Within the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) wear multiple hats. They are the boots on the ground, the face of public health. EHS expertise is needed to complete the investigation trifecta: Epi, Lab and Environment. As TDH develops a waterborne team, the role of the EHS includes grant writing, budgeting, data management, critical thinking in compliment with soft skills necessary to relate to the public and translating among public health programs not to mention our specialized environmental field expertise. Developing a program requires anticipating the needs of the many based on the experiences of the few. Discussed will be the development of a Waterborne Team and the critical role of EHS in a robust program.