Brian Biesemeyer has spent his career where it matters most: securing the future of water. From his early days helping maintain septic systems in rural southern Arizona to leading one of the Southwest’s most forward-thinking municipal water utilities, his path has been shaped by a deep commitment to public service and sustainability. Today, as the head of a national water-reuse organization, Biesemeyer continues to push the industry forward with practical solutions and long-term vision.
This article takes a closer look at his life, career milestones, contributions to water reuse, and the lasting impact of his work on communities facing growing water scarcity. It’s a story of leadership, innovation, and a lifelong dedication to making every drop count.
Key Facts About Brian Biesemeyer
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brian Biesemeyer |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Tucson, Arizona |
| Early Life | Grew up in rural southern Arizona; learned water and septic systems maintenance from his father |
| Education | B.S. in Geological Engineering; M.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Arizona |
| Professional Credentials | Registered Environmental Engineer; Certified Grade 4 operator in water & wastewater systems |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Reserve & Active Duty, Retired Lt. Colonel; Bronze Star recipient |
| Key Roles | Executive Director, Scottsdale Water (2012–2024); Acting City Manager, Scottsdale; Interim Executive Director, WateReuse Association (2025) |
| Awards & Honors | Arizona WateReuse Person of the Year (2024), Bill Donaldson Award (2017), Arizona Water Association Environmental Stewardship Award, Bronze Star |
| Focus Areas | Water sustainability, water reuse, public education, drought resilience, equity in water access |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed; reported Scottsdale Water salary ~$169,000/year |
| Legacy | Nationally recognized model of sustainable water management; shaping water reuse policy and practice in the U.S. |
Early Life, Education, and Military Service
Brian Biesemeyer was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in the rural south of the state, where he first learned the basics of water work by helping his father maintain and repair septic and water systems. Those early hands-on lessons became the foundation for a lifelong career in water infrastructure and public service.
A U.S. Army veteran, Biesemeyer retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after more than 22 years of combined active-duty and reserve service. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, later becoming a registered professional Environmental Engineer. During his military career, which included receiving a Bronze Star for his service in Desert Storm, he developed the discipline, leadership, and sense of duty that would define his civilian work.
Alongside his academic and military paths, Biesemeyer served in the Army Reserve from 1982 to 2005, a 23-year commitment that spanned both active and reserve roles.
His professional qualifications reflect both technical depth and practical field experience. He is a certified Grade 4 operator in water distribution, water treatment, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection – a rare combination that has grounded his leadership in real-world operational expertise.
Building a Career in Water Utilities
Biesemeyer’s career in water and wastewater utilities has taken him through a wide range of roles, from operating small rural systems to helping manage major municipal utilities. He has worked in both the private and public sectors, gaining firsthand experience with the diverse needs of different communities.
His early positions included serving as General Manager for several Arizona water systems owned by a private utility company and later as Deputy Utility Director for the City of Peoria.
His most significant chapter began in 2012, when he became Executive Director of Scottsdale Water, the water and wastewater utility for Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the following 12 years, Biesemeyer helped transform Scottsdale Water into a nationally recognized leader in sustainability, innovation, and customer engagement.
His leadership extended beyond the utility as well. On two occasions, from 2015 to 2017, he served as Scottsdale’s acting City Manager, stepping outside the water sector and demonstrating the trust, versatility, and steady leadership that defined his career.
National Leadership Role at WateReuse Association
In March 2025, just months after retiring from Scottsdale Water, Brian Biesemeyer stepped into a prominent national role as Interim Executive Director of the WateReuse Association, the leading U.S. organization dedicated exclusively to advancing water recycling and reuse policy.
In announcing his appointment, the WateReuse board highlighted his deep experience, noting that he “will offer his experienced and thoughtful leadership” during the transition. His long career, including 12 years as Scottsdale Water Director, service as acting City Manager, and his background as a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, along with his previous roles as president of WateReuse Arizona and a member of the national board, gives him a comprehensive understanding of the association’s mission and operations.
The WateReuse Association is the only national group focused solely on strengthening laws, funding, and policies that support water reuse. As interim director, Biesemeyer will help champion that mission, working to “empower communities and businesses to embrace water recycling as the cornerstone of safe, resilient, and sustainable water resources.”
With his extensive experience overseeing one of the most sophisticated urban water reuse programs in the country, Biesemeyer is uniquely positioned for this leadership role. In the months ahead, he will guide WateReuse’s national efforts while the board conducts its search for a permanent executive director.
Recognition and Legacy
Brian Biesemeyer earned wide respect throughout Arizona’s water community for his steady leadership and his commitment to sustainable water management. He served on numerous statewide boards, including chairing the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association’s management board, and in 2021 he was appointed by the Governor to the Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission.
