August 2021
Mayor Bottoms Tours WSP Facility
Quinton Fletcher (right), Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Water Treatment & Reclamation, and Josephus Young (left), Manager of the Bellwood Quarry Pumping Station, recently accompanied Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on a private tour of the facility.
 
See more photos at bit.ly/TwitterCOA.
August is National Water Quality Month

National Water Quality Month is dedicated to making the most of the relatively small amount of freshwater we have because having clean water is vital to our individual health, our collective agricultural needs, and the needs of our environment.

We are reminded to take a moment to consider how important these water sources are not just to humans, but also to the other inhabitants of these ecosystems— whether it be the fish that live in the waters or the plants and animals that rely on these lakes and rivers for water just like we do.

By thinking about the little things that you do on a daily basis that could have a negative effect on water quality, you’ll be one step closer to making a difference.

To learn more, visit www.nationalwaterqualitymonth.org
The 2020 DWM Water Quality Report is Now Available
The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is pleased to present the 2020 Water Quality Report (WQR), which provides information about Atlanta’s drinking water system. Data collected and analyzed by the DWM Office of Watershed Protection confirms that the City’s drinking water continues to meet or exceed standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) as required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. We thank you for your support in our mission to provide clean, safe drinking water to all of our customers.

To download and read the 2020 DWM Water Quality Report,
please visit atlantawatershed.org.
Story Map
Water Quality in Georgia
The Integrated Report Map Series provides Georgians a broad summary of water quality information and the programs implemented by EPD and its partners to protect water resources across the state. It also includes a review and summary of ongoing statewide water planning efforts; wetland, estuary, and coastal public health/aquatic life issues; and water protection, groundwater, and drinking water program summaries.

To view the story map, visit EPD’s website at https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch, and click on the Water Quality in Georgia Story Map link at the bottom of the page.
Non-drought Outdoor Water Use Schedule
The Georgia Water Stewardship Act allows daily outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. by anyone whose water is supplied by a water system permitted by the Environmental Protection Division. The following outdoor water uses also are allowed daily at any time of the day by anyone:

  • Irrigation of personal food gardens
  • Irrigation of new and replanted plant, seed, or turf in landscapes, golf courses, or sports turf fields during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation
  • Drip irrigation or irrigation using soaker hoses
  • Hand watering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container

Please visit https://epd.georgia.gov for more information.
Close Your Door When You Go To Sleep
Heading Here
A closed-door is one of the best pieces of firefighting equipment.

A closed-door can:

• Reduces fire growth and spread
• Limit damage to your home/building
• Save lives
Solid Waste Services Reminders

  • Continue using City-issued carts for recycling and garbage disposal.
  • Place carts curbside no later than 7 a.m. collection day. Please remove by 9 a.m. the day after collection day.
  • Place the cart on the curb with metal bar facing the street.
  • There will be no Solid Waste collections on Labor Day, Monday, September 6. Residents will experience a one-day collections delay. Friday collections will be picked up Saturday, September 11.
  • Report service issues online at www.atl311. com, or call 404-546-0311. Sign up for service reminders at www.atlantaga.gov/solidwaste
Special Notice
Collection of Yard Trimmings

Due to staffing shortages that are affecting the solid waste industry nationwide, the Department of Public Works is now collecting residential yard trimmings every other week until further notice. Any yard trimmings that are not picked up on the scheduled collection day should be left curbside as crews continue to work evenings and weekends to collect missed yard debris. Find your scheduled yard trimmings collection day at www.atlantaga.gov/solidwaste, or dial 404-546-0311 for questions.
Stay Safe Outside!
Hydrate and Avoid Heat Stroke

Exposure to heat can cause illness and even death. The most serious heat illness is heat stroke. Other heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash should also be avoided. There are precautions you can take any time temperatures are high:

  • While outside this summer, drink as much water as possible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises one pint of water per hour during the day’s warmest times.

  • Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. Excess layers or articles that fit too tightly prevent proper blood cooling. Also, light colored clothing will absorb less heat than darker pieces.

  • Avoid strenuous activity in the warmest weather and identify shaded areas and cool spots for when you feel overheated.

Avoiding heat stroke begins with conditioning your body for hot temperatures. Hydration is key to proper sweat and cool down, so fill up before, during, and after you go out. Download the OSHA fact sheet at bit.ly/ OSHAHeatStress for more information.
DWM is Here to Serve our Customers
with budget-saving programs

The Department of Watershed Management does not take our customers for granted. DWM continues to offer program assistance to customers and especially those that may be experiencing financial hardship.


  • Bill Pay Assistance - The City offers financial assistance to low to moderate-income ratepayers who have difficulty paying water and sewer bills.
  • Plumbing Repair Assistance - DWM distributes grant funding to non-profit organizations to provide plumbing repairs and replace high flow fixtures at no cost to the customer. To learn more about the Care and Conserve Program, visit: atlantawatershed.org/care-and-conserve

Senior Discount


Toilet Rebate Program


To reach DWM by phone, call 404-546-0311
Gardening in Atlanta
Download the brochure by clicking on the image
Stay in the Know,
Even on the Go!

Get emergency notifications on any mobile device and choose the alerts you want to receive. From water utility notifications to public safety to road closures and severe weather, the alerts will be right at your fingertips. Sign up for NotifyATL at http://bit.ly/Notify-ATL, or text NotifyATL to 888777.

You can also receive DWM emergency notifications by subscribing to our News Splash External Newsletter, which also provides information on the latest department news and initiatives at https://conta.cc/3jOKdCc.
Help Keep Our Catch Basins Clean Through the
Adopt-A-Drain Program
The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s Adopt-A-Drain program helps improve the quality of stormwater within the city’s watersheds, as well as keep the City informed about infrastructure maintenance needs.

The Adopt-A-Drain program encourages volunteers to adopt a storm drain in or near their neighborhoods, commit to cleaning the drain of leaves and other debris and then monitor the condition of that drain for the duration of the adoption.

Volunteers will receive training and a storm drain cleaning supply kit. For more information or to sign up, please call 404-546-1411 or send an email to tlawson@atlantaga.gov.
City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your billing dispute or adjustment request, an appeal to the City of Atlanta Water and Sewer Appeals Board may be requested per City Ordinance Section 154-29 within seven days of the Department of Watershed Management’s dispute resolution decision. The Water and Sewer Appeals Board is a group of citizens appointed by the Atlanta City Council to conduct hearings to review the dispute. You have a right to an appeal only after your bill has gone through the formal dispute process and a decision has been rendered. Visit https://www.atlantawatershed.org/appeals/.
Does DWM Have Your Correct Contact Information?
Do you have a new email address or phone number? Do you want to receive DWM emergency notifications by phone, email or both?

The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is doing what matters. We want to be able to reach you with information you need to know.

Please click here to ensure that we have your correct contact information for our database and let us know your communication preferences.
News Splash E-Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the latest programs and services offered by Watershed
Management! Subscribe to the News Splash e-newsletter today at