Water Awareness Program for Kids

On May 8 and 9, “My Neighbor the Operator,” a water awareness and conservation program for young students in Atlanta City Council District 1, will be held at the Neighborhood Charter School, 688 Grant Street.

The program, created and organized by Atlanta City Councilmember Carla Smith, in association with the Atlanta office of Brown and Caldwell, is intended to show the connection between water, quality of life and the services provided by City of Atlanta water and wastewater professionals.

Now in its third year of operation, “My Neighbor the Operator” is conducted in a designated Atlanta Public School each year with the intention of providing a focused and concentrated educational experience for students. This year, the program is expected to include approximately 35 Neighborhood Charter School students, according to the school’s Executive Director and Principal Margaret Jones.

“In 2006, we recognized that ‘My Neighbor the Operator’ offered the opportunity to bring an important message about water use and conservation to young students,” said Smith. “Having faced historic drought conditions in this region, it is important to continue to bring this message of appropriate water use, conservation and water treatment to children.”

Smith said due to the success of the program each year, there is potential for continued growth and expansion of “My Neighbor the Operator” in coming years.

The program includes two interactive components that take place over a two-day period, as well as a student art contest that includes prizes for winning entries. The day one component is conducted within the class room and students are introduced to the “cycle of water,” its source, how we use and conserve it, and the water and wastewater treatment process. On the second day, the students visit an Atlanta water or wastewater treatment plant, learn about water treatment operations, and meet “neighborhood” water treatment professionals.

The carefully orchestrated program also includes a tour of the plant, which helps the students understand the importance of water and the responsible use of this vital commodity.

In May of 2006 the program was launched at Benteen Elementary School. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin participated in the initial program and she has expressed strong, ongoing support for this innovative educational effort. The following year, the two-day program was conducted at John Wesley Dobbs Elementary School.

From the launch of the program, the Atlanta office of Brown and Caldwell has provided programming support for “My Neighbor the Operator.” Brown and Caldwell is a national, full-service Environmental Engineering and Consulting firm with 45 offices and more than 1,500 professionals throughout the country.