What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is rain and snow melt that runs off surfaces such as rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. As water runs off these surfaces, it can pick up pollutions such as: oil, fertilizers, pedsticides, soil, trash and animal waste and could flow directly into local streams or lakes. If not addressed, these problems could result in increased water treatment costs, federal government mandated restoration and a decrease in the quality of our environment.
That's where the Stormwater Department steps in by providing the following for City of Conyers residents:
- Stormwater management
- Environmental ordinance support
- Public environmental education
- Public participation and involvement
- Compliance with federal, state, county and city regulations, codes and ordinances
Stormwater: Affects on Our Area
All of the flowing water in our nation runs into or out of a river basin before reeaching a lake, reservoir or ocean. River basins are typically very large in area and so are further split into watersheds in much the same way a state is split into counties. Although some of the water in these waterways originates from underground springs, most of it is created by rain or stormwater.
The state of Georgia is made up of 14 river basics which are further divided into 52 watershed areas. Rockdale County is situated at the north end of the Upper Ocmulgee River Basin and has five main watersheds: the South River, Honey Creek, Snapping Shoals, Yellow River and Big Haynes Creek.
Stormwater run-off from the City of Conyers flows in four main directions:
- Northeast into the Yellow River via Boar Tusk branch
- East into the Yellow River via Quigg Branch
- Southeast into South River via Snapping Shoals Creek
- Southwest into South River via Tanyard Branch
The largest percentage of the stormwater leaving the City of Conyers ends up in Jackson Lake.
What Can You Do?
Try to lead by example. Pick up litter and place it in a trash can. Be a pollution stopper! Talk to people about our bad habits and try to explain how easy it is to become part of the solution and a City of Conyers environmental partner. Email us with any pollution issues you see in community.
Frequently Asked Stormwater Questions
How is the stormwater fee calculated?
The property or land area is first identified as to use. The rates are fixed for all use types with the exception of residential which is further broken down into different rates for multi-family, low/medium density and high density.
Stormwater Fee Rates
|Low/Medium Density Residential||$39.95||Parcel|
|High Density Residential||$14.10||Parcel|
|City of Conyers Owned Property||$156.38||Acre|
|Georgia International Horse Park||$24.60||Acre|
How do I pay?
You probably already have. There is a line item for 'Stormwater Fee' on your property tax statement. If you are a city resident, then you are helping resolve the situation.
What is the money used for?
All of the stromwater fee revenue goes toward the administration and implementation of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) adopted by the City of Conyers. Examples of this are: city storm sewer infrastructure repair costs; water direction and re-direction improvements along main roads and subdivisions; upgrading and modernization projects; restoration of already impaired or polluted waterways; and others.
Why will the city not come and fix my backyard?
The city can only repair or restore property which belongs to the city. It would not be feasible or prudent to use tax payers' money to improve private property.
Why can I not put water-based paints and similar liquids down the drain?
Even water-based chemicals and products like paints and thinner solvents reduce the amount of natural oxygen in our water. Vegetation, fish, birds and other forms of life rely on that oxygen level for survival. It is also costly to remove these toxins from the water.
I have some used motor oil and paint thinner in my garage. How do I safely dispose of these materials?
Wait for the Rockdale County Hazardous Waste Day and take it to them. For more information, visit www.rockdalecounty.org or call 770-278-7000 or the Rockdale County Reycling Center at 770-785-6838.
I live in Rockdale County but not in the city...who should I talk to about environmental or stormwater related issues?
Call Rockdale County at 770-278-7100.
Are you concerned about water usage at your house? Is your home as water-efficient as it can be?
The Household Water Audit [PDF] by the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District can help.