Central Ohio Water Advisory Council

The Central Ohio Water Advisory Council (COWAC) provides leadership in the planning, management, stewardship and resiliency of waters in the region.

In 2025, the Sustaining Scioto Board transitioned to the Central Ohio Water Advisory Council (COWAC), a regional collaborative focused on long-term water sustainability. The Council includes representatives from across Central Ohio, bringing together project funders like the City of Columbus, Del-Co Water, and the City of Marysville, along with stakeholders from:
  • Agriculture
  • Local and state government
  • Higher education
  • Water and wastewater utilities
  • Conservation nonprofits
  • Community-based organizations
Building on a Strong Foundation
COWAC advances the work of the Sustaining Scioto Implementation Plan, which outlines projects and strategies from the Sustaining Scioto report to adapt to climate impacts and changing water needs.
This work is further informed by the Central Ohio Regional Water Study.  The study examined current and future water supply and demand across 15 counties, highlighting regional collaboration as critical to effective water and wastewater planning amid ongoing growth.
 
Our Mission
COWAC is committed to ensuring clean, reliable, and abundant water for everyone in Central Ohio. The Council focuses on:
  • Supporting data-driven decision making
  • Preparing and connecting communities
  • Protecting water resources
We accomplish this through education, advocacy, partnerships, and regional projects, ensuring our water future remains strong in the face of development and climate change.
  • Scott Ballenger, Aqua Ohio, Inc
  • Mike Barker, City of Dublin
  • Matt Baumann, Buckeye Lake for Tomorrow
  • Brian Brandt, American Farmland Trust
  • Craig Butler, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
  • Tyler Butler, Morrow Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Dave Celebrezze, City of Westerville
  • Jason Cervenec, OSU, Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center
  • Laura Fay, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW)
  • Kristy Hawthorne, Licking Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau
  • Jeremy Hoyt, City of Marysville
  • Adam Lehman, The Nature Conservancy
  • Brad Long, Ross County Water Company
  • CHAIR Glenn Marzluf, Del-Co Water Company, Inc.
  • Jennie McAdams, Franklin County Public Health
  • Mark McCabe, JEO Consulting Group
  • Adam McDowell, City of Westerville
  • Louis McFarland, Earnhart Hill Regional Water & Sewer District
  • Thomas Merritt, Dynotec
  • Leigh Ann Miller, Grange Insurance Audubon Center
  • Chet Murphy, Fayette Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Ryan Ohly, City of New Albany
  • Abby Pope, City of Columbus
  • Robert Priestas, City of Columbus
  • Aaron Reinhart, City of Mount Vernon
  • Annalisa Rocca, Ohio Environmental Council
  • Lyndon Roof, Logan Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Henry Stahl, Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Scott Stephens, Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District
  • David Straub, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Tom Taylor, Mid-Ohio Water and Sewer District
  • Andrew Tirpak, OSU Department of Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering
  • Chloe Welch, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
  • Lorraine Winters, City of Columbus
  • Tyler York, Black & Veatch

Sustaining Scioto Board

The Sustaining Scioto Board transitioned to the Central Ohio Regional Water Advisory Council in 2025.

The Sustaining Scioto Board guided the Sustaining Scioto Implementation Plan to help the region adapt to climate change and ensure access to clean and abundant water for a growing region. 

In 2019, MORPC convened Central Ohio stakeholders to form the Sustaining Scioto Subcommittee that was charged with developing the Sustaining Scioto Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan identified a range of projects and initiatives that will advance the adaptive strategies identified in the Sustaining Scioto  report. To ensure project advancement, MORPC unanimously approved the formation of the Sustaining Scioto Board in December 2019.

The Board consisted of project funders, such as the City of Columbus, Del-Co Water, and the City of Marysville, as well as representatives from key stakeholder groups including agriculture, local and state government, higher education, water and wastewater service providers, non-profit conservation groups, and other community-based organizations.

View the past Sustaining Scioto Board Bylaws here

Past Board Members

  • Glenn Marzluf, Del-Co Water Co.– Chair
  • Larry Antosch, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
  • Mike Barker, City of New Albany
  • Brian Brandt, American Farmland Trust
  • Jessica D’Ambrosio, The Nature Conservancy
  • Laura Fay, Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed
  • Jennifer Fish, Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Jeremy Hoyt, City of Marysville
  • Marci Lininger, Ohio Dept. of Transportation
  • Dick Lorenz, City of WestervilleJennie
  • McAdams, Franklin County Public Health
  • Rob Priestas, City of Columbus Public Utilities
  • Scott Stephens, Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District
  • David Straub, United States Geological Survey
  • Rick Van Gundy, Scioto River Valley Federation
  • Chloe Welch, Ohio EPA
  • Brooke White, Ramboll
  • Adrienne Williams, Growing & Growth Collective
  • Aaron Wilson, Ohio State Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center
 
Contact Information
Edwina Teye, Ph.D.
Senior Water & Natural Resources Program Manager

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