2026 WaterFirst Informational Workshop
When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Historic City Hall,
201 E Solomon Street,
Griffin, GA 30223
This workshop is intended for Georgia water utilities, municipalities, and local governments interested in obtaining a WaterFirst designation.
Cost: This workshop is offered at no cost to participants.
Lunch: Will be provided.
Who should attend: This workshop is designed for local government water, wastewater, and stormwater system managers, clerks, treasurers, elected officials, and others who are involved in applying for the WaterFirst designation.
How to Register: Use the registration window at the bottom of this page or visit our Eventbrite page to register.
AGENDA
Griffin’s Historic City Hall, built in 1910, has been awarded with the both the Marguerite Williams Award and an award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
10:00 – 10:30 – Welcome and Sign in
Opening Remarks - Judy Adler, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Welcome - Mayor Doug Hollberg, City of Griffin
10:30 – 11:00 am – Achieving WaterFirst Designation
Virginia Thom, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
11:00 – 11:15 am – Financial Benefits: Designee Case-Study
Stacey Isaac Berhazer, IB Environmental
11:30 – 12:15 pm – Panel: Perspectives from WaterFirst Designees
Brandon Lewis, City of Griffin
Chrissy Rubel, Gwinnett County Government Department Water Resources
Pam Schalk, City of Thomasville
12:15 – 1:00 pm – Networking Lunch
1:00 - 2:30 pm – Afternoon Activity
Participants are invited to choose one of the two below activities!
Tour of the Harry Simmons Water Treatment Plant, which was constructed in 1929 for the treatment of drinking water in the Griffin area
Tour of Downtown Griffin focusing on the City’s upcoming infrastructure renewal project which includes infrastructure renewal for water and stormwater systems to support the City’s downtown revitalization efforts
2:45 – 3:30 pm – Green Infrastructure
Elizabeth Jurado, IB Environmental
Cory Rayburn, Jacobs
Kelly Prescott, Henry County Water Authority