AWWA Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is building an inclusive water community that sustains a skilled workforce, invests in young leaders, embraces diversity, and fosters a sense of belonging.

AWWA strongly believes the success of our organization, community, and society 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 additionally support equitable and accessible opportunities within our events and organizations. We will listen to our staff and members, learning from their vast talents and experiences, and act to expand our knowledge and vision by including diverse voices in our dialogue, creating a solid sense of belonging.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Believes

AWWA believes education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of physical, cognitive, or socio-economic differences. We collaborate with stakeholders to remove barriers and provide reasonable accommodations.

Produces

Our programs, policies, and resources are produced with diverse perspectives in mind, encouraging equitable outcomes for all participants.

Integrates

We integrate diverse perspectives into our programs, ensuring that learners encounter a wide range of voices, histories, and experiences when attending our conferences and events.

Recruits & Retains

AWWA actively recruits and retains a diverse staff and leadership team. We invest in professional development that enhances cultural competency and equips our team to address bias and discrimination.

Designs

We intentionally design our brand standards and materials with accessibility standards at the forefront. We prioritize making them usable for various individuals, regardless of format.

Our Commitments

AWWA will advance diversity of membership, leadership, and staff. AWWA recommends the adoption of DEIB 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.

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 water sector 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.

To sustain this endeavor, AWWA acknowledges that, by listening and learning, we will discover new policies and practices that need to be incorporated to support a culture of DEIB + accessibility. AWWA will continually act by enhancing our policies and practices to celebrate and encourage the expansion of our knowledge and mission. These may include, but are not limited to:

Increasing training and sharing of sound practices and resources
Amplifying visibility 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 DEIB committees
Collaborating with established expert organizations, offering guidance for industry DEIB efforts

AWWA’s DEIB + A centered programs

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. AWWA is intentionally recruiting staff candidates of varying backgrounds and perspectives.

Read our AWWA Non-Discrimination Policy.

Origination date: June 2021
Revised: July 2024

Diversity and Member Inclusion Committee

The Diversity and Member Inclusion Committee (DMIC) is an association level committee focused on leading AWWA in fostering a more diverse and inclusive organization that values individual differences, creating a collaborative and welcoming culture throughout the AWWA community. The DMIC was first established in 1990.

Diverse Leadership & Expanding the Water Workforce

The AWWA/WaterNow Alliance Transformative Water Leadership Academy (TWLA) is where the next generation of water utility leaders focus on the foundations of sustainable community leadership: how to integrate social, environmental, and financial concerns into important decisions about water utilities.

Diversity Standard

The creation and publication of a Diversity Standard: AWWA G415, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practices. Currently in process and expected to be ready for publication in 2026.

Diversity in Water

‘Diversity in Water’ focus at our Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE), including educational sessions, guided discussions, and networking.

AWWA Scholarship Program

AWWA Scholarship Program, supported by Water Equation, including four diversity driven scholarships funding female and/or underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students pursuing education in the water sector.

Community Engineering Corps

Community Engineering Corps provides pro-bono consulting services to disadvantaged utilities and communities experiencing water and sanitation infrastructure challenges.

Accessibility

AWWA Conference and Events team makes every effort to plan accessible events, including visual, mobility and F&B considerations. Registration forms ask about general needs for an optimal experience, and our team responds to arrange suitable accommodation.