HCWA celebrates graduates of its fifth annual Citizen Academy

Customers get a closer look at the utility’s facilities, operations, and water professionals

The Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) celebrated the graduates of its fifth annual Citizen Academy, as 15 customers completed the program to learn more about their water utility’s water, wastewater, and related services.
This year’s HCWA Citizen Academy schedule included three Saturdays of VIP tours at a different facility each day, in addition to insights provided by the Authority’s staff responsible for operations at those respective sites.
“We had another great class of citizens this year who were fully engaged in learning all about what we do at the Water Authority,” says Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator, who organized the event.  “This is a great way to bring the community together for education and fellowship.”
First up was a tour of the HCWA Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant coupled with a discussion of the day’s topic: “Where does my water come from?” The Tussahaw Plant was selected this spring as the Best Operated Water Plant of its kind in the state by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP). Since opening in 2007, it has a drinking water production capacity of 16 million gallons per day (MGD).
“I saw an insert in my water bill (about the Citizen Academy) and thought it’d be interesting to see where my water comes from,” says Patrick Scott, one of this year’s Citizen Academy graduates. “I found it very enlightening.”
The second Saturday of the 2026 HCWA Citizen Academy featured a tour of the award-winning Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility, which included the discussion topic: “HCWA Planning and Operations.” The Walnut Creek Plant has been expanded from 8 MGD of wastewater treatment capacity to 14 MGD, with the official opening of the newly upgraded facility set for later this year.
Finally, the HCWA Citizen Academy participants concluded their VIP tours with a visit to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, which is the Authority’s hub of educational and recreational events and activities. The topic for the day was “How to become a water advocate.”
Opening in 2003, “Cubihatcha” is a native American term meaning “land between the lakes.” Appropriately, the Cubihatcha Center is located between the Authority’s Long Branch and Lower Towaliga Reservoirs. Citizen Academy participants toured the nearly 1,000-acre property by ATV, prior to a closer look of the Long Branch Reservoir by boat. According to the participants, it was the perfect way to conclude this year’s HCWA Citizen Academy programming.
 
“(The tours) were all wonderful and I learned so much about the Henry County Water Authority,” says Amber Smith, a Citizen Academy participant who is a public information specialist for Henry County Government. “I was surprised to learn there are so many recreational activities at the Water Authority, such as fishing, trail walking, bird watching, and gardening. And all the actions we can take as citizens to help protect and conserve our water resources.”
Montina Young Fraiser, another HCWA Citizen Academy graduate this year, notes that the most valuable benefit of the HCWA Citizen Academy might be its ability to bring residents together to build a stronger sense of community.
“I wanted to be a part of the Citizens Academy because I drink the water; I live in Henry County; I care about the county and community,” she says. “What surprised me the most is how many moving parts there are here at the Henry County Water Authority. I learned so much, and I would highly recommend the Citizen Academy. It’s so much fun. You’ll meet others who are interested in our community and hear from the employees who are so enthusiastic about their jobs that it made me want to come out and volunteer.”
Those 2026 HCWA Citizen Academy graduates included: Christian Cooper, Guinera Curry, Tawana Greene, Torus Greene, Latoya Head, Consuela Jackson, Stacey Justice, Lewis Phillips, Edwin Robinson, Heather Ross, Patrick Scott, Charisse Simpson, Amber Smith, Tiquana Webb, and Montina Young Fraiser


The 2026 HCWA Citizen Academy graduates (pictured with HCWA staff) completed the program by touring the Authority’s Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant, Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility, and Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, while learning valuable information about the Authority and its role in the community.





The Water Authority’s Barry Brand (far left) leads Citizen Academy participants on a tour of the Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant, which was selected as the Best Water Plant of its kind in Georgia this year.










On the second day of the three-day Citizen Academy tours, Montina Young Fraiser and other participants enjoyed a closer look at the newly expanded Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility.















The 2026 HCWA Citizen Academy tours ended with a boat ride on the Long Branch Reservoir, located adjacent to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center, followed by concluding insights on “how to become a water advocate.”








Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator who organized the HCWA Citizen Academy, shows a wood duck to participants during their final stop at the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center.