Georgia's Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Makes Storm Drains Its Focus for Great Days of Service

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Oct. 10, 2025 - PRLog -- As part of one of the Southeast's largest volunteer days of service, Metro Atlanta-based Keep America Beautiful affiliate – Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful (GC&B) – aims its focus on local waterways. Great Days of Service mobilizes individuals, corporations, churches, schools, civic organizations, and communities to engage in meaningful volunteer service to address the county's most crucial needs. For its Gwinnett Great Days of Service initiative, the Lawrenceville-based, eco-focused nonprofit is inviting local citizens to join the Stormwater Protectors program for the weekend of October 17-19, 2025. Managed by GC&B and Gwinnett Water Resources, the program helps stop pollution – such as oil, fertilizers, insecticides, pet waste, toxic chemicals, and litter – from entering area rivers and streams.

"Storm drains are designed to prevent flooding by carrying rainwater from our streets to streams and rivers," explained Garret Dufty, Environmental Outreach Coordinator for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. "Storm drains can get clogged with leaves, grass, and other landscaping debris, causing potential flooding. Other types of litter can also enter storm drains, including car-washing soap, plastics, pet waste, and motor oil. These pollutants will eventually end up in our streams and rivers, damaging our local ecosystem. Search your neighborhood and community for storm drains that need to be marked and submit a form for project approval."

Participation in the program involves placement of special medallions on storm drains that read "No Dumping – Only Rain in the Drain." Volunteers will also hand out educational flyers to inform community members what does and does not belong in local drains and why. This is a self-led volunteer event. Equipment, materials, and waivers will be available for pickup at Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful's office – located at 446 W. Crogan Street, Ste. 430 in Lawrenceville – in the days leading up to October 17.

"This three-day event offers a great way for companies, churches, civic groups, municipalities, and neighborhoods to protect our waterways for future generations," said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. "By dedicating just a few hours of your time, you'll help raise awareness, educate your neighbors, and take meaningful action to make our community a cleaner and more beautiful place. As an added bonus, for households that provide at least 4 hours of volunteer time to the Storm Drain Medallion Marking Program, they will be eligible to receive a credit of up to 5% on their stormwater service fees."

To register a site for the Stormwater Protectors/Great Days of Service event, participants are asked to visit: https://gwinnettcb.org/programs/stormwater-protectors/ and complete the form. All Gwinnett County volunteers are required to agree and complete the WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE form (https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/static/departments/employm...).