Cobb Student Wins Regional Essay Contest

Brooke Underwood, a sixth grader at Mount Paran Christian School, is this year’s District-wide winner in the annual Clean Water Campaign / “I’m In” Water Conservation Campaign Essay Contest. The contest is open to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students living in the District. The student essays focus on how citizens can protect water quality in rivers and lakes and conserve water at home, at school and in the community. Some 103 students submitted essays this year.

Brooke Underwood received the grand prize with her essay titled, “Protecting and Preserving Our Planet’s Water Supply.” In her essay, she touches on the key elements of what residents of the region should do to protect and conserve water.

From left to right: Marcus, Kristi and Brooke Underwood and Cobb County Commissioner Helen Goreham

Thank you to all the students and teachers who helped to make this year’s essay contest a success. County winners are listed below:

Basin Advisory Councils Tour Stormwater Projects in Their Basins

October Basin Advisory Council meetings focused on the drought update, Tri-State Water Conflict, the District’s Watershed Management Plan and local government stormwater projects. Members also visited a number of stormwater projects in their basins: Cobb County’s Chastain Meadows Regional Stormwater Management Facility in the Coosa Basin; Peachtree City’s Willowbend Road Culvert Replacement Project in the Flint Basin; the City of Gainesville’s Flat Creek Stormwater Regional Detention and Stream Restoration Project in the Lanier Basin; and Gwinnett County’s Claiborne Lake and Wetland Restoration in the Ocmulgee Basin.

The Basin Advisory Councils also elected the new chairs: Charles McKinney - Chattahoochee Basin; Doris Cook - Coosa Basin; Richard Greuel - Flint Basin; Val Perry - Lake Lanier; Mike Walker - Ocmulgee Basin; and Jill Stachura - Oconee Basin. If you would like more information about the Basin Advisory Councils, please visit http://www.northgeorgiawater.org/html/361.htm or contact Sarah Simmons at ssimmons@atlantaregional.com.

Cooling Tower 101 Workshop

Earlier this fall, the Metro Water District partnered with Building Operators and Managers of Atlanta (BOMA) to provide a cooling tower training workshop for local building engineers, facility and property managers, and water providers. Mr. Paul Puckorius, a world renowned expert on cooling tower water systems, conducted the workshop and presented information on the basics of cooling tower water systems, water conservation opportunities and ways to protect cooling tower equipment. A total of 74 building engineers, facility managers and water utility staff attended the workshop representing six local water utilities and buildings from nine counties within the District.

GreenPlumbers Training Series

The Metro Water District has partnered with Georgia Power to bring the GreenPlumbers Training Series to Atlanta. More than 30 plumbers representing 18 companies that serve residents and businesses throughout the District are enrolled in the training series. The series includes four all-day workshops on topics including water and energy audits, solar hot water and water efficient technology. The series ends in December with the GreenPlumbers Accreditation Exam. Accredited GreenPlumbers will be able to help their customers make more informed decisions to improve water and energy efficiency in their homes.

The District Hosts a Booth at Atlanta Home Show

In late September, the District hosted a booth at the Atlanta Home Show held at Cobb Galleria Centre. District staff spoke with Home Show attendees about the “I’m In” water conservation campaign, the toilet rebate program and Fats, Oils and Grease (F.O.G.) educational materials. This was a great opportunity for staff to educate residents about the easy steps they can take to help protect the region’s water resources. For more information on the Metro Water District’s “I’m In” water conservation campaign, visit www.mydropcounts.org.

The Georgia Water Systems Audit and Water Loss Control Manual is Now Online

As a requirement of the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010, Georgia EPD produced the Georgia Water Systems Audit and Water Loss Control Manual to assist water providers in reducing water loss through leaks. EPD sought the help of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP), with technical assistance provided by the Georgia Water Loss Technical Small Group, which included fourteen individuals. Members from the Metro Water District who assisted in the development of this manual included Abby Owens with the Metro Water District staff, David Kubala from Cherokee County WSA and Charles Lambert from DeKalb County. The Technical Small Group members also worked with GAWP to develop and host five training workshops on the manual around the state. More than 300 water professionals received training on water system auditing and water loss control. Copies of the presentations from the trainings and the Georgia Water System Audits and Water Loss Control Manual are available at http://www.gawp.org/audits.php.

Regional Water Plans Adopted Throughout the State

On November 15, 2011 the Georgia Environmental Protection Division officially adopted all 10 Regional Water Plans created by the State’s Regional Water Planning Councils. These plans are a first for the rest of the state and, in combination with the existing Metro Water District’s plans, will help guide future permitting decisions for Georgia EPD. For more information on the Regional Water Plans, visit www.georgiawaterplanning.org.