MARCH 2020
The Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST) Makes Cents
Look for the existing 1-cent Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST), on the primary ballot, which allows the City of Atlanta to spread the cost of improving the water & sewer infrastructure across the City’s visitors & the business community. Learn more at: https://www.atlantawatershed.org/most/ .
How MOST Helps Address Maintenance Needs of Atlanta’s Aging Public Stormwater Infrastructure System
In 2016, Atlanta City Council authorized 10% of the MOST (Municipal Option Sales Tax) funds—an estimated $12.5 million per year—to be used to manage stormwater infrastructure.
 
When paying your water bill, you are paying for drinking water and sewer services. However, keeping streets clear of stormwater runoff is not a service on the water bill. The MOST has been a game changer for Atlanta. Previously, the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) could only address emergency stormwater issues such as vacuuming out a clogged storm inlet which can cause dangerous street flooding. Now, with an annual source of funding, we have a program to collect service requests and issues from around the City, prioritize problem areas, and deploy crews to clean, assess and repair some of the most serious longstanding issues. In addition, the funding enables the City to address some of these issues using vegetative, “green” solutions such as specially designed stormwater street tree planters.
 
To date, the MOST-funded Stormwater program has cleaned and inspected 50 miles of pipe and unclogged 645 structures. Additionally, the program is funding a comprehensive update to our storm sewer-asset inventory. This helps DWM better understand what we have, what the needs are, and track and plan ahead for asset management.
 
Cost analysis shows that it will take $40-60 million per year for the City to address regulatory compliance mandates, protect water quality in our streams, prevent flooding and keep the City’s streets passable. While the current MOST funding of $12.5 million per year for stormwater management doesn’t come close to fulfilling the City’s needs, it is a step in the right direction.
Household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so each year we hunt down the drips during Fix a Leak Week (March 16-22, 2020). Remember that you can find and fix leaks inside and outside your home to save valuable water and money all year long.

The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

Here are some of the places leaks may be hiding around your home.

  • Toilets: Listen for running water and conduct a food coloring test.
  • Showerheads: Turn on and look for drips or stray sprays that can be stopped with tape.
  • Faucets: Listen for drips and turn on the tap to check for water going the wrong direction.
  • Water heater: Check beneath the tank for pooling water, rust, or other signs of leakage.
  • In-ground irrigation system: Check for broken sprinklers or nozzles spraying in the wrong direction. You may want to consult an irrigation auditor certified by a WaterSense labeled program to improve system efficiency: www.epa.gov/watersense/find-pro.
World Water Day 2020
World Water Day 2020: Water and Climate Change. World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness about the vital importance of water to safeguarding human security and maintaining the health of the planet’s ecosystems.
Rain Barrel & Compost Workshops 2020
Rain barrel and composting workshops are back for 2020! 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 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 St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 .

The workshop fee is $40 (includes a rain barrel and installation kit), which can be paid on-site with cash, check or money order.
 
Please see this year's schedule below.
 
Click here to register for the April Rain Barrel Workshop.
 
Click here to register for the April Compost Workshop.
Rain Barrel Workshops
April 8th
May 6th
June 10th
July 8th
August 5th
September 2nd
Compost Workshops
April 22nd
May 20th
June 24th
July 22nd
August 19th
September 16th
Have You Completed Your Census?
You can complete the census online,
by phone, or by mail. If you need
help you can visit www.atlcounts.org
or call us 404.546.7502.

Filling out the census is easy, safe, secure and necessary for our community to
receive the funding, representation,
and resources it deserves.
Are You Behind on Mortgage Or Is Your
House Value Under Water?
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the City of Atlanta have partnered with HomeSafe Georgia to help keep families in their homes.

HomeSafe Georgia is a federally funded program that provides up to $50,000 for eligible homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments.

  • Do you owe more on your home than it is worth?
  • Have you suffered a hardship that caused your mortgage to become past due?

If you answered yes to either question, you may be eligible for the HomeSafe program! Apply before March 31, 2020 for mortgage assistance up to $50,000!

Call 1-877-519-4443 or visit www.homesafegeorgia.com before March 31st to find out if you’re eligible.
City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your billing dispute or adjustment request, an appeal to the City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board may be requested per City Ordinance Section 154-28 within seven days of the Department of Watershed Management’s dispute resolution decision. The Water and Sewer Appeals Board is a group of citizens appointed by the Atlanta City Council to conduct he arings to review the dispute. You have a right to an appeal only after your bill has gone through the formal dispute process and a decision has been rendered.

Does DWM Have Your Correct Contact Information?
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.