Community Involvement
- Storm Drain Decal Projects
- Stream Sign Project
- Athens-Clarke GreenSchool Program
- Stormwater Steward Award
Storm Drain Decal Projects
Many people do not realize that storm drains are a direct connection to rivers and streams. Anything that goes into a storm drain in Athens-Clarke may eventually find its way into the Oconee River. It is important to keep pollutants like litter, yard clippings, and pet waste out of storm drains.
Often times, Public Works crews find storm drains clogged with litter or yard waste. Signs also indicate illegal dumping of household hazardous waste such as motor oil, paint, or pesticides. These pollutants flow directly into area streams, impacting the health of our rivers and the cost of treating municipal drinking water.
To help educate the public about the importance of keeping storm drains free of pollutants, ACC Stormwater sponsors storm drain decal projects for volunteer groups. Storm drain decals that read "No Dumping, Drains to Stream" are available to place on storm drains in Athens-Clarke.
Contact ACC Stormwater to learn more about scheduling a storm drain decal project in your neighborhood.
Stream Sign Project
ACC Stormwater and other county departments partnered with Upper Oconee Watershed Network (UOWN) to increase public knowledge of area streams through new signage. ACC Public Utilities and the Transportation and Public Works departments worked with UOWN to place signs where local roads cross over streams or creeks. The new signs bear the name of the stream on a blue background.
Initially, sixteen signs were installed along Trail Creek and its two major branches. Trail Creek originates where two smaller creeks, the East Fork Trail Creek and West Fork Trail Creek meet in the northern portion of Clarke County. On its way to the North Oconee River at Dudley Park, the creek passes underneath the Athens Loop 10, Vine Street, and East Broad Street, often times unnoticed by motorists on the road above.
Public support of these initial signs along Trail Creek is being gauged to determine the placement of future signs along other creek crossings in the county. Let ACC Stormwater know what you think about the stream sign project.
Athens-Clarke GreenSchool Program
ACC Stormwater partners with other county agencies to provide environmental education resources to local public and private schools through the county's GreenSchool program. Participating classrooms and schools receive free educational supplies, monthly e-newsletters, and in-class presentations.
GreenSchool students have participated in storm drain decal projects, learned about their watershed through hands-on activities, and expressed their talents through rain barrel art.
Look for the GreenSchool logo at your child's school or classroom to find out if the school is participating.
Stormwater Steward Award
Each year, ACC Stormwater presents the Stormwater Steward Award to an organization, business, individual, or community group that has worked to consider the impact of stormwater runoff on the health of area waters through a specific project, practice, or event.
Award Recipients
2006
Robinson Fisher Koons, Inc.
Firehall 4 Animal Hospital
2005
Williams and Associates, Land Planners P.C.
The Arches at Mitchell Street
