A homeowners’ workshop is planned for residents in the Conasauga River drainage of Bradley County.

The free workshop at the Waterville Community School, 4081 Dalton Pike, will begin at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Participants will receive practical information about septic system maintenance. The first 40 registrants will receive a coupon to offset the cost of pumping out their tank.

Ball Play, Mill and Coahulla Creeks, which flow into the Conasauga River, are the focus areas for the project.

The goal is to reduce the levels of bacteria and nutrients to the streams from septic tanks and agricultural operations.

Residents who live within 100 feet of the streams should receive a postcard invitation to the workshop.

The Clean Water Act project is through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Southeast Tennessee RC&D Council.

Partners in the project include the Conasauga River Alliance, Tennessee Department of Groundwater Protection and Bradley County Soil Conservation District.

The Conasauga is the only stream in Tennessee which ultimately flows into the Gulf of Mexico via Mobile Bay rather than the Mississippi River. This important river treasure of Tennessee has more native species of fish than the Colorado and Columbia Rivers combined.

For more information or to register for the workshop call the RC&D Council at 423-507-1252 or Conasauga River Alliance at 423-309-2630.