Water and Sewer
John Renfrow, Director

John W. Renfrow began his service as the Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department in January 2006.

An active member of many committees and organizations that make important decisions regarding Miami-Dade County’s water and environmental health, Mr. Renfrow’s career with Miami-Dade County began in 1977 as an Engineer with Department of Enviromental Resources Management (DERM). A University of Miami graduate, Renfrow holds a civil engineering degree and is a registered professional engineer.

As the Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Mr. Renfrow’s duties include updating the water and sewer system and ensuring that adequate capacity exists for Miami-Dade County throughout the 21st century. The Department is one of the largest public utilities in the United States, employing 2,604 people with annual operating revenues of approximately $425 million. It provides direct service to more than 415,000 accounts, wholesale water service to 15 municipalities and wholesale sewer service to 12 municipalities.

In addition to being a certified hazardous materials manager, Mr. Renfrow acts as the secretary of the Environmental Quality Control Board, is executive council for the Developmental Impact Committee, and serves on the advisory council of the University of Miami School of Engineering. He has also been a member of the Governor’s East Everglades 8.5 Square Mile Study Committee, the North West Dade County Fresh Water Lake Plan Implementation Committee, and represented the County on the Miami-Dade County / Florida Keys Water Supply Plan Advisory Committee.

Before being tapped to lead the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Mr. Renfow had been serving as the Director of DERM since 1988. Under his direction, DERM grew into a nationally respected local environmental regulator and educator.