By MONROE ROARK
mroark@thecitizennews.com

The city of Fayetteville is preserving a large taxpayer investment by watering the medians on Ga. Highway 85, according to City Manager Joe Morton.

An outside contractor, Hollingsworth Landscaping, is handling the work, which is completely within the guidelines set down during the recent water restrictions covering most of the state, Morton added.

During the 10 a.m.-10 p.m. ban on outdoor residential watering, businesses may continue to use water to protect their livelihood. Hollingsworth falls into that category, Morton said.

David Hollingsworth, owner of the landscaping firm, said mulch around the plants includes a gel that holds water longer, so watering is required only once a week. When company workers water, he said, they use well water so drinking water supplies are not affected.

The work is part of a six-month contract for landscaping services that the city entered into before the water restrictions were handed down, according to Morton, and the $100,000 project represents a substantial investment of taxpayer money that would be completely wasted if watering stopped and the landscaping died as a result.

No watering is being done by the city along Ga. Highway 54, Morton said.