Students Find Ways to Connect with Water

The waterways responsible for Athens-Clarke County’s drinking water are littered with pollutants. A 75-foot development buffer intends to prevent contaminants from leaching into streams, but it might actually be increasing pollution, according to local advocates. Water Conservation Coordinator Laurel Loftin said ACC government has implemented a buffer between any waterway and commercial businesses, preventing any establishment from being built right next to the water.

This restriction is good in theory, but it prevents the locals from finding ways to connect with the water. People have a harder time seeing the water, and ultimately don’t see where their litter ends up. Trails, parks, and bridges help create connections between the North Oconee River and nearby residents, but can only do so much.

Pictures:

Blaine Alligood, a senior at UGA, eats his breakfast on a bench on the North Oconee Greenway on the morning of October 7, 2020. This is one of the closest areas that has been established near the North Oconee River, but still has a buffer between the water and the path.

Alligood: blaine.alligood@uga.edu

Alligood enjoys a bagel from Athens Bagel Company before class on October 7, 2020. Alligood explains his enjoyment of eating near the park in the morning where it is peaceful and allows him to escape from his college schedule.

Alligood: (478)412–1115

Amanda Britton, a third-year senior at UGA, prepares for a night run on a bridge suspended over the North Oconee River on October 8, 2020. Britton choses to run this path as it gives her an escape from the hectic downtown scene.

Britton: (770)316–4954

Britton runs three miles to wind down her day on October 8, 2020. Britton claims that running allows her to escape from her college life and the path next to the North Oconee River provides ideal scenery for her escape.

Britton: akb68108@uga.edu

The buffer between the North Oconee River and residential student living, Waterford, seen by the wall of trees. The waterway can be seen poking through the treeline on October 22, 2020

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The North Oconee River runs through downtown Athens and is surrounded by apartment complexes, such as the Mark and Whistlebury Properties. One way to allow students to connect with the waterway is a bridge behind the Mark.