Buncombe Public Water Department was established by Mr. Wayman Presley in 1967, bringing clean potable water to the residents of Downtown Makanda (previously known as Buncombe Precinct).  Petitions were signed, water user contracts were drafted, and tap fees were collected which started the true venture of Buncombe Public Water District.

Here are a few misconceptions that the Public Water District since its start:

1. BPWD does NOT receive local tax dollars to fund the department
2. BPWD is ONLY funded by the monies received from the water bill you pay each month
3. BPWD is a municipality, meaning that the INCOME GENERATED IS ONLY USED TO FUND THE ACTIVITY OF THE WATER DISTRICT, not lining the pockets of Board Members or Employees

Starting and maintaining a water district in this areas has not been an easy feat. BPWD has several unique obstacles we face that other water districts in our surrounding areas do not.

1. Our downtown community is nestled in a rock valley, which had to be dynamited in some areas to install water lines and increases of repairs to be fixed;
2. Our district services roughly 398 customers year round, where other surrounding district have a few thousand customers; 

Wayman Presley and the Community of Makanda took a chance to have an opportunity of clean water when no other district wanted to service this area. Otherwise, there is a good chance, most would be hauling water or using a well if they were lucky enough to hit safe, usable water. Although the cost may be high to have water, we have a wonderful community that has kept the water system running since 1967. Our goal is to continue to provide safe potable water to the community of Makanda for future generations of Makandites.