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Water Quality Technology Conference
Discover the latest science, research, and engineering and solutions to fight drinking water contamination.
November 9-13, 2025
Tacoma, WA
North American Water Loss
Lose Less Water, Capture More Revenue
December 2-4, 2025
Louisville, KY
Membrane Technology Conference
Discover new innovations in advanced water treatment at the AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference.
February 2-5, 2026
Myrtle Beach, SC
Annual Conference & Expo
Join water heroes at one of the largest and most important global water gatherings.
June 21-24, 2026
Washington, D.C.
AWWA & Water Community Updates
From regulatory updates to thought leadership articles, find the latest insights.
Regulatory Updates
Trends in the Industry from AWWA Publications
Cooling the Cloud: Water Utilities in a Data-Driven World
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing element of the nation’s economy. The physical infrastructure needed for AI is primarily housed in data centers, which are also used to meet the needs of other digital services. Data centers power these services by providing the processing, storage, and networking needed to run them. This report discusses the opportunities for and impacts to the water sector and strategies to address them.
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Story about hacks of water systems
On Sunday, Oct. 12, 60 Minutes on CBS aired a story about organized Chinese hackers targeting critical infrastructure throughout the United States, including water treatment plants, power plants, and telecommunications. The story described an incident at the Littleton Electric Light Department and the Littleton Water Department (LELWD) in Massachusetts. The utility was hacked by Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored Chinese hacking group.
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Federal shutdown, potential disruptions to water programs
Funding for federal agencies and programs lapsed as of Oct. 1, when U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on spending for Fiscal Year 2026. During a shutdown, all programs that are dependent on current-year appropriations are discontinued until funding is restored. Programs with advance appropriations, like those funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, may continue to operate. Programs with unexpired prior-year appropriations, like Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, may also continue to operate.
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Cooling the Cloud: Water Utilities in a Data-Driven World
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing element of the nation’s economy. The physical infrastructure needed for AI is primarily housed in data centers, which are also used to meet the needs of other digital services. Data centers power these services by providing the processing, storage, and networking needed to run them. This report discusses the opportunities for and impacts to the water sector and strategies to address them.
Get the Report
Story about hacks of water systems
On Sunday, Oct. 12, 60 Minutes on CBS aired a story about organized Chinese hackers targeting critical infrastructure throughout the United States, including water treatment plants, power plants, and telecommunications. The story described an incident at the Littleton Electric Light Department and the Littleton Water Department (LELWD) in Massachusetts. The utility was hacked by Volt Typhoon, a state-sponsored Chinese hacking group.
Read More
Federal shutdown, potential disruptions to water programs
Funding for federal agencies and programs lapsed as of Oct. 1, when U.S. Congress failed to reach an agreement on spending for Fiscal Year 2026. During a shutdown, all programs that are dependent on current-year appropriations are discontinued until funding is restored. Programs with advance appropriations, like those funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, may continue to operate. Programs with unexpired prior-year appropriations, like Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, may also continue to operate.
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Karl Linden Honored With 2025 A.P. Black Research Award
The A.P. Black Research Award was established in 1967 in honor of Alvin Percy Black to recognize outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply rendered over an appreciable period of time. The recipient of the 2025 A.P. Black Award is Karl Linden.
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Executing a Pilot Program to Guide PFAS Treatment Improvements
Water utilities seeking effective treatment methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances will benefit from developing a systematic approach to assess and pilot various treatment technologies.
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Indirect Electrochemical Regeneration of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) – Coated Media
Manganese removal is a frequent treatment objective. Current treatment methods rely on chemical oxidants, which limit applicability. Electrochemical regeneration of MnOx-coated media is a novel, reagent-free approach.
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Karl Linden Honored With 2025 A.P. Black Research Award
The A.P. Black Research Award was established in 1967 in honor of Alvin Percy Black to recognize outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply rendered over an appreciable period of time. The recipient of the 2025 A.P. Black Award is Karl Linden.
Read More
Executing a Pilot Program to Guide PFAS Treatment Improvements
Water utilities seeking effective treatment methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances will benefit from developing a systematic approach to assess and pilot various treatment technologies.
Read More
Indirect Electrochemical Regeneration of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) – Coated Media
Manganese removal is a frequent treatment objective. Current treatment methods rely on chemical oxidants, which limit applicability. Electrochemical regeneration of MnOx-coated media is a novel, reagent-free approach.
Read More
Standards Written & Maintained by Experts
Stay current with the state of the industry through AWWA Standards. Since our first standard was published in 1908, we continue to publish standards to help the water community evolve with changing times. Now, with more than 190+ standards produced to-date, trust AWWA Standards for credibility, quality assurance, and a true industry-wide consensus.
AWWA Standards address all products and processes related to the water industry. From source to storage, from treatment and distribution, our ever-growing repository of resources keeps water professionals aware of minimum requirements and operating safely.
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Collaborating For the Future of Water
AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative will establish a long-term vision for the future of water. Through collaborative, intentional and inclusive discourse, we will chart a prosperous path for the water community. Water 2050 will foster partnerships and cross-sector collaboration that extend beyond our industry to benefit the global community.
