About Us

Stormwater: The Natural Flow

Water areas in the United States are known as river basins and all of the flowing water in our nation runs into or out of a river basin before reaching 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 basins 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:

1. Northeast into the Yellow River via Boar Tusk branch
2. East into the Yellow River via Quigg Branch
3. Southeast into South River via Snapping Shoals Creek
4. Southwest into South River via Tanyard Branch

The largest percentage of the stormwater leaving the City of Conyers ends up in Lake Jackson.

10 Ways You Can Protect the Environment

1. Never dump anything down a storm drain or drainage ditch.

2. Do not litter. Place all trash in a recognized dumpster or trash can. Do not throw trash from your vehicle - put it in a bag and take it home.

3. Do not dump motor oil, greases, cooking fat, paints or any chemicals by pouring them onto the ground, into the outside drain, or down the household sink.

4. Use the Rockdale County Transfer Station on Sigman Road to dispose of your newspapers, plastics and household items not collected by your sanitation department.

5. Use fertilizer and pesticides only when needed and in the correct amounts. Read the manufacturer's label for correct use.

6. If you wash your vehicle at home, do so on the lawn rather than on the pavement or roadway.

7. Clean up your yard and grass clippings. Do not leave them lying on the ground for the rain to wash them into the storm sewer system.

8. Pick up litter as you go about your normal lives. People will see you leading by example and copy you.

9. Do not plant anything in your rain water gulley or swales. They need to be free of obstruction to drain properly. Clean out any drainage pipes on your property and keep them free of obstruction.

10. Pass this list on to your friends, family and neighbors. Try and impress upon them the need to conserve and protect our water supply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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. Click here for stormwater fee rates.

How do I pay?

You probably already have. There is a line item 'Stormwater Fee' on your property tax statement. If you are a city resident, then you are helping to resolve the situation.

What is the money used for?

All of the Stormwater Fee revenue goes towards 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 & 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 back yard?

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 other 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 their website: www.rockdalecounty.org or call (770) 929-4000.

When are you going to fix the problems in my area?

Click here to review the list of 31 projects that we are working on. These are the first areas which present safety and health problems and affect the largest group of residents. We will publish more information on which areas form part of the second group soon.

I live in Rockdale County but not in the city… Who should I talk to about environmental or stormwater related issues?

Call Rockdale County and speak to either Rusty Hazelton on environmental issues or Bob Taylor on stormwater issues.

Stormwater Fee Rates for Fiscal Year 2003/2004

Available Information

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