AWWA Questions & Answers

The American Water Works Association is an international, scientific, and educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to a better world through better water. 

Founded in 1881, AWWA is the largest organization of water supply professionals in the world. Its membership includes more than 50,000 members and over 4,300 utilities, which supply roughly 80% of North America’s drinking water and treat almost half of North America’s wastewater. 

AWWA supports positive change by helping elected leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders make informed decisions about water management, quality, and security. AWWA’s engagement leads to public policy that keeps consumers safe and water affordable and reliable. 

AWWA hosts year-round conferences, seminars, and educational events that foster professional development, and opportunities to exchange knowledge. AWWA’s premier event, the Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE),  attracts more than 10,000 attendees each June and is complemented by specialty conferences and seminars focused on key water sector topics.

AWWA provides Utility Advisories by email to utility members as timely water sector information becomes available, as well as the Insider newsletter, which is sent biweekly to utility and service provider members. The Insider newsletter highlights the work AWWA accomplishes, especially, but not exclusively in Washington, D.C.

All members receive the AWWA Connections Newsletter, which features AWWA news, member profiles, water sector trends, and policies. 

Yes, AWWA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Water Equation is an initiative of AWWA that provides funding for academic scholarships, water operator continuing education, and programs for young professionals. 

As the world’s largest water association, AWWA supports the international water community, welcoming members from across the globe and bringing them together at the Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE). 

AWWA joined the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, underscoring our commitment to global sustainability and collective impact. 

Contact AWWA Member Services for assistance with membership, events, training, publications, purchases, account support, and general inquiries. Members and non-members can create an account and use the AWWA Dashboard to view their current membership status, access membership benefits, certificates of completion, see upcoming webinars, and more.  

service@awwa.org

303.794.7711 or 800.926.7337

AWWA Standards are consensus documents created by volunteer committees. They offer minimum requirements and guidelines on all facets of water. 

AWWA offers more than 200 ANSI-accredited Standards, available for purchase through the AWWA Store. Utility and service provider organizational members receive online access to the AWWA Standards collection as a membership benefit. 

AWWA’s 60+ manuals are consensus documents focused on providing strategies and steps for water system optimization. They are written, reviewed, and approved by members of AWWA volunteer committees.

AWWA Standards, manuals, and over 200 technical books developed by industry experts are available on the AWWA Store.

Find information curated by industry experts on the AWWA Resource Hub, including in-depth technical reports and topic-organized guides, such as cybersecurity, infrastructure funding, and PFAS. 

AWWA provides access to journal and magazine articles as a membership benefit.

• Journal AWWA is the voice of the American Water Works Association and serves as a forum for thought leaders in the water and wastewater industry to learn about critical issues affecting water.
• Opflow is the water community’s primary network for operator-level workers, celebrating 50 years. The award-winning magazine presents new and established technologies and ideas that readers can apply to their operations.
• AWWA Water Science publishes original, peer-reviewed research on the science, engineering, and social aspects of water, bridging the gap between theory and practice for safe, sustainable water.

Download the free annual State of the Water Industry Report to learn about the top industry challenges, utility priorities, and emerging trends.

AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative will shape a long-term vision for the future of water and chart a course for a successful and sustainable water sector. 

AWWA offers Safety First and Water System Operations (WSO) training video subscriptions for utilities and water professionals.

AWWA’s eLearning curriculum also offers a wide variety of training videos.

AWWA membership provides access to water industry publications, local AWWA Section membership, networking opportunities, industry news and information, and discounts on conferences, training, books, manuals, and AWWA Standards. Benefits vary by membership type. 

AWWA offers several different membership types from Student, Individual, Operator and Organizational membership.

Click below to learn more and join online or contact Member Services directly at

service@awwa.org

303.794.7711 or 800.926.7337

Individual members receive access to Journal AWWA, Opflow, and AWWA Water Science, local AWWA Section membership, the AWWA Connections Newsletter, as well as discounts on conference attendance, eLearning, webinars, books, AWWA Standards, and manuals. 

Utility members with 5,000 or more service connections, and service provider members, receive an online subscription to view AWWA Standards. All employees of the organization receive discounts on conferences, eLearning, webinars, books, AWWA Standards, and manuals. Employees with AWWA membership receive access to Journal AWWA, Opflow, and AWWA Water Science, local AWWA Section Membership, the AWWA Connections Newsletter, as well as discounts on conferences, eLearning, webinars, books, AWWA Standards, and manuals. 

There are 43 local AWWA Sections across North America. Sections connect water professionals through conferences, training, scholarships, networking opportunities, and local industry news and information. 

Volunteering with AWWA shapes the future of water while building your professional connections, sharing your expertise, and advancing the water community. Join more than 4,500 volunteers serving on over 250 committees. 

AWWA provides opportunities to contribute to the water community by serving on technical and educational councils, participating on AWWA Standards committees, publishing articles, presenting at conferences, and sharing expertise through webinars. 

AWWA’s 50,000 members represent a unique opportunity to reach water professionals across the industry. Advertising opportunities include, exhibiting at conferences, sponsorships for events, webinars, and programs, as well as print, web, email, and advertorial advertising.

AWWA offers Certificates of Completion for most online and in-person programs. These certificates may be used to support Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs); however, approval is determined by the applicable licensing or certification agency. 

AWWA hosts more than 50 expert-led webinars each year on a wide range of water topics. Webinars are recorded for on-demand viewing and can be purchased individually or through an annual subscription for individuals or teams. 

AWWA also offers a vast catalog of eLearning courses for users to learn at their own pace. Many states will approve AWWA eLearning courses for continuing education credits. 

The AWWA Career Center connects job seekers with employers across the water sector and provides career resources, including resume feedback and career advice, to help build the workforce needed to keep safe and sustainable water flowing everywhere.

AWWA’s Water System Operations (WSO) materials provide instruction on the fundamental practices and principles of water treatment and distribution through exam preparation resources, publications, and eLearning courses. 

AWWA offers the Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA) to help develop future leaders in the water industry, as well as the AWWA Mentorship Program for students and young professionals. 

Water Equation, AWWA’s philanthropic initiative, facilitates scholarships funded by AWWA, corporate partners, and the Water Operator Continuing Education Fund. Additional scholarship opportunities are available through local AWWA Sections.