thank | Charlotte Water Blog

She leaves after 38 years of service to the City and CLTWater.

Jackie Jarrell, 2013

Charlotte, N.C.– After over three decades of working for the City of Charlotte, Charlotte Water Deputy Director Jacqueline “Jackie” Jarrell, PE, is retiring after 38 years of service. Jackie, who has served in various positions since joining Charlotte Water in 1985, will retire on December 31.

“I want to thank my family, all who I have worked with at Charlotte Water, and the many mentors and friends in the water sector for the years of partnership and guidance that allowed me to learn, grow, and succeed through my career,” says Jackie regarding her time at CLTWater and as a water sector professional. “I have constantly been inspired by how Charlotte Water, as an organization, is always looking forward to how we can continue to provide the best services possible to our community and the region through innovation, partnerships, and dedication to protecting water and the environment. I am honored to have been a part of Charlotte Water and have the opportunity to give back to my community and the water sector as a whole.”

Originally from New Jersey, Jackie moved to Charlotte to attend UNC Charlotte, becoming the first in her family to go to college and earn a degree. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Urban and Environmental (Civil) program, Jackie joined Charlotte Water as an engineer (first female engineer) in the Engineering Division of Charlotte Water. While in Engineering, she worked in capital planning and completed hydraulic distribution modeling and sanitary sewer evaluations. She started the Backflow Prevention program for Charlotte Water. From there, Jackie went on to manage the System Protection Division, which included the Industrial Pretreatment Program, working with many local industries and with the Backflow Prevention program. She initiated the Industrial Excellence Awards, honoring industries in our community for excellent environmental compliance. Jackie then became a Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent and eventually Environmental Management Chief, managing and leading our six wastewater treatment facilities operations and the biosolids program, the largest land application program in the Southeast. From 2019-2020, she stepped into the Interim Deputy Director role before becoming a Deputy Director in 2020. She created history again when she became the first Latin American woman to serve in an executive position for Charlotte Water.

Throughout her career, Jackie has been a champion for sustainability, initiating several projects, pilots, and initiatives for Charlotte Water. She has collaborated and partnered with UNC Charlotte on research and supporting opportunities for student internships within the College of Civil and Environmental Engineering. During her time at CLTWater, Jackie became a local, state, national, and international leader in the public water sector, earning a series of accomplishments and serving in leadership roles at several organizations and professional groups.

Jackie Jarrell, 2021, Water Environment Federation, WEF Fellow

Jackie served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of 35,000 water professionals. She was named a WEF Fellow in 2021. She is currently serving as the chair of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory to the Board. Jackie served as chair of the N.C. Water Quality Association, of which she was one of the founding members. She was also active in and was Chair of NC OneWater (formerly NC AWWA-WEA). She currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the UNC Charlotte Civil and Environmental Engineering Department College Board of Advisors. Jackie also had the opportunity to travel to Bolivia with Water for People, an international non-profit organization that promotes accessibility to high-quality drinking water and sanitation.

“There is no way I can quantify the impact that Jackie has had not only for us at Charlotte Water but the commitment and dedication she has shown in the way she has assisted in the running of a water system that supports, sustains, and grows with our region,” says Charlotte Water Director Angela Charles. “While Jackie will be sorely missed by us all, we wish her a wonderful, peaceful, and restful retirement as she embarks on this new chapter of her life.”