Debbie Maner

Debbie started her career in the water industry as an intern at UNC Asheville where she worked on the pilot Wellhead Protection Plan for the state of North Carolina. After graduating, she became employed with the NC Department of Environmental Quality in what was then the Groundwater Section working to oversee the regulation of underground storage tanks to protect groundwater. When a position as a Groundwater Technician opened with the North Carolina Rural Water Association, she took it and proceeded to help the Town of Black Mountain develop the first Wellhead Protection Plan approved by the state and went on to do the same for the Kerr Lake Regional Water Treatment Plant by receiving state approval for the first Source (Surface) Water Protection Plan in the state. She held the position of a Source Water Protection Specialist for twenty five years helping systems around the state with protection plans, before transitioning to a part time position helping with administrative duties under the Training Division – helping with Backflow Cross Connection classes, and submitting certification school rosters to the state. She is also working to archive NCRWA’s history in photographs.

Of all the positions she has held during her working career – waitress, maid, cocktail waitress, bartender, fish cleaner, house painter, new construction clean up person, etc., her current one is the one she likes the best!​