On July 1, 2004, the water and wastewater operations of the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County consolidated to become the Western Virginia Water Authority. The Western Virginia Water Authority was the first authority in the Commonwealth formed from two existing entities to treat, deliver and administer water and wastewater.

Five years later, on November 24, 2009, Franklin County officially joined the Western Virginia Water Authority and on July 1, 2015, Botetourt County joined. The Authority now provides water service to over 62,000 customer accounts and wastewater service for more than 56,000 accounts in the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Franklin County and Botetourt County. The Authority also contracts to operate the water and wastewater systems for the Town of Fincastle and the Town of Boones Mill.