CONSERVE WATER GEORGIA
waterSmart
waterSmart is an education program designed to give Georgians the information they need to successfully conserve water. Developed by the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority in 2000 for residents in its service area, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division began using the waterSmart brand in communications and education activities in 2006 to help residents statewide understand how to maintain their landscapes while using less water. The state waterSmart program was piloted in six communities in 2007 and went statewide through a partnership with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in 2008.
Become a waterSmart partner:
Water utility companies and local governments can join waterSmart at any time by contacting Deron Davis.
waterSmart in your community:
For more information on waterSmart in your community, contact your local cooperative extension office at 1-800-ASK-UGA1.
waterSmart tools:
- Homeowner workshop – designing and maintaining a waterSmart landscape.
- Drought in Georgia – a unit for sixth grade teachers.
- Brochures and flyers
- Audio and video public service announcements
- Tools for facilities managers – presentations from a workshop on water efficiency in campus landscapes and a video conference on drought survival strategies for plant operations and landscape and grounds managers at Georgia colleges and state universities.
Extension agents’ corner
Educational materials including display panels and presentations that UGA Cooperative Extension agents can use to educate the citizens in their communities.
Education Roundtable
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Noel Holcomb developed the Education Roundtable to encourage organizations throughout the state to work together to deliver coordinated environmental messages to Georgians by offering simple behaviors they can adopt to make positive changes. The Education Roundtable developed the tools of the waterSmart program.
The Education Roundtable participants and partners include:
- Albany Water, Gas and Light Commission
- Augusta Utilities Department
- Board of Regents
- Chattahoochee Nature Center
- Clean Water Campaign
- Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority
- Cobb County Water System
- Columbus Water Works
- Dalton Utilities
- Duffey Communications
- Elachee Nature Center
- Ewing Irrigation, Golf and Industrial Products
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- Flint Riverquarium
- Georgia Aquarium
- Georgia Association of Water Professionals
- Georgia Conservancy
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs
- Georgia Department of Education
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia Power
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission
- Georgia Public Broadcasting
- Georgia Water Wise Council
- Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers
- Macon Water Authority
- Stone Mountain Park
- SouthEast Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence
- University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
- Zoo Atlanta
The Education Roundtable receives financial support from:
- Georgia Association of Water Professionals
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs through a grant from the U.S.
- Environmental Protection Agency under provisions of Section 319 (h) of the Federal
- Clean Water Act of 1987, as amended.
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- Georgia Water Wise Council
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Georgia Power
- Cobb County Marietta Water Authority