CPWA MERGES WITH WCUD, BECOMES COUNTY’S LARGEST WATER UTILITY
On January 9, 2026, Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster announced that he had presided over a public hearing the previous night regarding the proposed merger of the West Cumberland Utility District (WCUD) into the Cumberland Plateau Water Authority (CPWA). After considering public comments and reviewing the relevant facts, he signed an official order merging WCUD into CPWA.
Foster described this as a significant, generational decision designed to benefit both current customers and future generations. As a result of the merger, CPWA has become the largest water utility in Cumberland County, now serving over 17,000 customers with a staff of 40 employees, $4.7 million in cash reserves, and no outstanding debt. Notably, former WCUD customers will benefit from an immediate 5 percent reduction in their water rates.
The mayor emphasized the importance of strong management, economies of scale, and financial stability in ensuring reliable and affordable water service for years to come. He expressed appreciation for the collaborative leadership of Jeff Dyer from CPWA and Melissa Bryant from WCUD, who were present for the signing, calling the merger another positive step forward for water infrastructure in the county.
This follows similar recent mergers involving other local utility districts with CPWA.
