PRESS RELEASE

Department of Watershed Management Honored by the Georgia Water Coalition as a Clean Water Hero   

ATLANTA –The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) today announced that it was recognized as one of 13 honorees in a special celebration hosted by the Georgia Clean Water Coalition on Thursday, March 8, 2018. The Water Coalition’s inaugural Clean 13 Report highlighted the extraordinary efforts on the part of businesses, industries, local governments, non-profit organizations, and individuals to protect the water and natural resources of Georgia.

DWM was recognized for adopting one of the most far-reaching stormwater ordinances in the country. More than 4,000 projects have been approved using rain gardens, porous pavement, rainwater cisterns and other pollution controls.  These green infrastructure projects help to slow down and keep polluted rainwater from entering streams.

“In 1998, Atlanta received the first of two consent decrees to address combined sewer overflows,” said Commissioner Kishia L. Powell. “Now, 20 years later, to be recognized for our efforts in making a difference in protecting our water resources is an extraordinary honor.  This award is also for the many stakeholders and community groups that have supported and worked alongside DWM.”

Additional award winners were featured in the Coalition’s inaugural Clean 13 Report released in September 2017. Read the report at https://www.gawater.org/clean-13/clean-13-2017-report.

The Georgia Water Coalition is a consortium of more than 240 conservation and environmental organizations, hunting and fishing groups, businesses, and faith-based organizations that have been working to protect Georgia’s water since 2002. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of Georgians. The mission of the Georgia Water Coalition is to protect and care for Georgia’s surface and groundwater resources, which are essential for sustaining economic prosperity, providing clean and abundant drinking water, preserving diverse aquatic habitats for wildlife and recreation, strengthening property values, and protecting the quality of life for current and future generations.

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