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Volume. 10, Issue 6, Spring 2008
CCWA Bill Format Now More User Friendly
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eginning with April bills, Clayton County Water Authority
customers will see a more user-friendly bill format.
The bill has been redesigned so that billing information is
more spaced out and easier to read. Current and Past Due Charges
are more clearly marked and the payment coupon (that is returned
with your payment) is now at the top of the bill page.
The new format continues to show the water usage history to give
customers a quick overview of how their usage changes during the
year.
Additional Customer Service Improvements
Within the next two months, CCWA customers will be able to use
an Integrated Voice Response (IVR) System 24-hours a day to check
their account balance or pay their bill.
The system will also give callers information on payment options
and other frequently asked questions. This feature will be available
in English and Spanish.
A web-based billing inquiry system is also in the works. The new
system will be rolled out to customers later this year, giving them
the opportunity to view their account history and current balance
through the Authority’s web site (www.ccwa.us).
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Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty Day:
Saturday, April 26
The Clayton County Water Authority and Keep Clayton County Beautiful are hosting an Amnesty Day for household
hazardous waste on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m.—2 p.m. at the Pipe Yard at 1380 Government Circle in
Jonesboro (Near Rum Creek Park). This program offers Clayton County citizens the opportunity to properly dispose
of household hazardous waste without a fee. Participants dropping off items will need to show proof of residency
(such as their driver’s license or water bill).
The following items will be accepted:
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Latex Paint, Oil Paint
Bleaches and Chlorine
Pesticides & Herbicides
Solvents
Automotive and Household Batteries
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Motor Oil & Antifreeze
Aerosols
Fluorescent tubes
Non-hazardous wastes such as cleaners,
polishers and cosmetics
For more information, visit www.ccwa.us or call 770.473.5996.
Rex Mill Middle School
Student Wins Clean Essay
Contest
Lindsey Perry, a 7th grade student at Rex Mill Middle
School, is the Clayton County winner in the sixth annual
water
conservation
and
water
quality
essay
contest,
sponsored by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water
Planning District. She received a plaque and $25 for her
winning essay. Lindsey is shown with RMMS
Principal Susan Patrick, CCWA General Manager
Mike Thomas, Clayton County District 1 Commissioner Sonna Singleton and Science Teacher Sonya
Terrell.
Visit Newman Wetlands
Center For
Educational Fun
The Newman Wetlands Center trail and picnic areas are
open year round and offer residents the chance to enjoy
nature while learning the importance of preserving
wetlands environments and conserving natural resources.
As you walk along the 1/2 mile the wetlands trails, you
might see some of the many wildlife species that either
stop over during migration or take advantage of this
habitat for nesting or permanent residence. The trail is
wheelchair and stroller accessible.
In addition to over 130 bird species, beaver, river otter,
fox, raccoon, muskrat, deer, wild turkey, opossum, mink,
and many species of reptiles, insects, and amphibians
have been seen along the trail.
2755 Freeman Road, Hampton 30228
770.603.5603, or http://www.ccwa.us
Trail Hours: Monday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Interpretive Center Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CCPS Baccalaureate Students
Learn about water
reclamation processes
Students in Lovejoy and North Clayton High Schools’
International Baccalaureate Programs are working on
Science Projects that focus on the Water Authority’s treatment processes and use of constructed wetlands.
The Lovejoy students recently toured the Shoal Creek
Water Reclamation
Facility and the Panhandle Constructed
Wetlands to see the
process up close.
Shown in the photo,
a Lovejoy High
School student tests a
sample of water for
Ortho Phosphorous in the Shoal Creek WRF Lab with
Water Reclamation Manager Jim Poff.
CCWA Fishing Reservoirs
Open For 2008 Season
There’s no need to leave Clayton County to find great
fishing or a quiet place to enjoy a picnic.
The Shamrock/Blalock Reservoir Area and J.W. Smith
Reservoir Area are open for the 2008 season, offering
visitors a beautiful setting for fishing, canoeing and
picnics.
Only boats powered by electric motors or paddles are
allowed in reservoirs. For more information, call
770.603.5605 or visit http://www.ccwa.us/fishing.
Shamrock/Blalock Reservoirs
2610 Shamrock Road, Jonesboro 30236
Wednesday - Sunday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
J.W. Smith Reservoir
143 North Bridge Road, Hampton, GA 30228
Saturday - Wednesday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
$5 per vehicle or $25 for season pass
CCWA Begins 4-Year
Automated Meter Reading Conversion Program
The Clayton County Water Authority is beginning a four-year program to upgrade all water meters in the system by replacing
older meters and converting all meters to automated meter reading (AMR) technology. The $10 million program will significantly improve the CCWA’s meter reading accuracy and reduce unaccounted for water loss.
