By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

Despite a recent spate of rain, county officials are reminding residents that watering restrictions are still in place.

County officials Tuesday officially approved the newest water restrictions that went into effect last month.

The commission took its cue from Newnan Utilities Tuesday night and approved limiting outdoor watering to once a week.

Newnan Utilities announced earlier it would move the water restrictions to a more stringent level. Coweta County gets most of its water from the utility company and decided to follow suit.

Watering will now be limited to Saturdays from midnight to 8 a.m. for residents with even-numbered addresses and Sunday from midnight to 8 a.m. for odd-numbered residences.

County water director Harry Hughes said landscapers would still be able to water new plants at new developments, but once a home is turned over to the homeowner, the watering will be limited to once a week.

But commissioners wanted to make sure the restrictions would not put anybody out of business. Commissioner Lawrence Nelms said the county should go along with Newnan Utilities' recommendation of allowing a landscaper to water for three days when planting new sod.

The other commissioners agreed and passed Nelms' motion to allow it.

Hughes also pointed out that some water users, especially in the fast-growing northern part of the county, were having pressure problems.

To alleviate those problems, Hughes said those users would be allowed to water one day during the week, instead of the weekend, when the rest of the county was watering.