News Release: Department of Watershed Management Awarded Local Issue Authority of Year
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NEWS RELEASE
Department of Watershed Management Awarded Local Issue Authority of Year
DWM receives award for its commitment to provide customers with safe, clean drinking water, and investing in the City’s infrastructure
Atlanta – The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) was named the 2021 Local Issue Authority (LIA) of the Year by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) during their virtual awards ceremony on March 17, 2021. The responsibilities of a LIA include upholding the state model ordinance for Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Pollution Control.
DWM received the award for its commitment to providing customers with access to safe, clean drinking water, while responsibily investing in the City of Atlanta’s infrastructure. The Department has consistently submitted semiannual reports to the GSWCC since 2009. DWM has completed 33,360 plan reviews and 245,389 site inspections. Team members have distributed 11,255 ‘stop-work’ orders and have issued $827,861 in fines while conducting these assessments. The City received an exceptional rating during its last overview after resolving 2,037 erosion and pollution control complaints in a timely manner.
“It is not often that regulators win awards, but we are proud and honored to be highlighted in this manner,” said DWM Commissioner Mikita Browning. “We look forward to continuing working with the Commission and District to fulfill our mission of protecting our soil and water resources through a strong, but fair, approach that holds polluters accountable.”
The GSWCC was formed to protect, conserve and improve the soil and water resources of the State of Georgia. The Commission helps local conservation districts, landowners, and more information, visit https://gaswcc.georgia.gov/.
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About DWM
The Department of Watershed Management provides high-quality drinking water and wastewater services to residential, businesses and wholesale customers while protecting Atlanta’s urban waterways, conserving natural resources, and providing clean, safe water for downstream customers. The Department is responsible for the strategic planning and oversight of operations of water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment services, and stormwater management.