Join the Conversation: Water is Life – The History and Future of the Asheville Water System

Discover the Story Behind Asheville’s Most Precious Resource

Asheville’s water is renowned for its purity—but how did it get that way? Join us for an engaging forum, "Water is Life: The History and Future of the Asheville Water System," where we’ll explore the rich history, challenges, and future of our local water supply.

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 The Origins of Pristine: Learn how Asheville’s water became one of the purest in the region.
🔹 Hurricane Helene: A Tale of Resilience: Relive the dramatic events of Hurricane Helene and the remarkable recovery of our water system.
🔹 Building a Resilient Future: Gain insights into Asheville’s proactive strategies for sustainability and resilience.

Meet the Experts:

Our panel features top industry professionals with deep expertise in water systems, risk management, and emergency response.

John McLaughlin, PE

A water system resilience expert with over 40 years in the industry. John has been involved in virtually every major water system risk and resilience committee and led over 40 utility risk assessments nationwide—including for Asheville. He was also appointed by the Asheville City Council as a Public Water Supply Expert to analyze the 2022 Christmas water emergency.

Will Jernigan, PE

A leader in the water loss industry, Will is the chief architect behind the AWWA Water Audit Software and a US expert on international water loss standards. He has worked with over 1,500 water systems and lives in Asheville—where he enjoys its pristine tap water and has trained his kids not to leave the water running while they brush their teeth.

David Melton

Director of Water Resources for the City of Asheville, David has nearly 30 years of experience in drinking water management. He holds multiple certifications in water distribution and treatment and plays an active role in North Carolina’s water resources leadership.

Ray Cox, PE

A licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years in the water sector, Ray is a former president of the Professional Engineers of North Carolina and a champion of clean water initiatives. He is also a performing musician who likes to say he has been ignored in some pretty cool places.

Why Attend?

✅ Become an informed citizen and gain a deeper appreciation for Asheville’s water.
✅ Understand the challenges and successes of managing a complex water system.
✅ Participate in a crucial conversation about the future of our community’s most vital resource.