Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging


Supporting DEIB in the Water Community
AWWA believes DEIB create a more vibrant and resilient water community.
As we move toward 2050, all people — from water professionals to decision-makers to the community at large — will develop a shared understanding of the value of water and their part in protecting this vital resource for future generations.

Cheryl Porter, AWWA’s 2024-2025 President
Cheryl Porter took over as AWWA President at the gavel-passing ceremony at ACE24. She is the first African-American and the first woman of color to serve in this prestigious role. Porter brings a wealth of experience serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Water and Field Services at Great Lakes Water Authority. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School, and an MBA from Madonna University.
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Building a DEIB Future
AWWA promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in publications, training and event programming, and standards development.


DEI Standard AWWA G415
On December 8, 2023, the AWWA Standards Council announced the beginning of work on a new standard, AWWA G415 — Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices. This standard will address water and wastewater utility approaches to DEI strategy development, recruitment, culture, workforce, leadership, accountability, workspace design, operations, system reliability, affordability, and community relations and engagement.
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Diversity Programming at ACE
At AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition (held each June), diversity is on the agenda. One of the largest and most prestigious gatherings of the global water community, ACE features educational sessions and networking events focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AWWA Diversity & Inclusion Award Winners
AWWA recognizes the role of diversity and inclusion as being essential to the growth, structure, and continued success of any organization. Diversity and inclusion should be an inherent trait of any organization and is manifest in the mosaic of people who bring a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, values, and beliefs as assets to a group or organization in which they interact. The Diversity and Inclusion Award is not given to an individual, group, or organization on the basis of who they are, but because of their achievements and accomplishments.
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Calvin Farr, Jr., P.E.
Farr, general manager and CEO of SA, received the Individual Award for his leadership in championing organizational change and cultivating a workforce that reflects the community it serves.
Read the Announcement

Prince William County Service Authority (SA)
This Virginia utility’s DEI initiative, VIBE (Voices, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity) is fostering a sense of belonging and creating a thriving workplace culture.
Read the Announcement
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United States Special Observance Months
Use the links materials provided below as part of your organization’s own observance social campaigns.
Black History
Black History Month celebrates the rich history of the black community in the United States. AWWA celebrates the rich history of black water professionals, such as Hugh M Browne who invented a backflow prevention device in 1890.

Women’s History
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the contributions women have made to the water sector, including Ellen H. Swallow, whose survey work led to water quality standards for the state of Massachusetts — the first in the nation.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
AWWA celebrates and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans on the water sector throughout history during the month of May.

Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate and honor the many contributions of Hispanic Americans to the water sector.

Disability Employment Awareness Month
Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds us of the progress we have made in advancing access and equity for all workers and the work left to be done.

LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History Month celebrates the many contributions the LGBTQIA+ community has made throughout history. Within the water sector, we celebrate those such as Walt Westman for his work on amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which became the 1972 Clean Water Act.

American Indian Alaskan Native Heritage
In November, we celebrate American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month and all the water professionals from these communities continue to do to protect our most vital resource – water.


Join Us at These Events Which Include Diversity Programming
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WaterSmart Innovations
The world of water is finite. Find new ways to protect and conserve.
October 7-9, 2025
Reno, NV
Event Details
Young Professionals Summit
The world of water is finite. Find new ways to protect and conserve.
March 22-24, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Event Details
Annual Conference & Expo
The world of water is finite. Find new ways to protect and conserve.
June 21-24, 2026
Washington, D.C.
Event Details
DEIB Resources from AWWA
The following AWWA resources include information, articles, and more related to DEIB in the water sector.
DEIB Articles From AWWA
The following AWWA resources include information, articles, and more related to DEIB in the water sector.

Diversity & Member Inclusion Committee
The Diversity and Member Inclusion Committee leads AWWA in advancing a more diverse and inclusive organization that values individual differences, creating a collaborative and welcoming culture throughout the AWWA community.

Donnell Duncan, Chair
Assoc. VP, Arcadis
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Andrea Odegard-Begay
Senior Associate
Hazen & Sawyer

Sheryl Hopkins
Vice President of Human Resources, Badger Meter
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Alando Chappel
Public Works Director, Grand Haven Charter Township
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Denita Bonhart
Manager of Special Projects, Cleveland Division of Water
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Kevin Rodier
Sr. Engineering Project Manager
New Jersey American Water
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Dedra Ecklund
Associate, Senior Project Manager, Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
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Amanda Jones
Project Manager, Tucson Water; Founder Women in Water
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Aidan Cecchetti
Water Resource Control Engineer at State Water Resources Control Board; Ph.D.
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Shannon Abbott
Water Utility Manager, City of Calgary
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Sapna Mulki
Principal, Water Savvy Solutions
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Jessica Green
Education Program Manager
Orange County Utilities
Resources for Women
General Resouces
Journal AWWA Article
Women in Water Utilities: Breaking Barriers
This report from the World Bank lays out examples of opportunities and approaches that water and sanitation service providers can adopt to reduce and eliminate the barriers that women confront.
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Equal Aqua
Collaborative platform that aims to deepen the dialogue on gender diversity and inclusion in water sector jobs.
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Women for Water Circle of Giving
AWWA Water Equation group to benefit youth programs in the water industry.
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Reflecting on the Status of Women in Water and Sanitation
February 16, 2024: This article explores ways to develop a water workforce where women are well-represented, respected, and retained.
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They Say Women Drink Water Too
May 03, 2022: Standards can enable forward thinking, ensuring inclusive design that allows everyone to engage safely and productively in the water sector.
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Women & Water: Making Waves in the Industry
April 5, 2022: For this article, more than a dozen women shared their stories of how they found a place in the industry.
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