counties, Hughes recommended the first stage to be a warning from the water department.

The next violation would result in the resident's water tap being cut off until a $200 fine is paid.

Repeated violations would results in $500 fines and water taps removed from the residence until the watering ban is lifted.

“Outdoor water use is a conscious effort and we want people to know we're serious about this,” Hughes said.

He said water department officials should be able to handle the enforcement, but he had already talked to Sheriff Mike Yeager, who agreed to help with the enforcement.

Commission Chairman Vernon “Mutt” Hunter agreed that enforcement would be the toughest part and also instructed Hughes to stop the unauthorized use of fire hydrants in the county by residents or businesses.

Hughes pledged to crack down on hydrant violations and said he would keep the commission informed on violations.

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