Powdersville Water is pleased to announce the appointment of David Niesse, P.E., as its new Executive Director, following an extensive regional search. Niesse brings over 30 years of experience in water and wastewater utility management, engineering, strategic planning, and regulatory affairs to the role.
Niesse currently serves as Director of Engineering at Greenville Water, where he led efforts to modernize capital planning, streamline development processes, and enhance communications and funding strategies. He was instrumental in implementing new cost-of-service fees and overseeing capital funding through debt issuance and grants.
Prior to that, Niesse was the Technical Services Officer at Renewable Water Resources (ReWa), where he administered a $105 million annual capital budget and coordinated a $528 million five-year plan. He also served as a key liaison to eight public service districts, supporting growth and intergovernmental collaboration.
Niesse spent nearly two decades at Mount Pleasant Waterworks, where he served as Engineering Manager and later Assistant General Manager. During his tenure, he built a highly regarded workforce culture, guided strategic planning, and helped the utility to earn six “Best Place to Work” recognitions.
A licensed Professional Engineer in South Carolina, Niesse holds a Master of Business Administration from The Citadel and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He is widely recognized for his leadership in the water sector, having served on the National Board of the WateReuse Association and chaired the South Carolina Water Utility Council. His achievements include receiving the George Warren Fuller Award—one of the industry’s most prestigious honors—for distinguished service to the water supply field.
Upon learning of his selection, Mr. Niesse said, “I’m incredibly humbled and honored to be selected as the new Executive Director for Powdersville Water. With a solid organizational foundation, dedicated staff, and supportive Board, I see Powdersville Water strengthening its position as a trusted community partner and a premier utility in the Upstate.”
Niesse will officially assume the role of Executive Director on October 27th.