Rainwater Conference Set For Decatur

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), a non-profit educational organization with nearly 600 members across the world, will hold its national conference and membership meeting in Decatur, Georgia this September.

Decatur was selected as the conference location for numerous reasons: growth in membership in the southeastern states due to drought; the city’s green initiatives; easy access to and from the Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport; and a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for shopping and dining.

Decatur resident and ARCSA accredited professional Russ Jackson of the Jackson Company, is conference co-chair. “Decatur is the place where the sort of innovation we practice in the rainwater industry thrives,” he said. “I am confident that the conference will be well-attended by everyone from homeowners and builders, to city officials and planners, partly due to our content, and partly due to the great location of the conference.”

The events begin on Saturday, Sept. 12 with a pre-conference workshop on the basics of installing and maintaining rainwater harvesting systems. The workshop is for beginners and for ARCSA members seeking accreditation. On Sunday, Sept. 13, workshop participants will receive hands-on training by installing a rainwater harvesting system on the City of Decatur’s Recreation Center.

A free open house for the general public will also be held on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Holiday Inn Conference Plaza in Decatur, the venue for the conference. Doug Pushard, ARCSA board member and conference co-chair from Santa Fe, New Mexico, said,” The open house will feature presentations from University of Georgia faculty and leading vendors in the industry, and a tour of the system being installed on the Recreation Center. The idea is to educate and excite. We want everyone to know rainwater harvesting is easy, cost-effective, and it can be attractive.”

The conference program, which will feature recognized water conservation leaders and rainwater harvesting experts from across the country, runs Monday, Sept. 14 through Wednesday, Sept. 16.

“People in the Atlanta area, whether they’re do-it-yourselfers or professional landscapers, should attend this conference because water conservation is very near and dear to our hearts with the ongoing drought,” Jackson said. “Rainwater harvesting is one step Georgians can take to ensure future generations will have enough water.”

For more information on ARCSA, visit www.ARCSA.org