(Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 22, 2017) – Commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement with CH2M Hill Engineers Inc. for the purpose of conducting a Global Cities Team Challenge: Smart Cities Pilot Project. A team of consultants and technology companies invited the Department of Water Resources to participate in the challenge, which looks at groundbreaking applications of internet technology (the “internet of things”) across a number of industrial sectors, including water.

Smart meters – meters connected to the internet – are emerging technology, and the pilot project will allow DWR to evaluate how this technology can be employed to not only provide enhanced service to customers, but also allow DWR to continue being a good steward of the environment and plan for the future.

Smart meter technology tracks water as it moves through the system, allowing utilities to find even small leaks in the system and prevent loss of water. As part of this pilot project, DWR will test different types of smart meters for reliability and accuracy.

During the technology test, the data from the Smart Cities Pilot Project may allow customers in the pilot study the ability to see their water use in real time, helping them manage their use and identify leaks or running toilets at their homes,” said Rick Reagan, Deputy Director of Business Services. “This can help the customer save money as well as conserve water.”

The data will also allow DWR to find even small leaks in the system and prevent loss of water. When compared with some other areas of the country, Gwinnett County has a young water distribution system and water loss from leaks is very small. As the system ages, water leaks could increase.  Smart meter technology is a proactive way to prepare for the future.

There is no capital investment for the County, and no obligation for further implementation at the end of the pilot project. Pilot project partners include AT&T (wireless connectivity), QualComm (communication chips in meters) and CH2M (project management).

DWR is in the process of identifying neighborhoods where the pilot could be conducted.

(Berkeley Lake, Ga., Feb. 22, 2017) – Quince Girl EXPO will be held on Saturday, Mar. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center. Party planning professionals are invited to feature interactive demonstrations, fashion shows and share ideas on planning the perfect Quinceañera celebration! The event is free for attendees and will feature do-it-yourself workshops.

In order for this expo to stand out from the rest, the number of exhibitors in each category will be limited. Interested exhibitors and demonstrators are encouraged to reserve space early by calling 678-277-0920 or visit the website for information on the event www.gwinnettparks.com. Pinckneyville Park Community Recreation Center is located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in Berkeley Lake.

WHAT: The Gwinnett Department of Transportation is launching the first of a series of public meetings about the Comprehensive Transportation Plan that will direct transportation investment through 2040. The County is updating its Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which will serve as a blueprint for how transportation will develop in Gwinnett.

WHY:   In 2016, the County and its consultants solicited input from public meetings, stakeholder interviews, online surveys and community meetings. With the community’s guidance, they have created goals and identified potential projects and investments. Now, they want community feedback to see if they’re on the right track.

At the meetings, attendees can pick up a “passport” to visit various stations to learn about possible transportation options in their area and countywide, and offer comments.

More information about the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, called Destination2040, can be found at www.Destination2040Gwinnett.com.

WHEN:  The meetings kick off Monday,Feb. 27 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lilburn City Hall Community Room, 340 Main Street, Lilburn. Additional meetings will be held on the following dates: March 16 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dacula Park Community Room, 2735 Old  Auburn Avenue, Dacula; March 18 – 10 a.m. to noon, Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth;  and March 20 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., George Pierce Park Community Room, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.

WHAT: Join the Gwinnett Parks Foundation in beautifying Gwinnett's parks in a rewarding opportunity to serve with other volunteers in this rain or shine event. Families, service organizations, and scout groups welcome. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes and a water bottle. 

WHEN: Saturday, March 4 at 9 a.m.  

WHO: General public.

WHERE:  Graves Park
1540 Graves Road
Norcross, Ga. 30093

WHAT:  An incomplete advisory was sent out Friday about upcoming meetings to solicit public input about the Comprehensive Transportation Plan. A full listing is below.

The Gwinnett Department of Transportation is launching the first of a series of public meetings about the Comprehensive Transportation Plan that will direct transportation investment through 2040. The County is updating its Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which will serve as a blueprint for how transportation will develop in Gwinnett.

WHY:   In 2016, the County and its consultants solicited input from public meetings, stakeholder interviews, online surveys and community meetings. With the community’s guidance, they have created goals and identified potential projects and investments. Now, they want community feedback to see if they’re on the right track.

At the meetings, attendees can pick up a “passport” to visit various stations to learn about possible transportation options in their area and countywide, and offer comments.

