Our Mission

Road across the Bridgewater Hydroelectric dam

Our Mission

To collectively identify, fund, and implement strategic initiatives that extend the capacity of the Catawba-Wateree River to effectively serve the community, while protecting and enhancing the ecological health of the basin.

A key driver for the communities that comprise the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group is the recognition that if we keep dealing with water in the same manner we have historically, we will not be able to meet anticipated needs. Realizing this fact led to the formation of the CWWMG with the mission of addressing the needs of the Catawba-Wateree Basin. Incorporated in late 2007, this 501(c)(3) non-profit group came out of the three and one-half year stakeholder process associated with Duke Energy’s re-licensing of the Catawba-Wateree Hydro Project, part of a Comprehensive Re-licensing Agreement (CRA) that defines how the Basin will be managed for the next 40 to 50 years.

The CWWMG is funded by dues from voluntary members representing Duke Energy and the large water suppliers that use storage in the eleven lake Catawba-Wateree Project system.

Click this link to view our Mission Statement and Guiding Principles

We're an open book

We track every dollar raised through membership dues and show how the projects help preserve and protect our river.

View All Financials

We are stewards of our
water resources

We proactively plan for and implement project benefitting our entire Basin.

View our Plan

MAP LEGEND

Catawba-Wateree River Basin
Main Riverine System
State Border

AREA OF DETAIL

Small inset showing the project locations stretching across North and South Carolina.

Our Basin, Our Team

Our member organizations manage the water you need every day. The CWWMG has 18 original members; one member representing each of the 17 public water utilities in North and South Carolina which operate water intakes on either a reservoir in the Catawba-Wateree Hydroelectric Project or on the main stem of the river, and one member representing Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC (Duke Energy). In 2020, the CWWMG expanded their membership eligibility to include other local or commercial water suppliers and has since welcomed 3 water utility systems as Utility Members. CWWMG members meet regularly to formulate strategies and projects to help understand and address the Basin’s water challenges.

Our Self Study

The CWWMG conducts a self-assessment every five years, as required by the bylaws, to ensure continued regional value and increase the group’s effectiveness. We've just completed our third self-assessment, read about it here: 2023 Study. The previous assessments and recommendations can be found here 2018 Study and here 2013 Study.

Bylaws

Our bylaws provide the foundation on which we operate. Our bylaws can be viewed here. 

Our Board of Directors

Jimmy BagleyChair
Jimmy Bagley, PE
City of Rock Hill, SCJeff LinebergerVice Chair
Jeff Lineberger, PE
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Jeff ChurchSecretary/Treasurer
Jeff Church, Ed.D
City of Lenoir, NCBrad BucySC At-Large Director
Brad Bucy, PE
Lancaster County Water & Sewer District, SCDavid Cox NC At-Large Director
David Cox
City of Hickory, NC

Our Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to hear about plans and activities of the CWWMG and to provide feedback as individuals from an external perspective to the officers and members about general direction, governance, strategy, planning and other aspects supportive of the CWWMG’s mission. As the committee is strictly advisory in nature, none of the members are asked to commit or speak on behalf of their respective organizations or employers, but to provide a unique perspective when appropriate.  Click here to view the Advisory Committee Charter.

Academic/Research
Cal Sawyer, Clemson University Recreation
Greg Nance, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation Local Government
Eleanor Mixon, Catawba Council of Governments Discretionary Seat
Connie Wade, Catawba Nation Executive Committee Economic Development
Robert Long, Chester County Economic Development Regulatory/State Government
Ryan Carter, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation Residential Landowner of Project or River Frontage
Shirley Greene, Fairfield County Council Environment
Vicki Taylor, Catawba-Wateree Initiative Industrial or Business Interest
Wesley Wightman, Apple Infrastructure Services Agricultural or Forestry
Mitch Peele/Keith Larick, NC Farm Bureau

Our Members