Update: Laurie Riley, executive director of Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful, said the staging area for the "Rivers Alive" event has changed.

"We will meet at 9 a.m. in the handicapped parking lot behind the Newton County Administration Building instead of at the Covington Square. This parking lot is located on Elm Street across the street from the parking deck," Riley said in an email. "Please park in the deck and walk over to the handicapped lot to pick up your breakfast and cleanup supplies.

"This change is necessary because of a road race that will be routed around the square during the same time. Roads around the square will be closed and volunteers will not be able to access our original meeting location. Signs on barricades will help route everyone to the new location."

Original story: Next Saturday, Oct. 13, volunteers will kick off the annual "Rivers Alive" event on the Covington square.

Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful is requesting that all volunteers preregister. Everyone is invited to participate: individuals, families, businesses, churches, clubs, etc.

Volunteers will meet on the square at 9 a.m. As groups arrive, they will be assigned to various points on the Alcovy, South and Yellow Rivers. Groups will clean for a few hours, followed by a lunch at noon at the Georgia Wildlife Federation at 11600 Hazelbrand Road.

KCNB and GWF host "Rivers Alive" each October.

The event was created to address water pollution and attempt to provide solutions for water pollution issues. Last year, more than 325 volunteers were in attendance, and even more are expected this year.

"We appreciate everyone who participated in the event last year," said KCNB director Laurie Riley. "If you haven't participated before, we want to encourage you to make this event part of your ongoing community involvement. Every effort to reduce litter in our community not only help the environment to look better, but also has a positive impact on local water quality."

Local sponsors include the city of Covington and KCNB, which will provide breakfast for all volunteers on the Covington square, and the Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, which will provide lunch for the volunteers at GWF.

Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and long pants and prepare to get at least a little wet.
After cleanup is completed, all are invited to eat lunch and enjoy fun and educational activities, including a rain barrel making workshop, at the GWF.

For more information, visit kcnb.biz.