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.
Learn More
Building a DEIB Future
AWWA promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in publications, training and event programming, and standards development.
Transformative Water Leadership Academy
The Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA), a collaboration between AWWA and the WaterNow Alliance, is a 10-month program where a diverse cohort of emerging water utility leaders learn how to integrate social, environmental, and financial concerns into important water utility decisions. Working collaboratively in-person and online, cohort members learn how to balance short- and long-term utility priorities while creating value for all stakeholders.
Learn More
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.
Read More
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.
Diversity Scholarships
Four AWWA scholarships (funded by donations to Water Equation) support graduate and undergraduate students from demographics that are underrepresented in STEM fields.
Learn More
Historically Black Colleges & Universities: AWWA Virtual Student Chapter
AWWA offers a virtual student chapter for students at an Historically Black College & University. If you’re considering a career in water, the American Water Works Association HBCU Virtual Student Chapter can help you explore this option more fully, with special access to professional learning opportunities, networking, industry research, scholarships and events.
Learn More
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.
Submit a Nominee
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
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
See All Events
DEIB Resources from AWWA
The following AWWA resources include information, articles, and more related to DEIB in the water sector.
Building A DE&I Culture
View an AWWA webinar on “Building A DE&I Culture.” The expert panel explores best practices for building diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) into your workplace culture.
Watch The Video
State of the Water Industry
Since 2004, AWWA has published the annual State of the Water Industry Report based on survey results to help water utilities, service providers, regulators and researchers identify and prepare for challenges, opportunities, and trends impacting the water community.
State of the Water Industry
Water 2050 Social Demographics Report
AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative will shape a long-term vision of the future of water that will chart a course for a successful and sustainable water sector. The Social Demographics Think Tank Report developed nine proactive recommendations considering key social and demographic shifts and their impact on the future of water.
Learn More
A Water Utility Manager’s Guide to Community Stewardship
Community stewardship is the practice of leveraging the utility’s assets and operations to benefit the larger community, lessen negative impacts from utility activities, and provide service equitably across the service area, particularly for traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
Download Now
DEIB Articles From AWWA
The following AWWA resources include information, articles, and more related to DEIB in the water sector.
Leading a One Water Journey to 2050: Partnerships in the Community
April 15, 2024: Overview of the many ways that EPCOR Water Services (Edmonton, Alberta) is modernizing design standards to support local DEI.
Read Full Article
Building on Community Connections to Foster Environmental Justice
Feb. 15, 2024: New funding sources and “environmental big data” are opportunities for water utilities to enhance protect public health in underserved communities.
Read Full Article
Cultivate Organizational Culture Through Growth and Planning
Feb. 15, 2024: In the landscape of modern businesses, organizational culture is the soil that feeds a vibrant ecosystem — affecting everything from employee satisfaction and productivity to organizational innovation and reputation.
Read Full Article
Leading a One Water Journey to 2050: Partnerships in the Community
April 15, 2024: Overview of the many ways that EPCOR Water Services (Edmonton, Alberta) is modernizing design standards to support local DEI.
Read Full Article
Building on Community Connections to Foster Environmental Justice
Feb. 15, 2024: New funding sources and “environmental big data” are opportunities for water utilities to enhance protect public health in underserved communities.
Read Full Article
Cultivate Organizational Culture Through Growth and Planning
Feb. 15, 2024: In the landscape of modern businesses, organizational culture is the soil that feeds a vibrant ecosystem — affecting everything from employee satisfaction and productivity to organizational innovation and reputation.
Read Full Article
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
Learn More
Shannon Abbott
Water Utility Manager, City of Calgary
Learn More
Denita Bonhart
Manager of Special Projects, Cleveland Division of Water
Learn More
Aidan Cecchetti
Water Resource Control Engineer at State Water Resources Control Board; Ph.D.
Learn More
Alando Chappel
Public Works Director, Grand Haven Charter Township
Learn More
Alex Chen
Director of Drinking Water and Utility O&M for Seattle Public Utilities
Learn More
Dedra Ecklund
Associate, Senior Project Manager, Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc.
Learn More
Darlene Helm
Deputy Water Services Director, City of Phoenix and AWWA Board Liaison
Learn More
Sheryl Hopkins
Vice President of Human Resources, Badger Meter
Learn More
Brianna Huber
Executive Director at Her2O™ and Chemist at City of East Moline
Learn More
Amanda Jones
Project Manager, Tucson Water; Founder Women in Water
Learn More
Sapna Mulki
Principal, Water Savvy Solutions
Learn More
Roderick Sherman
Senior Superintendent, Kentucky American Water
Learn More
Carol Walczyk
Vice President, Engineering – Technical Services, Veolia North America, AWWA Executive Committee Liaison
Learn More
Hayley Williams
Training Specialist, Charlotte Water
Learn More
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.
Read Now
Equal Aqua
Collaborative platform that aims to deepen the dialogue on gender diversity and inclusion in water sector jobs.
Learn More
Women for Water Circle of Giving
AWWA Water Equation group to benefit youth programs in the water industry.
Learn More
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.
Read Now
Equal Aqua
Collaborative platform that aims to deepen the dialogue on gender diversity and inclusion in water sector jobs.
Learn More
Women for Water Circle of Giving
AWWA Water Equation group to benefit youth programs in the water industry.
Learn More
See All Articles
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.
Read Full Article
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.
Read Full Article
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.
Read Full Article
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.
Read Full Article
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.
Read Full Article
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.
Read Full Article
See All Articles