As a part of ADC’s 50th anniversary, ADC partners are reflecting on the past of defense communities and where the future is heading. The On Base team met with American Water Military Services Group President Sean Wheatley to discuss the importance of partnerships to improve quality of life of servicemembers.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
ADC: What is the one thing driving the most change in the communities and installations you support right now?
Wheatley: The one thing I see making the most change—making a real difference—is attitude. That may be a non‑traditional answer, but it truly comes down to attitude. When I attend ADC conferences and meet with government officials outside the gate of an installation and leaders in surrounding communities, I see a genuine interest in collaboration and in partnering with military installations.
As a disabled veteran who spent many years in the military, I can say firsthand that the relationship wasn’t always there. Being able to work with partners outside the gate to improve conditions is a sign of progress. I applaud ADC for the work they’re doing to bring communities and the military together to drive meaningful change for the future.
ADC: What is the one thing you see looking different 10 years from now?
Wheatley: I would like to see the ideas we discuss around the table truly come to fruition. There are many opportunities to strengthen collaboration between military installations and the surrounding communities, but putting those ideas into practice can be difficult.
There are many regulations and rules around government engagement that must be navigated. Ten years from now, I hope we’ve overcome those barriers and are in a position to make a real, lasting impact—not just for the communities outside the base, but for the families who live on military installations.
ADC: What is the one thing you are doing today to help get us there?
Wheatley: American Water’s Military Services Group is part of the U.S. government’s Utilities Privatization Program in which we own and operate water and wastewater utilities on installations under 50-year contracts. This includes the operation and maintenance of an installation’s water and wastewater systems and a capital program focused on asset replacement and, in certain instances, systems expansion. Our focus is on providing safe, clean and reliable water and wastewater services—not only for servicemembers and their families, but also for the government civilians who work on installations.
Reliability is something our servicemembers deserve. These are the warfighters who serve and sacrifice, often spending time away from their families. When they deploy, they should have confidence that the water and wastewater systems supporting their loved ones back home are safe and compliant.
That’s what we do. We’re excited about the opportunity to serve on these installations, and at American Water, our goal is to continue making investments that strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life across military communities.
