Flowing into Tourism
How the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is Teaching Communities the Value of Water
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Brazilian Delegates tour the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant to learn the similarities and differences of the plant’s treatment process as it compares to Brazil.
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Students enjoy a day of touring at the water treatment plant during a summer camp outing.
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City of Atlanta Watershed Operator Josephus Young “Esquire” conducts a tour during the Trick-a-Treatment event.
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Tour of the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant
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Mention the word “tourism” and what comes to mind? Travel or exploration of exotic places; but how about a tour of a drinking water or wastewater treatment plant? The United States is fortunate to have one of the safest public drinking water supplies in the world, and it’s important to know how that water gets to our faucets and what makes it safe to use. That is what the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) Education and Community Outreach team offers.
A tour of any one of DWM’s water and wastewater facilities educates participants about the value of water and the critical role it plays in our daily lives. Such tours give the public the opportunity to get an up-close look at the inner-workings of the City of Atlanta’s water utility; it builds customer goodwill and strengthens brand identity as a 21
st
century state-of-the-art utility.
A behind-the-scenes tour of one of the most critical resources in Atlanta offers an exciting educational opportunity for residential and commercial stakeholders, civic and social organizations, as well as elementary schools, high schools, summer camps, and colleges.
“I was amazed at all the processes it takes and I’m glad we were able to take the tour,” said recent tour participant Professor L. Monique Woodruff of the Environmental Science and Studies program at Spelman College. “It was such a reinforcement of what the students have been studying in their environmental classes.”
A common question posed by water customers across the country is, why are water bills high? For DWM, addressing that concern requires thoughtful community engagement. Our goal in offering tours of our facilities is to give participants a first-hand look at why investing in capital improvements of our water infrastructure is critical to ensuring clean, safe drinking water for the 1.2 million customers we serve, as well as providing properly treated wastewater.
To sign up for a tour of one of the DWM drinking water facilities, (Hemphill Water Treatment Plant and Chattahoochee Water Treatment Plant) or a wastewater facilities (R. M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center and Utoy Creek Water Reclamation Center), contact the Education and Community Outreach team at 404.546.3200 or visit our website:
www.atlantawatershed.org/communityoutreach
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You're Invited to Attend the
Intrenchment, Sugar, and Doolittle Creeks
Stormwater Roadshow
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JOIN US!
The City of Atlanta
Department of Watershed Management
Invites you to attend the
Intrenchment, Sugar, and Doolittle Creeks Stormwater Roadshow
An Informational Open House
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Coan Park Recreation Center
1530 Woodbine Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
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This Roadshow - focused on the Intrenchment, Sugar, and Doolittle Creeks
watersheds - is the sixth of eight Open House events designed to engage the
public about stormwater issues. The goal of the Open House is to listen to the
community and gather feedback about the Department’s stormwater
program and projects. Attendees will also have multiple opportunities to learn
about stormwater.
Come and let your voice be heard. The DWM stormwater team and
community partners will be on hand to discuss current and future programs,
and how to be good stewards of the watersheds. We will listen to YOU
about the impact of stormwater in your community.
Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Todd Gleaton,
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City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management:
Driving a Community-Wide Resilient Water Future
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The WaterNow Alliance has featured Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s Green Infrastructure Program as one of a series of case studies highlighting innovative communities around the country that are tapping into localized water strategies for affordable and impactful solutions to water challenges. Read the blog post
HERE.
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Green Infrastructure in Cleopas Johnson Park
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Contractors working for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
completed construction of green infrastructure (GI) in Cleopas Johnson Park, located in the Proctor Creek combined sewershed. Bioretention and bioswales sited in existing planting beds and underutilized lawn areas within the park divert approximately 25,000 gallons of runoff from the combined sewer in each storm event. In addition to new bioretention, new plantings and mulch stabilize an eroding embankment within the park.
Working closely with the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DWM), DWM is integrating GI in several parks in the City of Atlanta’s combined sewersheds. In addition to Cleopas Johnson Park, bioretention in Selena Butler Park, completed in the summer of 2018, diverts 10,000 gallons of runoff from entering the combined sewer in each rain event. Construction broke ground in February 2019 for GI in Morgan Boulevard Park in the Clear Creek combined sewershed. Both Proctor Creek and Clear Creek are tributaries of the Chattahoochee River.
DWM’s goals in these projects are to seamlessly integrate GI in park landscapes to simultaneously enhance water quality, recharge groundwater, provide capacity relief in combined sewer areas, enhance aesthetics and provide opportunities for environmental education.
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Block Party & Backpack Giveaway
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DWM Rain Barrel & Compost Workshops 2019
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It’s not too late to sign up for rain barrel and composting workshops. The workshops teach the benefits of using rain barrels for water conservation and stormwater management. Rain barrels provide an additional source of water for shrubs and plants and they help to prevent erosion from stormwater runoff. Workshops also include information on building rain gardens.
Workshops are held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Water Works Lodge, located at 655 Green Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.
The workshop fee is $40 (includes rain barrel and installation kit), which can be paid on-site by cash, check or money order.
Please see this year's schedule below.
Click here
to register for the August Compost Workshop.
Click here
to register for the September Rain Barrel Workshop.
Click here
to register for the September Compost Workshop.
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Rain Barrel Workshop Dates
September 11
Composting Workshop Dates
August 21
September 25
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Celebrate the Roaring Twenties at the Mayor’s Seasoned Ball
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Please join Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for the 2019 Seasoned Ball on Friday, October 11, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center. Seniors (age 62 and older) must pre-register in order to attend. Seating is limited and the deadline to register is Monday, September 9, 2019.
For more information or to register, contact the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at 404-330-6023.
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Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Hosts Streets Alive: Southwest
Sunday, September 29, 2019 | 2 - 6 p.m.
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Join the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition for Atlanta Streets Alive: Southwest on Sunday, September 29, 2019, from 2 - 6 p.m. The community-driven route (along 4.8 miles of Cascade Road, Cascade Avenue and Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard) kicks off in front of the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve at the intersection of Cascade Road and Veltre Circle for the official opening of the street, followed by a parade of a route. All are welcome to walk, roll and stroll! Visit activity partners and route hosts along the way that will have a host of interactive and family-friendly activities. Explore the historic open streets from end-to-end.
Atlanta Street Alive: Southwest is FREE and fun for all ages. Bring friends and family and share in the experience of enjoying our city streets as public space!
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DWM Stream Walks Along Proctor Creek
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In our July issue, we featured DWM's Office of Watershed Protection Stream Walk program, which celebrates the return of native fish species to Proctor Creek in Northwest Atlanta. Enjoy this showcase of beauty in your own backyard documented by City of Atlanta’s Chief Content Officer Keith Whitney.
Click play to watch the full story.
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Reminder from the
Department of Public Works
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Residential bulk collections must be scheduled
at least one business day in advance via
ATL311. Collections are subject to availability,
Monday - Friday.
The Department of Public Works Solid Waste
Services provides residents 12 free scheduled
bulk pick-ups per year. If bulk is not scheduled
and/or exceeds 12 times, there will be a $325
fee.
For questions, dial 3-1-1, or log onto
www.atlantaga.gov/solidwaste
.
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Does DWM Have Your Correct Contact Information?
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Do you have a new email address or phone number? Do you want to receive DWM emergency notifications by phone, email or both?
The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is doing what matters. We want to be able to reach you with information you need to know.
Please
click here
to ensure that we have your correct contact information for our database and let us know your communication preferences.
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