The city of Gainesville's Water Resource Department and the Hall County Public Works and Utilities Department have received a state award for technical innovation for the bandalong litter trap in the often-polluted Flat Creek.
The American Public Works Association Georgia Chapter Technical Innovation of the Year Award was presented to the director of the county works and utilities department Ken Rearden at the Hall County Commission meeting Thursday evening.
The award was presented by the Chairman of the Georgia Chapter's Awards Committee Stan Brown who said the goal of the award is to recognize outstanding work in the field of public works and utilities.
"As you all know, police, fire, sheriffs, those are all important services but without our public works, those services don't happen. You've got to have the roads cleared, you've got to be able to get from here to there, so we think it's important to give some recognition to those folks as well," Brown said.
Brown, who is also the Oakwood City Manager, said the chapter received 36 entries for the award across the state. He said the bandalong trap is getting recognition across Georgia
"The bandalong litter trap project has set the standard for using collaboration, partnerships and innovation to deliver results," Brown said. "I will tell you, traveling around the state as we're doing these awards and interacting with other public works professionals, people know about this project."
The trap, which was installed late last year, was an attempt to clean up one of the most polluted tributaries to Lake Lanier. Brown said the trap picked up more than it's fair share of trash in the creek.
"It's in the thousands of pounds," Brown said.
District 2 Commissioner Billy Powell also said a shore pickup at the creek last year netted multiple barges full of plastic trash along the banks of the river as well. Commission Chairman Richard Mecum said he's been pleased the the trap's effectiveness, but added that the amounts of trash being collected should raise concerns.
"It's a good thing, but it's also a sad commentary on our society," Mecum said. "That's just one creek."
The award is in it's second year and Brown said he hopes to see more entries from the County in the coming years.
