Who We Are
For 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues, as well as a top technical resource for water management, sustainability and ecosystem protection interests.
NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. The Association's unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for all member utilities, and ensures they have the tools necessary to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all.
Our vision is to represent every utility as a NACWA member, helping build a strong and sustainable clean water future.
What We Offer
Community
Our ever-growing member community is our greatest strength, with member utilities of every size--small, medium and large--and affiliates from every region of the US. The Association's multiple venues for in-person & digital peer-to-peer networking, high-impact events & work groups/committees, national awards programs, dedicated staff and more allow members to choose their level of engagement, and help take their organizations to the next level.For more information visit Member Benefits
Advocacy
As the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy, we are the clean water sector's collective voice to EPA, Congress and government agencies nationwide. With open communication and a collaborative environment, ensure that NACWA's representation is inclusive and pragmatic as well as potent and forward-looking.
For more information visit Advocacy & AnalysisResources
Our wide array of publications provide practical, usable information for clean water utilities and affiliates to innovate and improve their operations, while maintaining affordability for all the communities they serve. Our regular advocacy alerts, legislative and regulatory news & updates, legal references, white papers and more ensure that clean water utilities and affiliates have the cutting knowledge base to make big decisions and plan for a clean water future.
For more information visit ResourcesThe San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Drives Social Change in its Community
After a decade of meaningful impacts to local communities, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) landmark Social Impact Partnership (SIP) program was codified into local ordinance recently with unanimous support from the SFPUC Commission, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and Mayor London Breed.
The program invites companies competing for SFPUC-qualifying contracts to voluntarily submit a proposal detailing how they would deliver commitments as either volunteer hours and/or financial contributions to non-profit organizations and/or public education providers in one of four main areas: 1. Job Exposure, Training and Internships; 2. Small Business Support; 3. Education; and 4. Environment and Community Health. The SIP program awards bonus points in the competitive bidding process for firms who commit to giving back to the community.
The SIP program blends corporate social responsibility values with the SFPUC Commission’s three guiding policies: Environmental Justice, Community Benefits, and Racial Justice. SIP commitments support local communities in addressing inequities, building community trust, improving quality of life, and creating meaningful impact. As the SFPUC builds critical infrastructure for the city and surrounding counties where they have projects, the agency also aims to support building more just and equitable communities.
Within months of the ordinance being approved, SFPUC passed rules and regulations to guide the administration of the program, and a public dashboard has been launched to ensure transparency and accountability for the program. The dashboard, available on the SFPUC website, publicly presents every dollar and volunteer hour that has been committed and delivered over the life of the program, and every public school and non-profit organization that has received social impact commitments.
For the last decade, the SIP program has led to deep, meaningful, and positive benefits in communities in San Francisco and across the SFPUC’s service territory. There are 88 contracts where companies have voluntarily committed to deliver volunteer hours and financial contributions to local public schools and nonprofit organizations. With the new legislation, the program now has even stronger tools to maximize transparency and accountability.
NACWA awarded the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission a 2024 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Community Leadership category for its valuable program. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Board Of Directors
NACWA's Board of Directors embodies the clean water sector's most accomplished leadership, informed by decades of collective experience and expertise in water utility operation and management. The Board leads NACWA's governance, allowing it to serve its members with focus and integrity.
Staff Directory
The Association is its people. And NACWA's dedicated staff defines the organization's commitment to passionate advocacy, forward thinking leadership and ethical service to members and the clean water community as a whole. They're dedicated and energetic. They're also a lot of fun. Give us a ring...
Member Agencies & Affiliates
The strength of NACWA is its member agencies and affiliates, from publicly-owned wastewater treatment agencies to corporate affiliates from throughout the clean water management chain. Our unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for all members, ensuring they have the tools and expertise necessary to help shape the clean water landscape both locally and nationally.
Committees
NACWA’s committee structure invites Association members to work collectively to shape national clean water policy. NACWA’s committees not only help develop the Association's positions on policy and legislation, they help build and foster NACWA's peer-to-peer networking strength, while achieving key initiatives that benefit all members.
Awards
Each year, NACWA recognizes the outstanding commitment, innovation and achievements of individuals and agencies through our national awards programs. From contributions to environmental protection, to diligence in compliance, to even intangible positive impact. NACWA is honored to highlight service excellence within the clean water sector.
Join NACWA
Engage and collaborate with member utilities of all sizes—small, medium and large—with affiliates/stakeholders from all regions of the country. Membership is not only a path to improving operations or enhancing professional development, it’s a unique opportunity to join the strongest unified voice for shared clean water interests nationwide.