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 ResourcesMMSD and Partners Lead Impactful Effort to Restore Native Fish Migration at Kletzsch Dam
Kletzsch Dam is the largest remaining barrier to the passage of native fish in the lower 30 miles of the Milwaukee River. Located just 5 miles upstream from Lake Michigan, it limits reproduction of many fish by preventing them from reaching critical spawning and juvenile rearing habitat in the watershed.
More than a decade ago, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other aquatic ecology professionals in the region identified fish passage past Kletzsch Dam as a regional priority to protect and enhance existing populations of native fish as well as to allow for the re-establishment of Lake Sturgeon reproduction in the Milwaukee River.
The Kletzsch Dam Fish Passage project, led by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Milwaukee County Parks, was intended to address required dam repairs and to provide fish passage for native species within the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC).
This innovative cooperative partnership brought together the resources, expertise, and authorities necessary to achieve success. MMSD took the lead on implementing fish passage design and construction, along with the east abutment dam repairs. MMSD was brought on as a project partner because of their flood management responsibilities, technical expertise on this type of project, and the potential to assist in overcoming real estate challenges on the east bank. Wisconsin DNR provided technical assistance, oversight and funding for the fish passage design and implementation through funds they received from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, as well as matching funds for the dam repair through the Municipal Dam grant program. As the owner of the dam and fish passage, Milwaukee County Parks (MCP) continued to coordinate with MMSD on the project, providing final approval on design and long-term structure maintenance.
Construction of the project began in June 2023 and concluded in November 2023. Fish monitoring equipment was installed to detect tagged fish that move through the fishway. The data collected is not only used to monitor performance of the fishway but also to develop a better understanding of native fish migration behavior and swimming capabilities in the Milwaukee River, which will benefit other ecological restoration efforts in the Great Lakes region.
In recognition of the program’s success, NACWA awarded the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District a 2024 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Operations & Environmental Performance category. 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.