American Water Works Association (AWWA) was established as an international non-profit professional organization dedicated to the improvement of water quality and supply. Founded in 1881, it claims a membership of around 56,000 members worldwide as of 2010.
AWWA has become the largest organization of water professionals in the world, representing more than 100 countries. AWWA members represent the full spectrum of the water community: water utilities, treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academics, regulators, and others with an interest in water supply and public health. AWWA works through advocacy, communications, conferences, education and training, science and technology, and local action among 43 AWWA Sections throughout North America.
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To deliver its message concerning water and related subjects, the AWWA publishes Journal AWWA and also standard practice and testing articles for use by industry. Standing committees periodically review and update the standards as required. An annual conference is held in the United States for the entire organization and several regional meetings and conferences around the world. The association provides reliable information regarding technology, trends, and news through its periodicals, website, and media outreach. AWWA publishes standards, books, manuals, videos, electronic databases, and reports for use by water professionals and others.
The need to create a way for creating a benchmark methodolgy the AWWA began to develop industry standards for products, processes and best practices that advance public health and safety. The AWWA Standards Program has provided standards since 1908 and is recognized internationally as a significant source for scientific and management reference resources for the drinking water community. Currently, there are over 150 AWWA Standards covering filtration materials, treatment chemicals, disinfection practices, meters, valves, utility management practices, storage tanks, pumps, and ductile iron, steel, concrete, asbestos-cement, and plastic pipe and fittings.
Through QualServe, a voluntary quality improvement program for water utilities, AWWA helps water and wastewater facilities improve overall operations and increase customer satisfaction and confidence on a continuing basis. QualServe provides a self-assessment instrument, peer review and benchmarking to help utilities evaluate themselves and enhance performance.
AWWA offers numerous opportunities for people to meet, learn, and network at the international, national, and section levels. In addition to publications and comprehensive conferences for water professionals, AWWA hosts a variety of workshops, symposia, teleconferences, and programs focused on specific aspects of water stewardship.
AWWA is a key resource for water professionals’ continuing education and development. Materials and instruction are available through a variety of media, from traditional seminars to online courses, teleconferences and webcasts.
Together, these core competencies distinguish AWWA as the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of drinking water in North America and beyond. Through the collective strength of its members, AWWA helps everyone to become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.
In May 1985, the United States Environmental Protection Agency entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF International to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a certification program for all direct and indirect drinking water additives. Other members of the consortium include AWWA. The consortium is responsible for the cooperative effort of manufacturers, regulators, product users and other interested parties that develop and maintain the NSF standards.
In February 1991, AWWA founded Water For People, a non-profit international development organization that helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and health and hygiene education programs.
In 1998, AWWA worked with Representative Robert Roe and Senator Dennis DeConcini to sponsor a resolution naming the first week of May as "National Drinking Water Week."[1] A joint congressional resolution declaration occurred, and was signed into existence by President Ronald Reagan.[1]