New water sector scholarship honors contributions of Dr. James Edzwald

An endowed scholarship for graduate students to honor Dr. James Edzwald of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) was recently established by the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Water Equation.

Edzwald is professor emeritus and past head of the civil and environmental engineering department at UMass Amherst. His 60-year tenure as an engineer, educator and researcher has been instrumental in the careers of thousands of water professionals there, as well as at the University of Missouri-Columbia and Clarkson University. 

The annual $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to a graduate student pursuing research on documenting climate change effects on water quality and treatment and/or resilient treatment methods pertaining to supplies with algae, Cyanobacteria, natural organic matter, and/or contaminants of emerging concern to the drinking water sector. The scholarship was announced earlier this week at AWWA’s 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition in Toronto. (Pictured above from left, Edzwald; in his UMass lab with Jim Malley; at UMass in the 1980s.)

An AWWA member since 1968, Edzwald received the 2017 Abel Woman Award of Excellence in recognition of his contributions to water supply research. He was awarded the 2004 A.P. Black award for his extensive research contributions to water science and water supply. He also has received numerous teaching and publication awards from various professional associations.

Forging an impactful career

Edzwald decided on a career in water in 1964 as a civil engineering student at the University of Maryland. Upon graduation, he became an entry-level engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, assigned to the Washington Aqueduct Division that provided drinking water to the nation’s capital.

Realizing he would benefit from graduate work, he entered a master’s program in environmental health engineering at the University of Maryland, where his thesis advisor, Francis Birkner, had earned his Ph.D. under the guidance of A.P. Black. Edzwald’s interest in teaching led him to then pursue a doctorate in environmental engineering at the University of North Carolina, where he also studied public health and chemistry. His Ph.D. advisor was Charles O’Melia.

“It was natural for me to pursue drinking water as a field, given my academic background and study in public health,” he said. 

Advancing water knowledge through students

Edzwald estimates that over the course of his career, he taught environmental engineering and aquatic chemistry to about a thousand graduate students and advised about a hundred M.S. and Ph.D. students on their research thesis or dissertation.

His educational achievements were recognized through the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Founders Award and Charles R. O’Melia Distinguished Educator Award.

“I learned from my graduate students through their research, and many are leaders in water practice and academic,” he said. “It is gratifying to see their successes.”

He is proud of his work with AWWA’s Student Activities Committee in the late 1970s through early 1980s. As chair, he developed the idea and criteria for the Abel Wolman Ph.D. Fellowship, which was one of the first student scholarships established by AWWA.

Finding the key to successful research

Edzwald (pictured right at UMass in the 1980s) attributes some of his research success to his academic background in civil and environmental engineering, public health and chemistry, and his focus on specific areas such as the chemistry of water supplies and treatment, and physical-chemical treatment processes.

“I was then able to apply my knowledge to various water problems over time,” he said.

He recommends these strategies to younger water professionals as well.

“Do not be a butterfly who jumps from one current problem to another,” he suggested. “Publish and establish your expertise in a couple of areas. Read the literature extensively so you build upon the knowledge of a subject and do not repeat work already done. Use primary sources in your writing and publications and avoid secondary sources.”

Finding balance to a busy career

Outside of his professional life, Edzwald has enjoyed a 59-year marriage with his wife, Joan. They are avid walkers and love to travel.

“We have visited 48 states in the U.S., eight of the 10 Canadian provinces, and 35 countries,” he said. “We love the scenery, the culture and people we meet.”