West Atlanta Watershed Alliance Inc

The West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) is a community-based, non-profit organization that is dedicated to growing a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more sustainable West Atlanta. Our mission is to improve the quality of life within the West Atlanta Watershed by protecting, preserving and restoring our community’s natural resources. WAWA serves low wealth and communities of color in the Proctor, Utoy, and Sandy Creek Watersheds of Northwest and Southwest Atlanta--- those overburdened with environmental stressors, but often least represented at environmental decision-making tables. Established as a result of community efforts to halt discriminatory wastewater treatment practices in West Atlanta, WAWA has grown to become an impactful force in community-centered sustainable development. 

 We believe a healthy environment is a key ingredient for a healthy community. Our grassroots approach to organizing, research, community science, and education elevates local community knowledge and lived experiences; enabling residents to solve and address their environmental challenges. WAWA’s work is grounded in the Jemez Principles. We help to set conditions that enable residents to empower themselves and elevate their voices to be advocates for their communities. We envision: 1) a community that protects our watersheds and recognizes and appreciates our important connections to these vital resources; 2) informed and engaged residents who fully participate in decision-making on issues that impact environmental quality, our health and community well-being; and 3) strong and equitable environmental protections. We also envision WAWA as a trusted thought leader and primary resource for West Atlanta communities seeking to advance environmental, community, and systems change.