WaterWorks Center for Environmental Education was founded by Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers and Valleys Resource Conservation and Development Council (AMRV RC&D) in 2010. AMRV RC&D is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in eight counties in North Alabama. 

WaterWorks is located in a retired drinking water treatment facility in Hartselle, Alabama next to the Flint Creek. Since the 1950s, nonpoint source pollution has been a problem for the Flint Creek which led to the water treatment plant closing in the 1970s.Hartselle Utilities sold the abandoned water treatment plant to AMRV RC&D for $10 in the 1990s. By 2010, a plan was developed to use the property for an immersive environmental education facility, and construction began when a 319 grant was secured for $400,000, provided by Morgan County Soil and Water. 

Even though the plant was no longer creating clean drinking water for the citizens of Hartselle, AMRV RC&D staff had a vision to utilize the existing structure to help clean the water in the Flint Creek.  This process included building constructed wetlands in the cells of the plant which uses plants, animals, gravel, and soil to remove debris and contaminants from the water.  Water is pumped from the Flint Creek and enters a system of constructed wetlands and freshwater aquariums. After flowing through the facility, the water re enters the Flint Creek cleaner that when it was removed.  

In 2011, WaterWorks officially opened its doors and hosted its first field trips. Since then, thousands of students have walked through the doors to learn about wetlands, pollution, water quality, green design practices, and more!