Western Virginia Water Authority

About the Academy

Citizens Academy is a free, 5-week program that invites Western Virginia Water Authority customers and community leaders behind the scenes of the utility that delivers drinking water, treats wastewater, and protects public health and local waterways for approximately 70,000 accounts across Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Franklin County, Botetourt County, the Town of Vinton, and the Town of Boones Mill.

This program is for adults 18 and older. Participants will be selected from customers across our service area. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 11.

Sessions are held on Tuesday evening from 5:30-8:00 PM, with dinner provided. 

Program Overview

Session 1: Sept 22, 2026
Behind the Faucet: Carvins Cove Reservoir and Water Treatment Facility

Welcome to Citizens Academy! The first session will give you a full overview of the program and what to expect in the coming weeks. We will begin our session at the place where the drinking water process truly begins - the watershed. Participants will learn about Carvins Cove Reservoir and how the land surrounding the reservoir plays a vital role in our drinking water supply. 

Following the reservoir, we will tour the Carvins Cove Water Treatment Facility. Participants will gain an understanding of the entire conventional water treatment process - from Forest to Faucet. 

Session 2: Sept 29, 2026
After the Flush: Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant

In this session, we will focus on what happens after the flush. The Roanoke Regional Water Pollution Control Plant provides tertiary treatment for an average of 32-million gallons of sanitary sewer a day from all jurisdictions in the Roanoke Valley. A drop of water entering the Regional Water Pollution Control Plant takes approximately 24 hours to move through all levels of the liquid treatment process before returning to the Roanoke River.

Participants will tour the facility, learning about how the Authority removes more than 100,000lbs of pollution from the Valley's wastewater each day. The group will also learn about the regulations and requirements in place to ensure the local waterways are protected. 

Session 3: Oct 6, 2026
Pipes, Pumps and People: Field Operations and Capital Improvement Projects

Field Operations is the largest division at the Western Virginia Water Authority. Participants will learn about the anatomy of a watermain break and meet the people behind the 24-hour service we provide to our customers. We will tour the facility that houses dump trucks, excavators, sewer vactor trucks and inspection equipment. Operators will conduct equipment demonstrations, where participants will have the opportunity to step inside and learn about the various trucks used to repair and maintain our system. 

This session will also focus on Capital Improvement Projects, the challenges of maintaining a complex water distribution system, and the Authority's role in economic development across the region.

Session 4: Oct 13, 2026
Exploring Roanoke's Water History: Crystal Spring Water Treatment Facility

Participants will receive a behind-the-scenes look at Roanoke's oldest water source. In this session, we will travel back in time and experience a demonstration of the 1905 Snow Steam Pump (yes, it still turns on!) We will learn about how groundwater plays an important role in water supply for our Valley and tour the current filtration and disinfection process that takes place inside Crystal Spring Water Treatment Facility. 

The session will include a presentation from our water operations team, a laboratory demonstration, and information about the regulatory requirements for drinking water treatment. 

Session 5: Oct 20, 2026
A Legacy in Every Drop: WVWA Formation Story and Graduation Celebration

You made it! Our final session will end where the decisions are made: The WVWA Board Room. We will conclude our Citizens Academy with a documentary screening of A Legacy in Every Drop, a PBS documentary about the Water Authority formation. We will be joined by WVWA leadership and celebrate with a graduation ceremony for the 2026 Citizens Academy class.