WaterFirst Community Program: Enhancing Water Resources Management

The WaterFirst Community Program is a voluntary partnership focusing on wise water resource management to improve community life through proactive approaches, environmental excellence, and economic benefits. It offers resources, incentives, and recognition to participating communities, aiming to establish a network of water professionals for protecting water resources for current and future generations. Components include watershed assessment, stormwater planning, water supply protection, conservation, wastewater planning, and more. Benefits include interest rate reductions, grant opportunities, and priority funding.

• WaterFirst Community Program
• Water Resources Management
• Environmental Excellence
• Community Partnership
• Water Professionals

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1. Helping Communities Put WaterFirst Deatre N. Denion, WaterFirst Coordinator September 9, 2015

2. Water Resource Technical Assistance Program Three Tier Approach Community Planning Institute Community Assessment WaterFirst Class WaterFirst Designated Community

3. What is the WaterFirst Community Program? Voluntary partnership between local governments and state agencies working together to increase the quality of life in communities through the wise management and protection of water resources; Proactive approach to water resources connecting land use and water quality and quantity; Pursuing and rewarding environmental excellence beyond what is required by law;

4. What is the WaterFirst Community Program? Establishing a network of water professionals and leaders in the industry; Protecting valuable water resources for both environmental and economic benefits today and for future generations.

5. Why would a community want to participate in the WaterFirst Program? And it provides: Resources: to help guide the integration of the management and protection of water resources into daily operations and comprehensive land use plans; Incentives: participating in the WaterFirst program, and committing to the community s goals for improved water quality, bring with it real economic benefits; and Recognition: WaterFirst designation will demonstrate a community s commitment to environmental excellence.

6. WaterFirst Community Program Components of WaterFirst Watershed Assessment Stormwater Master Planning Water Supply Planning Water Supply Protection Water Conservation Wastewater Master Planning Water Reclamation and Reuse

7. Benefits offered through the WaterFirst Program Designation Benefits: A 1% interest rate reduction for Georgia Environmental Finance Authority water related loans. Annual eligibility for DCA Community Block Development Grants for water related projects. Priority for EPD 319 Grant funding. State-wide recognition, including road signage, and authorization to use the WaterFirst trademarked logo.

8. Benefits offered through the WaterFirst Program Participating Communities receive: Resources, tools and support to help meet water management goals. State-wide recognition for being environmental stewards. Access to WaterFirst peer network and resources. Invitation to special issue retreats/workshops addressing critical water stewardship issues. Free attendance to any Community Planning Institute event.

9. Benefits offered through the WaterFirst Program Designation Benefits: A 1% interest rate reduction for Georgia Environmental Finance Authority water related loans. Annual eligibility for DCA Community Block Development Grants for water related projects. Priority for EPD 319 Grant funding. State-wide recognition, including road signage, and authorization to use the WaterFirst trademarked logo.

10. Designated WaterFirst Communities Since 2003 Gwinnett County City of Savannah Since2004 Columbus Consolidated Gov t and Columbus Water Works City of Hartwell Since 2005 Cobb County Cobb/Marietta Water Authority City of Tybee Island Since2006 Town of Braselton

11. Designated WaterFirst Communities Since 2007 City of Griffin City of Rome Tifton/ Tift County Since 2008 Oconee County City of Gainesville Douglasville/Douglas County/WSA Since 2009 City of Hinesville City of Roswell Since 2010 Forsyth County City of Winder Henry County/Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority Coweta County City of Cornelia

12. Designated WaterFirst Communities Since 2011 Garden City Loganville Since 2012 Newton County /Newton County W& S and all its municipalities Since 2013 City of Auburn Athens-Clarke County Since 2014 Fulton County Since 2016 City of Thunderbolt City of Pooler

13. WaterFirst Class City of Americus City of Austell City of Canton City of Cartersville City of Clarkesville City of Dallas City of Darien City of Douglas City of East Point City of Fairburn City of Glennville City of Jefferson City of McDonough City of Monroe City of Richmond Hill City of Rincon City of Social Circle City of Valdosta City of Waycross City of Woodstock Floyd County Pickens County Walker County

14. Applications Deadlines? Last workday in April and October. Application is to be submitted digitally and one hard copy.

15. Key: WaterFirst Class WaterFirst Communities

16. Deatre N. Denion Program Coordinator Office of Planning and Environment Georgia Dept of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30329 912-704-4136 deatre.denion@dca.ga.gov