As Brown County experienced accelerating growth in the 1960s and 70s, concerns began to develop about the ability of the groundwater aquifer to supply the long-term drinking water needs of Brown County municipalities.

A water study was commissioned by Brown County and completed by the engineering firm of Donohue and Associates in 1976. The "Brown County Water Plan" indicated that the St. Peters Sandstone Aquifer, which provides the water for all municipal wells in Brown County, would not be able to meet the long-term drinking water needs of the municipalities in the Green Bay area.

The "Brown County Planning Commission Potable Water Study Committee," made up of municipalities within Brown County, was subsequently formed to investigate drinking water solutions for Brown County and recommend a course of action.

In 1992, Consoer Townsend and Associates performed a second independent water quality and quantity study. The report confirmed the results of the first study, concluding that groundwater cannot supply the long-term needs of the Green Bay area communities and recommended that a Lake Michigan water source be pursued.

In 1998, the Central Brown County Water Commission introduced state legislation that allowed the formation of joint water authorities. With passage of that legislation, Wisconsin municipalities could now combine efforts to tackle water problems. The Central Brown County Water Commission was formally established under the new state law in 1999 as the Central Brown County Water Authority (CBCWA).

The CBCWA identified three options to supply water to the member communities. The options included buying water from Manitowoc, purchasing water from Green Bay or building an independent pipeline. Cost estimates were developed for the three options to help determine which option was the best long-term solution for the member community residents.

The Authority ultimately decided to purchase water from the city of Manitowoc and Manitowoc Public Utilities (MPU) as the best choice for the member communities and their residents. The agreement was signed with Manitowoc and MPU on July 20, 2004.

Construction of the project including the water distribution system, water transmission main, and increased microfiltration plant capacity started in July 2005. Water from the new system will be flowing to the Authority member communities in spring 2007.