Make a Splash at the 2021 Athens Water Festival
Water organizations will come together to make water sparkle at this year's Athens Water Festival on Saturday, September 11 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Sandy Creek Park!
The Water Festival is an annual family event celebrating all things water. Attendees splash, play, and learn with hands-on water activities set-up in a Festival format. This year's Festival theme is “Athens Water Olympics.” Touch sea life, become a water drop, create a water delivery system, or splash in the spray of water trucks. Compete in fun water games and earn your spot on the Olympic pedestal. With open-ended activities, participants of all ages will enjoy themselves.
This year's event will take place completely outdoors with activities spaced out under tents. Attendees will be encouraged to social distance as much as possible, masks will be provided, and hand sanitizer stations will be positioned throughout the Festival area. Make sure to bring a bathing suit and water bottle.
Water Festival activities are free, but there is a $2 per person entry fee for the park. Visit www.athenswaterfestival.com for more information. We hope to see you there! |
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Be a SepticSmart HomeownerEach year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsors SepticSmart Week in September to encourage homeowners to care for and maintain their septic systems. When not properly maintained, septic systems pose a serious threat to water quality. Athens-Clarke County Stormwater would like to remind all homeowners on septic to care for their systems by following these tips:- Think at the sink – What goes down your drain has a big impact on your septic system. Avoid pouring harsh chemicals or grease down your drain and use cleaners/detergents in moderation.
- Don’t strain your drain – Use water efficiently and stagger the use of water-based appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or showers to avoid back-up of your septic system.
- Keep it clean – Failing septic systems can contaminate groundwater, which in turn can affect our drinking water supply. If you are on a well system, test your water regularly.
- Shield your field – Drain fields are an important component of septic systems that remove contaminants from the liquid that emerges from the tank. Never park cars or plant trees on top of drain fields, and make sure roof drains and/or other drainage systems are directed away from it.
- Protect it and inspect it – Regular septic system maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars and protect public health. The average household septic system should be inspected and/or pumped every three to five years by a professional.
- Don’t overload the commode – Your toilet is not a trashcan. Disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, cat litter, and much more can damage your system. Do not flush them down the toilet.
For more tips, check out ACCGov's Septic Tank Maintenance video by clicking on the image below, or visit the Septic Education Program website.
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Stormwater Advisory Committee UnderwayA Stormwater Advisory Committee was recently formed to review the stormwater level of service and associated funding levels in Athens-Clarke County, and recommend any modifications that would serve the ideal public interest. Members were appointed by Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz and represent a variety of interests/industries, including engineering, construction, water quality, environmental policy, and residential homeowners. Meetings are open to the public, and dates are advertised on Stormwater's online calendar. The next virtual meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 5 at 12 PM. More information related to the Stormwater Advisory Committee - including meeting agendas, minutes, YouTube links to recordings of the meetings, and background information - can be found on the Committee's webpage. Public comments are also welcome and encouraged as the committee moves forward. |
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Last Call for Photos
It's time to put together the 5th edition of our Stormwater Calendar, and we are looking for photos of water or nature scenes around Athens. To submit a photo to be considered for the 2022 Calendar, email the image to stormwater@accgov.com with the name of the photographer and a description of when, where, and why it was taken. It could end up featured! Please have any submissions in by Thursday, September 30.
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Upcoming Events
2021 Athens Water Festival
Saturday, September 11, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sandy Creek Park (400 Bob Holman Rd.)
Go for the Gold with Team Water during the 2021 Athens Water Festival! With open-ended Water Olympics themed activities, participants of all ages will enjoy activities at the festival. Compete in fun water games, meet live animals, splash around with water trucks, and more! Make sure to bring a bathing suit and water bottle. Festival activities are free, but park admission is $2 per person (ages 4-64). Visit www.athenswaterfestival.com for more information.
KACCB "Love Where You Live" Raffle Drawing
Sunday, September 12
Online via Facebook
The Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful (KACCB) Board of Directors has put together three amazing gift baskets filled with gift certificates and goodies to help you support local businesses AND KACCB. Tickets are $1/piece and can be purchased online via PayPal, through a KACCB board member, or by making an appointment to visit the KACCB office. Sales will end September 11 at midnight and we will randomly choose the winners on September 12. Visit www.accgov.com/kaccbraffle to purchase or see the most current items in the packages!
Green School Kickoff
Wednesday, September 15, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Athentic Brewing Company (108 Park Ave.)
Come on out to the Green School Kickoff and meet with your Green School contacts! The Green School Program is designed to assist schools with environmental education and improvement efforts that focus on conservation, preservation, and beautification of our environment. Join us at the kickoff to see what new programs you can bring to the classroom, have some yummy snacks, and pick up prizes from the 20-21 school year. Coordinators, teachers, staff, and Environmental Education program providers all welcome.
Green Thumb Lecture Series: Invasive Plant Management
Wednesday, September 15, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Online via Zoom
Join Athens-Clarke County Extension online for a free, educational webinar about invasive plant management. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome. Register by September 14 at www.accgov.com/gardening to be emailed the Zoom link.
Stormwater Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 12:00 PM
Online via WebEx
October meeting of the Stormwater Advisory Committee. Agenda and streaming information will be posted at www.accgov.com/agendacenter.
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Notice Dumping?
Call the Stormwater Hotline at 706-614-1282 if you see someone dumping into a storm drain or notice flooding due to clogged pipes.
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