On Oct. 15, Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy and Town of Jonesborough officials celebrated the third anniversary of the Washington County and Jonesborough Water Partnership — a landmark inter-local agreement that has resulted in an unprecedented acceleration of water infrastructure development in rural, unincorporated areas of the county.
Established in late 2021, the partnership was created to address long-standing service deficits and capitalize on federal funding opportunities. The primary achievement of the collaboration is the rapid and efficient installation of new water infrastructure. Over the three years, the dedicated partnership crew has successfully installed 190,000 feet (approximately 36 miles) of new waterline and provided service to more than 350 customers previously without reliable water access.
“This partnership has become a model for what can be achieved when local governments work together toward a common goal,” Grandy said. “We recognized that access to reliable water service is fundamental to both quality of life and economic opportunity, and by combining our resources with the Town of Jonesborough, we’ve been able to deliver solutions faster and more efficiently than either of us could have alone.”
Its operational structure is the engine driving the partnership’s success. The county pays for the personnel, materials and equipment for a dedicated installation crew. The town of Jonesborough provides the necessary technical and administrative supervision for the crew and the projects — ensuring all new lines seamlessly integrate into the established Jonesborough Regional Water System. This critical oversight is managed by Jonesborough Utilities Director Kevin Brobeck and his team.
A cornerstone of the partnership’s success is its innovative financing strategy, ensuring the massive capital expenditure did not impact local taxpayers. The Washington County Commission successfully leveraged federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, strategically combining them with a substantial $6.4 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
The strategic partnership proved its value beyond expansion during recent extreme weather events. Following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which caused significant infrastructure damage, particularly on the south side of the Nolichucky River, the availability of the county-funded, dedicated crew allowed Jonesborough officials to dedicate effort and manpower immediately toward assessing and repairing the damaged system infrastructure. This restored water to homes in the area in a matter of weeks, instead of months.
“As we look ahead, this partnership will continue to be a cornerstone of our county’s infrastructure strategy,” Grandy said. “We’re not just building waterlines — we’re building a stronger, more connected Washington County that ensures every resident has access to the essential services they deserve.”
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