His contributions have been recognized with several major awards. He was named the Arizona WateReuse Person of the Year in 2024, received the Arizona Water Association’s Environmental Stewardship Award, and earned Scottsdale’s Bill Donaldson Award for public service – an honor he had previously received in 2017 for exceptional leadership. He also holds a military Bronze Star, underscoring a lifetime dedicated to service.
Colleagues and public officials frequently praised his vision and reliability. Councilwoman Solange Whitehead noted that he “delivered on every water challenge,” while City Manager Jim Thompson highlighted that, under Biesemeyer’s leadership, “Scottsdale Water made remarkable strides in advancing water technologies,” leaving a lasting and positive impact on the city.
| Year | Award / Honor | Organization / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Bill Donaldson Award (City of Scottsdale Award of Excellence) | City of Scottsdale |
| 2024 | Arizona WateReuse Person of the Year | Arizona WateReuse Association |
| Not Verified | Arizona Water Association Environmental Stewardship Award | Arizona Water Association |
| Not Verified | Bronze Star | U.S. Military |
His achievements, from improving water quality to strengthening drought resilience – established a legacy that continues to influence water management across Arizona.
Net Worth & Financial Overview
Brian Biesemeyer’s exact net worth has not been publicly disclosed. During his time as Executive Director of Scottsdale Water, he reportedly earned an annual salary of about $169,000. His financial stability is built on a long career in water management, public utilities, and leadership roles across both municipal and private sectors.
His decades of service in the U.S. Army – including earning the Bronze Star, also contribute to his retirement benefits. However, no verified or reliable estimate of his total wealth is available, and any attempts to guess would be purely speculative.
Challenges Ahead and Biesemeyer’s Critical Leadership
The American West faces urgent water challenges. Prolonged drought, shrinking supplies from sources like the Colorado River, population growth, and rising demand from cities, farms, and industry make modern water management critical. Expanding water reuse nationally is a major hurdle. Scottsdale’s success offers a model, but replicating it across communities of varying sizes, budgets, and public attitudes requires strong advocacy, technical guidance, and policy support, areas where Biesemeyer and the WateReuse Association are well positioned to lead.
Public trust remains essential, particularly around recycled water for drinking. Biesemeyer’s experience with outreach, transparency, and education will be key to building confidence nationwide. Infrastructure and equity challenges also persist: advanced reuse systems demand significant investment and long-term planning, and ensuring access for low-income households has been a consistent focus in his work. Policy and regulation will ultimately determine the pace of progress, and as interim head of a national advocacy organization, Biesemeyer now has the opportunity to shape these frameworks for broader, sustainable adoption.
What’s Next for Brian Biesemeyer?
As of 2025, Brian Biesemeyer begins a new chapter in his career, one defined by national impact and decades of hard-earned expertise. His legacy in Scottsdale is unmistakable: he transformed the city’s water system into a model of sustainability, demonstrated that advanced recycled water programs can succeed with community trust, and championed education, equity, and long-term water security.
Now, with the WateReuse Association, Biesemeyer is bringing that vision to a broader stage. As communities across the country grapple with water scarcity and climate pressures, his leadership offers a blueprint for the future, combining engineering excellence, thoughtful policy, and the power of public engagement to ensure resilient and sustainable water resources.
Conclusion
Brian Biesemeyer’s story is more than a career biography – it is a testament to what visionary, committed leadership can achieve in public service and environmental stewardship. From repairing septic systems on a rural ranch to developing advanced water reuse programs and now guiding national water-reuse advocacy, Biesemeyer demonstrates that expertise, empathy, and determination can help communities secure their water future, even in the driest regions.
For areas facing water stress – whether in Arizona, Pakistan, or arid regions worldwide, his career offers a clear lesson: water is more than a resource; it is a shared responsibility. With the right combination of smart policy, innovative technology, and community engagement, sustainable water management is not only necessary, it is entirely achievable.
FAQs About Brian Biesemeyer
Brian Biesemeyer is a veteran water‑resources leader, former Executive Director of Scottsdale Water, and current Interim Executive Director of the WateReuse Association.
He is known for pioneering advanced water reuse, sustainability initiatives, and modernizing Scottsdale’s municipal water system.
Brian Biesemeyer was born in Tucson, Arizona.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Geological Engineering and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona.
He retired from Scottsdale Water in September 2024 after 12 years as Executive Director.
He serves as Interim Executive Director of the WateReuse Association, a national nonprofit promoting water recycling and reuse.
He led Scottsdale Water to national recognition, obtained Arizona’s first permit for advanced purified recycled water, and launched public education programs on water sustainability.
He introduced cutting-edge water reuse, drought-proofing measures, and educational programs, making Scottsdale a model for sustainable water management.
