WaterFirst

Please note that as of JULY 1, 2018, administration of the WaterFirst program has moved to GEFA. 

The new WaterFirst website may be found at on the GEFA WaterFirst Program page. The DCA WaterFirst web page will remain active during the transition, but will cease to exist in the near future. As a WaterFirst Community, a municipality is eligible for financial and other benefits from the state. Becoming a WaterFirst community demonstrates a local government's commitment to responsible water stewardship for environmental and economic benefits today and in the future.

WaterFirst is:

• A voluntary partnership between local governments, state agencies and other organizations working together to increase the quality of life in communities through the wise management and protection of water resources
• Thinking beyond political boundaries, recognizing the inextricable links created by shared water resources, and considering the watershed as a whole
• Pursuing and rewarding environmental excellence beyond what is required by law in the management and protection of water resources
• An important step that communities can take to protect valuable water resources for both environmental and economic benefits today and tomorrow.

PEM staff will determine a community's readiness for an on-site review; either through the WaterFirst application or the WaterFirst class, and a team of water professionals will audit the local government’s pertinent programs.  If the review team gives a passing grade, the Department will designate the community.  At that time the designated community is eligible for the following benefits:

• State-wide recognition for environmental stewardship.
• An interest rate reduction on loans made from GEFA's Georgia Fund.
• Eligibility for annual applications to the Community Development Block Grant fund for water-related projects.
• Priority for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources 319 Grant Program.