Farewell! Despedida! Adieu! Addio!

Farewell Everyone!

I am not going to lie my faithful bloggers, writing this blog has not been easy (I have avoided it for a week due to denial). I am here to say my final goodbyes as a Water Conservation Intern. Graduation is upon us.

Soon, I will be able to call myself a UGA ALUM. How crazy is that? Along with that title, I will take with me my time spent working as a Water Warrior. I can not thank the ACC Water Conservation Office enough for the experiences and the knowledge I have gained while working here. Marilyn, Laurie, Jackie, Nicki, Lauren, and Becky have been amazing and their work here in Athens has truly made a difference (my heart warms when I see the Conserve:Water U Waiting 4? bumper stickers).

I have been fortunate enough to attend and participate in many events with the Water Conservation Office.Within my first semester at the office I was even able to make a collection of short video clips for the Bob Snipes Water Resources Center with the help of Lily Anne Phibian. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QFIk2_UkyA) Looking back, it is difficult to choose just one event to be my favorite. In just this past year I was able to participate in the Ripple Effect Film Festival, the Athens Water Festival, Rivers Alive, the Christmas Parade and Float, and 2 Fix-A-Leak Weeks. Although these were the big names that are associated with the Water Conservation Office, the events and outreach programs done in the schools can not be overlooked! I will take with me all of the good memories I have of attending the Adopt-A-Class programs on Tuesday/Thursday mornings and being able to talk with students about the endless opportunities of jobs in water.

Working in water conservation, you can't help but find a new appreciation for water. I grew up a swimmer, lived on the Chattahoochee River, and loved all water related activities! I often took this precious resource for granted without realizing all the work and effort that goes behind the conservation and protection of our resource. I hope this blog is a weekly reminder of just how important water is and the responsibility associated with its protection. It is in EVERYTHING we do. Even in my favorite TV show!

Photo courtesy of www.quicklol.com

As my time ends, others begin. Keep reading and keep conserving! 

Sincerely,

Nicole Duffy-Intern

Water Resources Center

Stop 3. Water Resources Center

Our journey continues in search of buildings, businesses, and organizations that demonstrate water conservation methods in Athens-Clarke County.  The next stop is the Bob Snipes Water Resources Center (WRC) located off Barber Street (I'm sure you've seen it on your way to Terrapin :)  The WRC is a water and wastewater laboratory along with an educational facility.  It highlights 5 sustainable and water saving elements both within and around the building.  We will discuss each of these 5 elements over the next few blogs.

The first element is the actual building itself.  The WRC is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.  What exactly is LEED, you ask??  Well, LEED is an international green building certification program that ensures the entire lifecycle of a building is environmentally friendly.  

The WRC gained LEED status by:

• Installing WaterSense efficient plumbing fixtures to reduce water waste by 40%
• Recycling 75% of construction debris
• Designing the roof to minimize heat absorption and maximize energy efficiency
• Planting drought-tolerant plants to reduce water used by irrigation
• Including education in the design

WaterSense dual flush toilet meets EPA criteria

Construction of the Roof

Educational Displays in the Atrium






The benefits of the WRC as a LEED building include reduction in operating costs, reduction in construction waste sent to landfills, conservation of water and energy, providing healthier and safer environment for workers and visitors, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.  The public is welcome to visit the WRC Monday through Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm.

The Ripple is in Effect

Lights!  Camera!  Ripple!

Breaking News:  Independent filmmakers gathered at Athens own Ciné to strut the blue carpet, mingle with other local celebrities, and dine on delicious food from the Broad Street Coffee Vegan Restaurant.  After an hour of glamming it up, the sellout crowd moved into the theater for the debut of 17 incredible 30-second films, which had been submitted to the inaugural Ripple Effect Film Project.  Each film had a unique personality, but all had a focus on water conservation.  Audience members were asked to vote for their favorite shorts before viewing the EcoFocus’ Film Festival’s feature film, Last Call at the Oasis. 

Following the big picture of/for water conservation, the winners of the Ripple Effect were announced.  And the winners are… drum roll please….

Student Category

Best Conservation Message:  Hydrowoman Doesn't Exist, by Athens Academy, Global Challenges

Best Overall:  Get a Grip, Stop the Drip, by Tyler Ortel

Audience Choice Award:  Crazy Conservation, by Christian & Christie Marie Shupe (see the video below)

Adult Category

Best Production Quality:  Elio’s Big Splash, by Bryan Redding, Dan Jordan, and Ricardo, Tomas, & Elio Jiminez

Best Conservation Message:  Water is Life, by Lacey Avery

Best Overall:  Every Drop Counts, by Brody Bearden

Audience Choice Award:  Elio’s Big Splash, by Bryan Redding, Dan Jordan, and Ricardo, Tomas, & Elio Jiminez (see the video below!)

Thank you to all of the talented people involved in this project.  Plans for making the other videos available are in the works.  Check back on www.thinkatthesink.com or "like" the Water Conservation Office-Athens Clarke County on Facebook for updates.