Episode 133 Alan Roberson

Alan Roberson, P.E. is a nationally recognized leader in drinking water policy, regulatory strategy, and public health protection with more than 46 years of experience spanning engineering, government affairs, association leadership, and water quality research. He is widely regarded as an expert in Safe Drinking Water Act implementation, water security, regulatory compliance, and utility risk management. Alan currently serves as a Water Policy Advisor, providing senior-level guidance to utilities, government agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations on federal and state drinking water policy. Throughout his career, he has played a critical role in shaping regulatory frameworks, evaluating public health impacts, and developing cost-effective compliance strategies. He has also served as an expert witness in international water regulatory matters. From 2017 to 2025, Alan served as Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), where he led national efforts to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, oversaw revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule, and strengthened coordination among state and federal drinking water programs. Prior to ASDWA, he spent 25 years with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) as Director of Federal Relations, directing national regulatory and water security initiatives, leading research programs, and serving as a key spokesperson on drinking water policy. Alan has also contributed extensively to academia and professional development. He is an instructor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, teaching drinking water policy and regulatory risk management. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and technical research studies addressing drinking water regulations, contaminant risk assessment, and utility management strategies. He currently serves on the Fairfax Water Board of Directors, where he has held leadership roles including Treasurer and Chair of the Water Quality & Supply Committee. His contributions to the water industry have been recognized with numerous honors, including the AWWA Fuller Award, ASDWA Career Achievement Award, and induction into the Water Industry Hall of Fame. Alan holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.More