“We will replace all residential meters that are 15 years old or older,” says CCWA Deputy Manager Mike Bennett. “We actually have a lot of original water meters in service that are almost 40 years old. Replacing these with modern meters will allow
us to get more accurate usage readings and really help us reduce our unaccounted for water loss.”
Old water meters often do not record water usage accurately. Since the
old meters often under record usage, some customers have been being
under-billed for their usage. They may see a higher bill with the
installation of a new meter.
According to Bennett, the goal is to install approximately 250 individual
AMR systems each week or approximately 13,000 annually. In addition, the
Authority is combining this installation project with the residential backflow
cartridge replacement project that is required every five years for these
meter systems.
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires installation of an approved backflow prevention assembly at the water service connection to avoid the risk
Shown in the photo above, one of the new
of cross connections, which could contaminate your drinking water. Water
Badger Meters with an Orion AMR device.
normally flows in one direction, from the water system through the customer’s faucets. Under certain conditions water can flow in the reverse direction creating what is known as backflow. Backflow
occurs when the water in your pipes (the pipes after the meter) goes backward (the opposite direction from its normal flow).
This causes backpressure, where the pressure in your pipes is greater than the pressure coming in or, backsiphonage, which is
a negative pressure in one of the pipes.
Work will begin on the AMR Conversion Project in May and will be done by uniformed CCWA personnel Monday - Friday
between the hours of 8 - 5 p.m. Door hangers will be used to notify customers of upcoming work on their meter. This work
will be done by CCWA staff and temporary employees instead of utilizing the services of an outside contractor. This is saving
the Authority approximately $585,000 in contractor fees.
Look for more information on this project in your summer newsletter.
Outdoor Water Saving Tips
Raise your mower blade at least 3 inches. A lawn cut higher encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root
system and holds soil moisture better than closely clipped lawns.
Insulate your water pipes. You will get hot water faster and avoid wasting water.
Mulch to retain soil moisture and control weeds.
Plant native and/or drought tolerant plants. Group plants together based on similar water needs.
Minimize the grass areas in your lawn because less grass means less water.
While watering plants, aim the hose nozzle at the base of the plant to maximize delivery of water to the root system
and minimize evaporative losses.
Check all hoses, connectors and spigots regularly. Replace or add washers if you find leaks.
If you have a pool, use a cover to reduce water loss due to normal evaporation.
Repair any swimming pool leaks. An inch-a-day leak in a 15 X 30 foot pool can waste approximately 102,000 gallons
per year.
CCWA Customer Connection
Water, Sewer or Stormwater Question?
Contact the CCWA Call Center at 770.961.2130
CCWA Web Site
Log on to http://www.ccwa.us to stay up-to-date
on what is happening at the Authority.
You will find information on:
• Current Drought Restrictions
• Payment Options
• Toilet Rebate Program
• On-Line Bill Pay
• Vendor Registration
• Do-It-Yourself Water Assessment
• Community Use Buildings
• Water Quality Reports
• Toilet Rebate Program
• Newman Wetlands Center
• Recreation Areas
• Community Use Buildings
Convenient Payment Options
By Mail
1600 Battle Creek Road • Morrow, GA 30260
By Phone
1.800.584.1227
Drop Boxes
CCWA Headquarters
1600 Battle Creek Rd, Morrow
Satellite Office
526 Forest Pkwy, Suite A, Forest Park
Hicks Water Production Plant
1693 Freeman Rd, Jonesboro
Mark Your Calendar
Riverdale City Hall
6690 Church Street, Riverdale
CCWA Business Opportunities
2nd Monday of each Month
CCWA Headquarters
1600 Battle Creek Road, Morrow
2 p.m.
The Clayton County Water Authority holds a
Business Opportunity Meeting each month to give
companies the chance to learn about current and
future business opportunities. For information,
call 770.960.5213.
Pay In Person
CCWA Headquarters
1600 Battle Creek Rd, Morrow
Satellite Office
526 Forest Pkwy, Suite A, Forest Park
For Customer Service, call 770.961.2130.
Clayton County Water Authority · 1600 Battle Creek Road · Morrow, GA 30260
770.961.2130 · www.ccwa.us
CCWA Board of Directors:
Pete McQueen, Chairman · Lloyd Joiner, Vice Chairman · Marie Barber, Secretary/Treasurer
Wes Greene, John Westervelt, John Chafin and Doug Bonner
General Manager P. Michael Thomas · Deputy Manager Malachi “Mike” C. Bennett, III