More information about the Comprehensive Transportation Plan, called Destination2040, can be found at www.Destination2040Gwinnett.com.

WHEN:  Meetings will be held on the following dates: March 2 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Snellville City Hall Community Room, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville; March 6 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Gwinnett  Justice and Administration Center, Conference Room C, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville; March 16 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dacula Park Community Room, 2735 Old  Auburn Avenue, Dacula; March 18 – 10 a.m. to noon, Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth;  March 20 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., George Pierce Park Community Room, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 3, 2017) — Although there has been recent rainfall, Gwinnett County remains in the Level 2 Drought Response that was declared on Nov. 17, 2016.  Lake Lanier is a large reservoir, fed by smaller streams that have been slow to recover from the drought. As a result, Lake Lanier has been slow to refill and is currently 10 feet below full pool.

This means that even though the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) eased outdoor water use requirements in 86 counties, the Level 2 Drought Response will remain in place for the upper Chattahoochee River Basin.  This basin area contains most metropolitan Atlanta counties, including Gwinnett.

The Drought Response put in place a number of outdoor watering restrictions. Some outdoor water uses that are not allowed include washing streets, sidewalks and driveways; decorative uses, such as fountains and waterfalls; non-commercial pressure washing; fundraising car washes; and non-commercial washing of vehicles.

For planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, or shrubs, watering with an irrigation or sprinkler system is allowed on the following schedule:

• Even numbered addresses (those ending in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) and sites with no numbered address, may only water on Wednesday and Saturday, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
• Odd numbered addresses (those ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may only water on Thursday and Sunday, before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.

Additional information on restricted and allowed outdoor water use can be found at www.gwinnettH2O.com.

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (DWR) encourages residents to make water conservation a priority.  Individual actions can collectively add up to big water savings. Ways to save water include:

• Check and repair leaks inside and outside the home.
• Shorten showers and turn off water when shaving or brushing teeth.
• Fill dishwashers and washing machines, making sure there is a full load every time.
• Replace older toilets and shower heads with high efficiency models. If your home was built before 1993, you may qualify for a toilet rebate.
• Choose efficient appliances. Look for EPA WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labeled products when shopping for new appliances and fixtures.

DWR provides two kits to help residents conserve water.  Both kits are available upon request at the DWR Customer Care counter at 684 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Leak detection kits. Each kit contains toilet leak detection dye tablets, along with tips on locating and fixing minor leaks.
• Low-flow home retrofit kits. Each kit contains a low-flow showerhead, faucet aerators, and toilet leak detection dye tablets.

For more information, including conservation tips and frequently asked questions regarding watering restrictions, please visit www.gwinnettH2O.com.

The Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources is a publicly-owned utility committed to providing superior water, wastewater, and stormwater services at an excellent value to residents and businesses.   DWR is widely recognized for innovation and service excellence as well as stewardship of the environmental resources in Gwinnett County.   For more information, visit www.gwinnettH2O.com.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., March 7, 2017) – The Constitutional Officers of Gwinnett County, Sheriff Butch Conway, Clerk of Courts Richard Alexander and Tax Commissioner Richard Steele, in partnership with the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia, are pleased to announce a scholarship contest for Georgia high school seniors and current college undergraduates.

Each year, the Constitutional Officer’s Association of Georgia offers students a chance to win scholarships. This year, the association will offer three scholarships, one each in the amounts of $1,500, $1,000 and $500. To be eligible for this year’s scholarship, students must be residents of Georgia, graduate from high school by the spring of 2017 or be enrolled in an accredited Georgia college or university. Students must also seek a degree in a field related to government/law enforcement, political science, accounting, finance, business or pre-law.

To apply, applicants must select a constitutional office in Gwinnett County and type a 1,000-word essay that describes the mandated duties of that office and explains why the oath of office is important. Applicants will also need to provide a letter of acceptance or enrollment from an institution of higher education, a copy of a college application or transcript to provide verification of degree field and the COAG scholarship application.

All completed applications, documentation and completed essays should be mailed flat in a 9”x12” envelope to Suzanne Cross, COAG, P.O. Box 1644, Decatur, Ga, 30031, by April 1, 2017.

For more information or to download an application, visit http://www.coag.info/ or contact Suzanne Cross at (404) 377-1364 or coagoffice@bellsouth.net.