|
Online
Utility Payments
Administration
706-613-3470
Water Business Office #1
706-613-3500
Water Business Office #2
706-613-3870
Water Conservation Coordinator
Stephen Dorsch
706-613-3729
Director
Gary Duck, PE
Water
Business Office #1
596
Prince Avenue
Athens,
GA 30601
Location Map
Water
Business Office #2
1055 Gaines School Road #110
Athens, GA 30605
Location Map
Administration &
Engineering
Management
1865 W. Broad Street, Suite C
Athens, GA 30606
Location Map
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1868
Athens, GA 30603
|
|
 Access this page directly by simply typing in thinkatthesink.com next time. Look at ways that you can help conserve water (here's 75 tips to get you started). Sign up below to receive updates daily and other information from ACC.
 new! Want a rain barrel, but don't want to make one? The Master Gardeners will have rain barrels for sale for $40 at the April 19 Plant Sale at the old Farmer's Market next to Cooperative Extension Office at 2152 W. Broad Street. Find out more.
new! Local outdoor water use restrictions were revised slightly as of April 2 to include exemptions recently authorized by the Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission under the State Level 4 Drought Response and the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority’s recent actions. The Special Use Permit application is also now available for download online.
Community Meeting on Expanded Sewer Capacity in Barnett Shoals Area: The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Public Utilities Department will soon be expanding the capacity of the sanitary sewer system in the Barnett Shoals area by replacing existing sewer interceptor pipelines with larger pipelines.
All interested citizens are invited to attend a community meeting on Monday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Barnett Shoals Elementary School, 3220 Barnett Shoals Road. The engineering firm, along with Public Utilities Department staff, will answer questions and discuss concerns regarding the project.
This project is part of a continuing effort by ACC to protect the environment and the health of its citizens by providing adequate public sewer service. The Barnett Shoals Interceptor Project was recommended in the 2004 update of the Service Delivery Plan and approved by the Mayor and Commission in 2005.
new! Stormwater Management is offering another rain barrel workshop to Athens-Clarke County residents on April 13 at Sandy Creek Nature Center. The fee is just $10 to cover some of the cost of the hardware. Participants will bring their own plastic drum or trash can and we have the hardware and tools. We make the rain barrel for you while you watch and learn! Rain barrel construction takes about 15 minutes, and appointments are available from Noon to 4:00 p.m. This is a by-appointment-only event, so call 706-613-3440 ext. 383 to reserve your spot.
new! Check out the public meeting on March 19 & the new Street Scenes newsletter for information about infrastructure improvements in the Five Points area in 2008 & 2009.
new! Watch a video clip online during the March 4 Mayor & Commission meeting for a Water Ban update from Mayor Heidi Davison. Note that the full meeting - with link to this section - is available at www.athensclarkecounty.com/videos.
Due to the ongoing drought conditions, Athens-Clarke County continues the Level 4 Drought Response, completely banning all outdoor water use.
Although some precipitation has been received during December and January, Athens-Clarke County ended 2007 with a precipitation deficit of approximately 17.5 inches, the 2nd highest deficit in over 100 years (only topped by the 1954 drought).
Athens-Clarke County’s precipitation for January 2008 showed a deficit of over 2 inches, so the likelihood of breaking out of the drought anytime in the near future is not encouraging.
Although there have been some recent announcements from the Governor regarding changes to outdoor water use restrictions, these changes will not be in effect until April 1, 2008 at the soonest. Water utilities throughout the 61 county affected area, including Athens-Clarke County, will assess water supply resources over the next six weeks to determine what concessions, if any, will be made to outdoor water use restrictions. Final decisions on outdoor water use will reside with local governments and water providers.
Drought update: As of Thursday, January 17, the Bear Creek Reservoir is at full pool.
Rainfall: According to the National Weather Service, the total rainfall for 2007 was 31.51 inches, which was well below the 47.83 inches 30-year annual average (1971-2000). But look at the NWS data for Athens and note the wide variation in rainfall since 1996 on an annual basis - up and down over the years. Rarely does Athens hit the "average."
Read the Drought Management Plan ordinance [PDF] that was revised by the Mayor & Commission to add 'Step F' in December.
Athens-Clarke County met the State-Mandated Water Consumption Reduction Rate ahead of Dec. 1 deadline. Thanks to the community! Find out more.
A special drought edition of the Water Source newsletter is now available online in our Online Documents area.
The Transportation & Public Works Department's Stormwater Management Program has a document describing how to make your own rain barrel. It's available in our Online Documents area.
The Drought Management Report presentation from the Oct. 25 Mayor & Commission Work Session is now available online in a PDF format in our Online Documents area in color and black & white versions.
Online video of the Drought Management Work Session from Oct. 25 is now available online.
Solid Waste, Recycling & Water Conservation: The ACC Recycling Division has provided information on use of environmentally-friendly disposals and recyclable single-use containers in lieu of washing dishes and utensils.
Drought Response Planning: Read about the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government's drought response planning from Manager Alan Reddish.
Grey Water: Please note that grey water cannot be used outside as current local ACC codes do not make an exception for grey water usage from normal sanitary disposal methods. Keep in mind that this use of grey water doesn't conserve any water - it only reuses water that has been previously used.
So what can you do with grey water to actually conserve water? Try filling up your toilet tank or bowl with it for use in flushing. This is allowed.
What is grey water? According to the Rules
of
the Department of Human Resources
Public Health,
Chapter 290-5-26 (On-Site Sewage Management Systems): Wastewater generated by water-using fixtures and appliances,
excluding water closets, urinals, bidets, kitchen sinks and garbage disposals.
Restrictions & Enforcement: Read more about the current restrictions and enforcement procedures.
University of Georgia's Water Conservation Web site
Check out some more water conservation tips:
The Sworn Witness Statement for Outdoor Water Use is now available online for formal complaints by citizens of others' outdoor water use.
Outdoor watering is banned at any time, 24 hours per day/7 days per week. Find out more.
The Water Distribution System Flushing Program has been temporarily suspended due to increased drought restrictions. A revised schedule will be posted when sufficient rain has fallen and the program continues. Find out more about the program.
JG Beacham Water Treatment Plant on Water
Works Drive is now
able to process 38 million gallons of water per day, an increase
from the previous amount of 28 million gallons per day. Also new
is a 3.5 million-gallon water storage tank, with installation of
a second tank scheduled. Four new distribution pumps are able to
deliver water at any necessary rate, and the facility’s new
pre-chemical building is nearly complete.
The facility’s
electrical system has undergone a complete renovation, and the
new underground wiring will increase plant efficiency as well as
voltage capacity. Two diesel-electric generators will support the
facility in the event of power loss from the main supplier, Georgia
Power. These improvements will allow for improved water flow and
pressure in the outer areas of Athens-Clarke County, as well as
increase the facility’s ability to deliver and produce water,
and prevent dirty water from infiltrating the clean water system
in the event of power loss. During the remainder of these upgrades
and afterward, there will be no change in water service to Athens-Clarke
County.
Outdoor watering restrictions are still in effect.
Our Water Central area below offers helpful information
on how to conserve water, requirements on water usage in Athens-Clarke
County, and other pertinent drought related resources.
A Public Utilities Rates & Fees brochure is
now available in the Online
Documents area. |
