Sustainable Georgia Roundup

Water Heroes Honored: The Georgia Water Coalition, which is comprised of more than 250 business and natural resources organizations, has chosen its 2018 Clean 13 water heroes. These honorees were selected for their innovative and proactive efforts at restoring the health of the state’s waterways and protecting Georgia’s water for future generations. The Clean 13 list includes:

Riverview Farms, in Gordon County, for practices to protect the Coosawattee River;

Stripling Irrigation Research Park, in Camilla, for encouraging farmers to use efficient irrigation practices;

University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources for a dam modification to improve the habitat for fish species;

Jenna Jambeck, a UGA environmental engineering professor, for her research on plastic pollution in oceans;

Atlanta-based Interface for sustainable floor-covering manufacturing practices;

Southwire, in Carrollton, for rainwater collection and use in manufacturing;

State Rep. Jon Burns (R-Newington), for his work on legislation to protect Georgia’s natural resources, including the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act;

Brunswick’s Glynn Environmental Coalition for its cleanups at four Superfund sites to protect health, property and the environment;

Water utilities in Savannah, Augusta and Columbia County for supporting a study that will lead to restoration of the Savannah River’s health;

Clayton County Water Authority, in Jonesboro, for building a new sewage treatment plant to help restore the Flint River;

Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority, which has promoted water conservation among its customers and has improved water use efficiency;

Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, which has become a model for sustainable tourism;

Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint Stakeholders for providing guidance to end the tri-state water litigation.

According to the Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 report, those recognized “are setting new standards to protect, preserve and restore Georgia’s rivers, lakes, streams and coastal waters.”