Management Team

The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) was formed in 2002 to oversee the City’s new comprehensive approach to solving water issues. The DWM includes the City’s two water-related bureaus, Wastewater Services and Drinking Water, along with Engineering Services and the proposed Stormwater Management Utility. This organizational structure allows DWM to plan, design, construct, operate and maintain the City’s entire system of water and wastewater treatment, pumping, collection and distribution, and proposed stormwater management facilities.

The goal of the Department of Watershed Management is to build and maintain a “best-in-class utility” that:

provides clean drinking water to City customers, meeting or exceeding Safe Drinking Water Act standards
returns highly treated wastewater to local waterways, meeting or exceeding Clean Water Act standards.
reduces pollutants in stormwater runoff to protect local streams and rivers.

Robert J. Hunter serves as Commissioner of the Department of Watershed Management. Mr. Hunter has worked in the environmental engineering field for almost 30 years with an emphasis in water quality, wastewater systems, waste management and hazardous waste remediation.

As DWM Commissioner, he oversees seven bureaus, as well as special functions such as the Office of Safety and Security, the Buried Asset Management Institute and the Office of the Budget.

Mr. Hunter is responsible for setting departmental goals and for the management of the 1,384 personnel who work in the department.

The Department of Watershed Management is dedicated to providing the highest quality drinking water and wastewater services to City of Atlanta businesses and residents and to its wholesale customers at the lowest possible cost, while protecting urban waterways, conserving natural resources, and providing clean, safe water for downstream customers.

Office of the Commissioner
Bureau of Drinking Water
Bureau of Wastewater Treatment & Collection
Bureau of Engineering Services
Bureau of Financial Administration
Bureau of Management
Bureau of Watershed Protection
Bureau of Program Performance

In addition, a program manager and financial director from the Program Management Team are housed in the Department to ensure that the City is optimizing the use of its staff and financial resources in running the $3 billion program. Day-to-day management of the various projects under Clean Water Atlanta is provided by a Program Management Services contract.