History

The former Burton Water Company was established to provide water for Burton College in the early part of the 20th century. William McKinstry sold the company to Gerry Garrison, who ran the company until 2007, when he sold it to Jim Garrison and Evan Simmons, who ran the water company until they sold it to the Burton Water Cooperative in 2024.

The Burton Water Cooperative was formed in 2021 after Jim and Evan announced that they intended to sell Burton Water and retire. The Co-op’s objective was to purchase the assets of Burton Water Company in order to continue providing quality drinking water, operating as a non-profit water association under local community control.

After three years of dedicated effort, the Burton Water Cooperative completed acquisition of the assets of the Burton Water Company on October 28, 2024. The Burton Water Cooperative now owns and operates the Burton Water System. This transformation, spearheaded by a committed Board of Directors and numerous community members, ensures that local control of the water supply remains firmly in the hands of the community. Thank you to all of the many Co-op members who volunteered their time, knowledge and resources to complete the transition!

We are also grateful for the cooperation and patience shown by the sellers, Jim Garrison and Evan Simmons, and their commitment to the community during this long and crucial transition period.

The Cooperative was fortunate to retain key personnel, with current staff members Nick Simmons and Morgan Berry continuing in their roles as System Operator and Assistant Operator. Their expertise has been invaluable in maintaining institutional knowledge and ensuring a seamless transition.