About Water Equation
Founded in 1881, American Water Works Association has a history of philanthropy.
About Water Equation
Recognizing the need to provide continuing education for water operators and students to ensure the future workforce, AWWA founded Water Equation in 2015. One year prior, AWWA entered into a partnership with Engineers without Borders – USA and American Society of Civil Engineers to create Community Engineering Corps with the goal of supporting underserved communities in the U.S. with getting themselves access to improved water and wastewater infrastructure. Water Equation has adopted Community Engineering Corps as a funded program.
Prior to that, it created Water for People in 1991 as it shared the vision of a world where all people have access to safe water and adequate sanitation, and Water Research Foundation in 1961 to to advance the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. Both of these organizations have separated from AWWA and have thrived on their own.
Our goals remain the same as they were in 1881, but we use innovation and technology to achieve them. This newest philanthropy, Water Equation, has a mission of educating water industry professionals as well as protecting our communities through safe water.
Water Equation Standing Committee
The Water Equation Standing Committee reports to the AWWA Executive Committee. Committee members are elected by a nominating committee and approved by the AWWA President for a three-year term. The committee meets virtually every month to discuss fundraising, communications, and outreach. Please contact Chair Katie Richardson at catharine.richardson@tylin.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Andy Cooper
Director
Chesapeake
Catharine Richardson
Chair
Wisconsin
Kristin Kihs
Vice-Chair
Pacific Northwest
Jessica Alves
New York
Jared Baker
Rocky Mountain
Michael T Brown
Pennsylvania
Nicole Brown
New Jersey
Elizabeth Carter
Rocky Mountain
Jennifer Elms
Texas
Stephanie Estabrook
California-Nevada
Ali Mahan
Virginia
Jared Ogle
Missouri
Jon Shellhorn
Kansas
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Providing funding for workforce advancement, scholarships, students, young professionals, and Community Engineering Corps.
Donor Spotlight
Each of our donors has a special and unique story connected to their giving. We could not fund the future of water without their support. Discover the reasons behind their generosity.
Shea Dunifon, Pinellas County Education Coordinator
“We’re getting students immersed in the technology so they’re looking at water in a very different way. We are trying to evolve as an industry and trying to be more appealing to the next generation and Water Equation really supports that initiative.”
Jeff Blakely, Former AWWA Young Professional Chair and Current MAC Member
“I give to Water Equation because they’ve got a vision of supporting the future of the water industry, they were heavily involved in a lot of the young professional programs that I was involved in, and I got to know a lot of the wonderful staff.”
Kevin Bergschneider, HDR Program Leader and Water Equation Committee Member
“I advocate for water equation because I think it’s important for us as an industry to give back to raise money for scholarships for students. Having that connection and being able to support them while they’re in college is just a great pipeline to keep the best and the brightest coming into our industry.”
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