Joe J. Basista

Joe J. Basista is the Director of the DeKalb County Watershed Management Department (DWM).  As Director, Joe manages approximately 650 employees and oversees the DWM's operations in providing safe drinking water in adequate supplies and collecting and adequately treating wastewater, while focusing on excellent customer service.

Joe has more than 35 years of experience in the municipal water/wastewater industry.  He has served in both consultant and client management roles, and most recently worked for the City of Atlanta as Commissioner of Public Works.  In addition, Joe served as the Deputy Commissioner for the City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management, where he was responsible for the $3 billion wastewater capital program, resulting from the negotiated federal and state consent decrees to reduce overflows in the sanitary sewer systems.

Joe's capital program management experience is also extensive and includes serving as Program Manager for Clean Water Atlanta and Program Manager and Design Manager for the $1.2 billion Houston Wastewater Program, a 650 square mile system with 5,600 miles of sewer and 300 pump stations.

Joe earned a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Cleveland State University.

Departmental Summary - Watershed Management

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management protects the public health, safety and welfare through the provision of safe drinking water and quality wastewater treatment.

In addition to the estimated 5,000 miles of pipe in the distribution and collection systems, major facilities operated and maintained by the Department include the Scott Candler Water Filter Plant, the Pole Bridge Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Snapfinger Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the DeKalb County Raw Water Pumping Station.