Gwinnett County has entered a Level 1 drought response following the statewide declaration by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
Residents and businesses should follow the statewide, year-round watering schedule which requires landscape watering to be completed before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. to prevent water loss from evaporation.
This response does not place any additional restrictions on outdoor water use related to landscaping, washing vehicles, pressure washing or ornamental water features.
Residents and businesses can help protect Gwinnett’s water supply through additional water conservation methods, including:
- Checking and repairing leaks inside and outside the home
- Shortening showers and turning off water when shaving or brushing teeth
- Filling dishwashers and washing machines, ensuring there is a full load every time
- Replacing older toilets and shower heads with high-efficiency models
- Looking for EPA WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labeled products when shopping for new appliances and water fixtures
Multicultural Festival at Sugarloaf Mills on May 2
Gwinnett County residents are invited to celebrate the vibrant cultures and traditions that thrive within our community at the 12th annual Multicultural Festival and County Government Open House.
This year, the event will take place at a new location and time: Sugarloaf Mills, located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, from noon to 4 p.m. on May 2.
Gwinnett is proud to serve more than a million residents, and the county is ranked the most diverse county in Georgia for 2026 by Niche.com. This free, family-friendly event showcases the county’s diversity through live music, traditional dance performances and a Passport Challenge for children ages 15 and under. There will be free henna tattoos, face painting, bounce houses and touch-a-trucks.
GGC names health building for Balfour
Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) has officially named the Allied Health and Sciences building as the Donald K. Balfour II Health and Sciences Building. Donald K. Balfour II of Norcross is a longtime public servant and business leader whose impact helped shape both the college and the state. Shown are Dr. Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Balfour and GGC President Dr. Jann L. Joseph in front of the newly-named building.
Balfour brings more than four decades of leadership experience. Born in New Jersey in 1957, he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Bob Jones University in 1980 and completed graduate studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1981.He spent 40 years as an executive with Waffle House, developing expertise in operations, leadership and organizational growth. In public service, he served 22 years in the Georgia State Senate, including as chairman of the Rules Committee. During his legislative tenure, Balfour sponsored the legislation establishing GGC and supported numerous initiatives benefiting the institution.
Following his time in elected office, he continued his executive career as senior vice president of Ohio River South and remains engaged in civic efforts through The Carter Center, where he serves as the lead Republican in the Georgia Democracy Network.
Warbington named to Tech’s engineering advisory board
Chuck Warbington, a registered engineer and graduate of Georgia Tech, was recently appointed to the Georgia Tech School of Civil and Environmental Engineering External Advisory Board. The Board provides advice, counsel, and strategy to the Civil and Environmental Engineering School and advocates for the school both nationally and internationally. While at Georgia Tech, Chuck was a wide receiver for the 1990 National Championship Football Team. After graduation from Georgia Tech, he started his career with Pond and Company, a local Architectural/Engineering company, was head of the Gwinnett Village CID, and has been city manager for the City of Lawrenceville for 10 years.
