Clairmont Heights Civic Association

Last Saturday (June 28) at the DeKalb Technical College in Clarkston, the county held its second annual Stormwater Management Symposium. There were displays and/or presentations from the county, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Nature Conservancy, the Chattahoochee River Keeper, and others.

One of the themes, of course, was water conservation for the average property owner. Our neighbor and county greenspace director Dave Butler gave one of the presentations on this topic together with Katherine Lewis and Charles Absher of the engineering firm Jorden, Jones & Goulding. They gave an overview on our multi-dimensional water problems (drought, pollution, and flooding) and specific solutions within our control, such as xeriscaping (landscaping with drought resistant plants); low-flow fixtures; rain gardens, rain barrels and tree plantings to catch rainfall; and use of porous pavement on driveways. See the attached powerpoint presentations by Lewis (Stormwater 101) and Absher (Residential Stormwater Management). See also this powerpoint for an overview from the State of Georgia.

The county is offering a Rain Barrel workshop on July 17, 6-7:30 p.m. at the South DeKalb Senior Center, 931 Candler Rd, Decatur, GA 30032. Call 770-455-7602. There will be info on xeriscaping, soil testing, soil nutrition, instruction on rain barrel maintenance and use of ‘grey’ water. The workshop is open only to first 50 county residents that pre-register by July 5. The cost is $65, including a rain barrel. email:kdb@co.dekalb.ga.us. Send checks to: Keep DeKalb Beautiful, 3643 Camp Circle, Bldg A, Decatur, GA 30032. Did you know that in one year, an average –sized (1200 sq ft) roof sheds 25,000-35,000 gallons? Rainfall of only .3” will fill a typical 55-gallon rain barrel at each of the four corners. From May 1 to September 30, average roof will fill four barrels about 15 times.

There were presentations that also addressed the issue more broadly. The flooding in our watershed -- that of South Peachtree Creek -- for example, is due to the lack of stormwater controls installed when our area was developed. Rainfall hits the roofs, driveways, streets, and parking lots and goes directly into the creek without being detained or re-directed to allow infiltration into the soil. Belatedly, after most of our area was developed, the county adopted some more realistic floodplain and stormwater ordinances, including a stormwater utility with progressive pricing. However, it is unlikely that the neighborhoods and commercial districts will take significant action without mandates and/or concerted action organized across county districts. The USACE indicated that they have tools to help bring stakeholders together to envision such a goal and, in addition, they will be completing a report with recommendations on “Ecosystem Restoration” for our watershed in about six months. The CHCA board will contact them for a copy.