Clayton County and the Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) received its WaterFirst designation on April 1, 2021, during the CCWA board meeting.

WaterFirst Communities are committed to excellence in watershed assessment, stormwater master planning, wastewater treatment and management, water supply planning and protection, water conservation, water reclamation and reuse, educational outreach, and regional planning.

Receiving this designation demonstrates a commitment to the stewardship of water resources for environmental and economic benefits. Clayton County and CCWA’s notable accomplishments include:

  • Clayton County and the CCWA have zoning controls in place to protect water resources such as buffer requirements that exceed the minimum state requirements.
  • The CCWA has extensive community outreach programs about the importance of water resources, water quality, water conservation, and water supply.
  • The CCWA is in the planning process for building a larger pelletizing facility that will be able to process biosolids from all its wastewater facilities.
  • Clayton County’s Office of Resiliency and Sustainability is implementing a proactive approach to hazard mitigation and floodplain protection.
  • The CCWA has financial discount programs for customers experiencing hardships or customers that are veterans or senior citizens.

WaterFirst Communities are eligible for financial and other benefits from the state, including a 1% interest rate reduction on Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loans, annual eligibility for water-related Community Development Block Grants administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and priority status for the 319(h) Grant Program administered by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

For more information about the WaterFirst Program, visit gefa.georgia.gov/waterfirst.