The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has spent $4 million to replace equipment damaged by disposable wipes flushed down toilets. Now, DWM has launched its “No Wipes in Pipes” campaign to educate citizens on the negative impact that disposable wipes have on Atlanta’s waste treatment and the importance of properly disposing of wipes. Municipalities all over the country are experiencing clogged pipes and costly repairs to wastewater infrastructure because of baby, household, and personal care wipes. “Clogged pipes can lead to sewage spills in our creeks, streams and Atlanta’s sole water resource – the Chattahoochee River,” said Commissioner Jo Ann Macrina. “We’re begging residents to properly dispose of wipes, not only to help maintain our water and sewer rates, but also to ensure that we protect the environment as water stewards.” Although some wipes are marked as “flushable,” many are not biodegradable and ultimately end up in landfills once they are removed from the sewer system.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report shows that Atlanta Public Schools’ fourth and eighth grade student results on the 2015 assessments are slightly below the district’s 2013 performance levels, which are consistent with state and national trends. Results show APS maintaining steady overall growth in math and reading compared to all participating Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) school districts in the U.S. TUDA is a special assessment group of 21 school districts in large metropolitan areas. Measuring growth since 2003, the year this assessment group was formed, APS students posted the highest eighth grade Mathematics accumulated point growth among these districts with 22 points. “While APS’ progress over time is encouraging, the 2015 NAEP results are an important reminder of the work that lies ahead of us,” said Superintendent Meria Carstarphen. “As we focus on ensuring that our students graduate from APS prepared for college and careers, we know that it is critical that they meet the rigorous expectations that are being measured nationally and in Georgia. We must continue to invest in curricular resources and professional development to ensure that our teachers have the support to deliver the high quality instruction our students need to succeed.”
The new Walmart store at renovated Suburban Plaza in Decatur is moving closer to opening with shelves being stocked in preparation for its grand opening. The approximately 150,000 square-foot store, located at 2525 N. Decatur Road, will include a full line of groceries and a wide assortment of merchandise. “We’re just about ready – stocking the shelves and preparing to open our doors,” said store manager Marita Edwards. “We’re gearing up to make a difference in our store and in the Decatur community.”