Diversity and Inclusion

AWWA Policy Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) strongly believes the success of our organization, industry, and society as a whole depends on the full engagement of all its members. AWWA affirms its core principle of advancing Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) by creating a culture that reflects the communities we serve. We will listen to our members, learning from their vast talents and experiences, and act to expand our knowledge and vision by including diverse voices in our dialogue. To achieve these goals, AWWA:

Commits: AWWA will advance diversity of membership, leadership, and staff in all AWWA operating units. AWWA strongly recommends the adoption of D&I policies and practices by all members and organizations in the water sector. These policies and practices should promote and provide opportunities, consistent with applicable law, encouraging the diversity of staff, membership, and leadership in volunteerism and employment.

Listens & Learns: By listening to our members and the communities we serve, we learn about their unique challenges and needs and how AWWA and our members, as industry leaders, can work to address those challenges and needs. AWWA is dedicated to the open exchange and incorporation of diverse ideas and perspectives. AWWA believes the inclusion of diverse perspectives enhances our ability to serve our members and communities.

Acts: AWWA acknowledges that, by listening and learning, we will discover new policies and practices that need to be incorporated to support a culture of D&I. AWWA will continually act by enhancing our policies and practices to celebrate and encourage the expansion of our knowledge and vision. These may include, but are not limited to:

• increasing D&I training and sharing of sounds practices, and resources,
• amplifying visibility of D&I at events and in marketing and communications,
• increasing the diversity of membership and leadership of the Councils, Divisions, and Committees as well as the number of Section-level D&I committees,
• collaborating with established D&I expert organizations, offering guidance for industry D&I efforts,
• implementing a D&I blueprint to be used to ensure D&I values are incorporated in board actions.

The history of AWWA is the history of the people who have committed themselves to achieving the purpose set forth more than a century ago, now simply stated as creating a better world through better water. This is best achieved when we expand our voices and perspectives.

Practices specified in this policy statement are consistent with all other pertinent AWWA policy statements.

Adopted by the Board of Directors on Jan. 21, 2001, reaffirmed Jan.16, 2005, revised Jan. 17, 2010, revised Jan. 22, 2012 and revised June 10, 2021.