The largest single source of water pollution in Georgia is erosion and sediment runoff from construction grading sites. Most of it is supposed to be kept on-site. You can learn how to know when stormwater runoff is being properly controlled on construction sites with a free program that is open for public participation.

Victor Johnson of the Broad River Watershed Association, Jason Ulseth of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and Jesslyn Shields of Georgia River Network will offer a citizen training program on how to help ensure that construction sites comply with the clean Water Act, and to prevent stormwater runoff and sedimentation from polluting our streams and rivers. This program is free and open to the public, and is being sponsored by the Madison County Industrial Development and Building Authority as part of its community outreach program.

The Get the dirt Out Program is designed to train citizens how to spot stormwater runoff problems on construction sites, how to report the problem to the proper government authority, and how to follow up to make sure the problems get fixed.

This program will last two hours and is free and open to the public. Each registered participant will receive a Get the Dirt Out manual. We will meet at 12:30 p.m. Sat., April 19 at the Saving Grace Cafe on Madison St. in Comer, next to the Comer Farmers' Market.

Pre-registration is recommended by noon, April 18. Please call the Madison County Industrial Authority at 706-795-3473 to register.