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New Watershed commissioner outlines five‑point plan for Atlanta water security
Summary
Greg Eirely, the newly introduced commissioner for the Department of Watershed Management, told the City Utilities Committee he plans five initiatives—operational excellence, infrastructure investment and AI integration, stormwater/storm resiliency, alternative water supplies and increased transparency—to strengthen Atlanta’s water security.
The City Utilities Committee on April 29 met the city’s new Watershed commissioner, Greg Eirely, who laid out a five‑point agenda that he said will guide the Department of Watershed Management over the coming years.
Eirely described his experience rising through utility ranks — from entry‑level wastewater operator to utility director in multiple cities — and cited prior work recovering utilities after major floods and leading large capital programs. He listed five priorities for Atlanta: - Operational excellence: retain and recruit staff, fill open positions, provide training and partner with unions. - Infrastructure investment and technology integration: rebuild aging systems, integrate new technology including AI tools to augment staff decision‑making and improve efficiency. - Stormwater resilience: invest in sustained stormwater utility measures and partner with neighboring jurisdictions to reduce flood impacts. - Alternative water supplies and reuse: expand water reuse opportunities to reduce demand on raw supplies. - Transparency and accountability: communicate needs, tell the department’s story, and hold operations accountable so the public understands system costs and risks.
Eirely told the committee he led major recovery efforts in previous roles, referenced Cedar Rapids’ 2008 flood and later work in Houston, and said he had recently been recognized by professional associations for utility management work. He said his immediate plans include staff recruiting, stabilizing long‑term rate structures, and pursuing targeted infrastructure investments.
Committee response and next steps - Councilmembers thanked Eirely for his remarks and welcomed his pledge to meet individually with members. Theo Pace from the mayor’s office encouraged council members to check their calendars for one‑on‑one meetings; the commissioner said he would schedule briefings to outline specific projects and budget needs. - Eirely said he would follow up with the committee, provide further documentation, and meet with union representatives and councilmembers to discuss staffing and capital planning.
Ending - Committee members requested the administration schedule briefings and circulate materials ahead of future meetings so members can review large capital projects before votes.
