The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) was established on September 16, 2002. Over the last 18 years, DWM has grown to a regional utility with a workforce of more than 1,400 dedicated employees who serve 1.2 million residents and visitors daily.
Though the water system serving Atlanta dates back to 1875, DWM was largely established to manage the responsibilities of two wet weather consent decrees, and consolidation of water and wastewater operations. DWM has grown from $246M to over $600M in annual water and sewer revenue to support an annual operating budget of $617M, a five-year capital program of $1.26B and management of assets valued at more than $5B.
Over the past year, DWM has celebrated key progress milestones of major infrastructure projects; one being the Water Supply Program. Water is flowing into the former Bellwood Quarry with a reservoir capacity to hold 2.4 billion gallons of water. This will serve as an emergency water supply for the City of Atlanta, as well as being the centerpiece of the new Westside Park.
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DWM also celebrated the official opening of a state-of-the-art Nutrient Recovery Facility at the R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center. The City’s Ostara Pearl® Nutrient Recovery System is a groundbreaking process for extracting nutrients from wastewater and converting them into a highly pure continuous release fertilizer.
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DWM's water professionals are dedicated to delivering excellent customer service while providing clean and safe drinking water, and treating wastewater to a high standard and protect the watersheds. Click here to read the DWM's Strategic Plan 2020.
Happy Anniversary to the Department of Watershed Management!
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DWM Water Supply Program - Pump Stations Awarded
LEED Certifications
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DWM was recently recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council. Two of the Water Supply Program’s pump stations were awarded with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications.
The Hemphill Pump Station earned the LEED Gold certification and was recognized for stormwater management, mercury-free lighting, water use reduction, and the community connectivity aspects of the facility. The Quarry Pump Station received the LEED Silver certification for energy efficient exterior and interior lighting, daylight and views, thermal comfort, construction waste management, green building education and outreach, and the site open space features of the facility.
“I am extremely proud of the efforts of the Water Supply Program Project Team,” said Interim DWM Commissioner Mikita Browning. “These certifications recognize the City of Atlanta’s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings,”
These LEED-certified pump stations are part of the Water Supply Program, which will increase Atlanta’s reserve water supply from three to five days to 30 to 90 days. The $320 million investment included the construction of a five-mile tunnel connecting the Chattahoochee River, the Hemphill Water Treatment Plant, and the former Bellwood Quarry, which was transformed into a 2.4 billion-gallon water reservoir. The Water Supply Program is currently scheduled for completion in Fall 2020.
The LEED certification is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
For more information about the Water Supply Program, visit our website h2o4atl.com/. Also visit usbgc.org to learn more about LEED.
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Be Counted!
Remember to Complete the 2020 Census
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September 30, 2020 is the last day for households to self-respond online,
by phone or by mail
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As the nation adjusts to a new normal with COVID-19, the 2020 Census remains as important as ever. An accurate count directly determines equitable representation as well as federal funding Cities across metro Atlanta receives. Stand up and be counted.
Click here for more information how to Be Counted!
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Mayor Announces City to Move Back to Phase II of Reopening Plan |
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ATLANTA - Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will transition to Phase II of the City’s Five Phase Reopening Plan. The transition to Phase II is effective immediately.
In July, the City moved back to Phase I in response to the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in the state of Georgia. The Mayor’s reopening plan was drawn from the recommendations of the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Reopening Atlanta and public health experts. The reopening phases are based on milestone metrics and recent data.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Help Keep Our Catch Basins Clean Through the
Adopt-A-Drain Program
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The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s Adopt-ADrain program helps improve the quality of stormwater within the city’s watersheds, as well as keep the City informed about infrastructure maintenance needs. The Adopt-A-Drain program encourages volunteers to adopt a storm drain in or near their neighborhoods, commit to cleaning the drain of leaves and other debris and then monitor the condition of that drain for the duration of the adoption. Volunteers will receive training and a storm drain cleaning supply kit. For more information or to sign up, please call 404-546-1411 or send an email to tlawson@atlantaga.gov. |
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Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Extends Administrative Orders Related to COVID-19 for 60 Days
ATLANTA—Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reissued Administrative and Executive Orders to assist Atlanta residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, to be executed for an additional sixty days through October 31, 2020.
Administrative Order 2020-39 directs the Department of Watershed Management (DWM) to refrain from taking any action which would result in the termination of water services to any DWM customer due to non-payment through October 31, 2020. To read full press release, click here.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Bottoms issued a series of Executive and Administrative Orders to minimize the impact of the virus. Those Orders can be viewed online here.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Atlanta will transition to Phase II of the City’s Five Phase Reopening Plan. The transition to Phase II is effective immediately.
In July, the City moved back to Phase I in response to the alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in the state of Georgia. The Mayor’s reopening plan was drawn from the recommendations of the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Reopening Atlanta and public health experts. The reopening phases are based on milestone metrics and recent data.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Ticket Diversion Class
September 24, 2020
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Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s mission is to transform Atlanta into a more livable, accessible city by making biking equitable, safe, and appealing. To help promote understanding and awareness of the proper use of bicycle routes, bicycle lanes, multi-use trails, and learn how vehicles share public space within the City of Atlanta, the City Solicitor’s Office, in collaboration with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, developed a Diversion Program to provide education on bicycle safety and traffic laws for both drivers and bicyclists. The two-hour class will be held virtually on Thursday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Successful completion of the two-hour class earns participants a certificate that serves as the documentation needed to absolve ticket fines for improper use of bicycle routes, bicycle lanes, and multiuse trails. In order to enroll, please RSVP. You will receive a Zoom link to access the class. Visit AtlantaStreetsAlive.com for more details.
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Increased Water Usage and Payment Information During
COVID-19 Pandemic
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During the current COVID-19 public health pandemic and shelter-in-place order, you may experience increased water consumption as you find yourself running the dishwasher and washing machine more frequently and doing more household chores. This may result in an increased water bill.
If you are having difficulty making payments, you may qualify for assistance. Please visit www.atlantawatershed.org/care-and-conserve/ for more details. If you would like to make payment arrangements, please call ATL311 at 404-536-0311, and a customer service representative will be able to assist you.
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Schedule Collection of Bulk Item Pick-Up |
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City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board |
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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 154-29 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 hearings 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. Visit https://www.atlantawatershed.org/adjust-dispute-appeal-my-bill/.
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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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