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Comprehensive & Authoritative Materials
Knowledge flows like water — constantly evolving. Explore AWWA publications and stay ahead in the dynamic world of water.
Water Treatment Operator Training Handbook Fourth Edition
Producing and delivering the highest quality drinking water takes training, knowledge, and attention to detail. Water operators do it every day with the top training and best practices they get from this popular handbook.
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Resilience Through Cyber-Informed Engineering: An Engineering and Operations Approach to Cybersecurity
Water and wastewater systems are increasingly reliant on digital technologies—yet many remain vulnerable to cyber threats that could disrupt essential services. Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) empowers utility leaders, engineers, operators, and planners to design and operate infrastructure that anticipates and withstands these risks. By integrating cybersecurity into core engineering practices, CIE strengthens resilience, protects public health, and ensures continuity of service for communities across the “One Water” sector.
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Wastewater Microbiology: A Handbook for Operators
Operators play a vital role in protecting public health and the environment—and understanding the biology behind wastewater treatment is essential to that mission. Microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, metazoa, algae, and fungi are the engines of pollutant removal, working at every stage from preliminary screening to advanced disinfection. With updated guidance reflecting today’s regulatory standards and treatment challenges, this edition empowers operators to manage biological systems with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
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M80 Biological Drinking Water Treatment
Biological treatment processes are a sustainable method for removing an array of both inorganic and organic contaminants from water.
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Water Basics for Decision Makers: Local Officials’ Guide to Water & Wastewater Systems, Second Edition
Water and wastewater utilities are the backbone of public health, economic development, and environmental protection. As expectations rise and challenges evolve—from regulatory shifts to infrastructure aging and workforce transitions—utility leaders must be equipped to navigate complexity with clarity and purpose. This revised edition of Water Basics for Decision Makers empowers public officials, managers, and operators with foundational knowledge and forward-looking insights to deliver safe, sustainable, and equitable service in a rapidly changing world.
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Plain Talk About Drinking Water, Sixth Edition
The first edition of this book was published more than 30 years ago. The goal of that book was to provide explanations for some of the questions that surround drinking water. Where does my tap water come from? How is it treated? Why does ice float? And to explain these things and more, in simple but factual language—using “plain talk.”
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Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook
AWWA’s most popular handbook for distribution operator personnel is an indispensable reference for operators and supervisors alike on water distribution system operation and equipment.
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AWWA Small Systems Field Guide: Water and Wastewater
Operators of small water systems do it all — O&M, management, sampling, customer service, everything. This field guide may be the handiest book ever written for these unsung heroes of public health protection.
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Disinfection of Pipelines and Storage Facilities Field Guide
Field practices for preventing microbial contamination of water mains, storage tanks, and other distribution system components.
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Water Quality & Treatment
The ultimate engineering and operations reference book on water quality and treatment plant processes.
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Total Water Management: Practices for a Sustainable Future
Total water management is the exercise of stewardship and shared governance of water resources among utilities, business, and government for the greatest good of society and the environment.
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The Water Dictionary Handbook
Developed specifically for water and wastewater professionals, this unique dictionary has more than 15,000 definitions for water-related words, phrases, and acronyms.
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Forecasting Urban Water Demand, Second Edition
Practical, detailed approaches for developing accurate water demand forecasts.
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Design-Build for Water and Wastewater Projects
Complete guide to planning, procuring, and executing design-build projects for water and wastewater systems.
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Maintenance Management for Water Utilities
Regular maintenance of water utility equipment and facilities is absolutely critical to the utility’s mission of delivering safe drinking water nonstop, year in and year out. This book will show water utilities of all sizes how to develop and operate an efficient, cost-effective maintenance management program.
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AWWA Water Operator Field Guide
Designed for in-the-field use, this indispensable book is ideal for quickly referencing chemical and mathematic formulas, chemical feed rates, MCLs, US/metric conversions, pipe and equipment data, operational parameters, construction and installation information, OSHA and USEPA regulations, and much more.
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Diagnosing Taste and Odor Problem Field Guide
This field guide provides all the information water utilities need to diagnose and remove objectionable tastes and odors at the tap. Tastes and odors in tap water are the leading source of customer complaints. Although common tastes and odors in tap water are harmless, many customers perceive them as an indication the water could be unsafe to drink.
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The Story of Drinking Water
Kids in grades 4–6 learn about water in this fun, colorful booklet that tells the fascinating story of water and water treatment. An ideal handout for plant tours, school visits, and Drinking Water Week.
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AWWA Wastewater Operator Field Guide
This handy field reference contains all the information, charts, graphs, formulas, and definitions that are needed by wastewater system operators in performing their daily duties.
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Reliable, In-Depth Resources
Understand the current state of the water community and work toward a sustainable future state with resources from AWWA. Engineers, operators, utility managers, and other water professionals rely on our resources when they need credible, understandable information.
Whether you are a student just starting your career or a seasoned professional, our interactive tools, insights and programs expand your knowledge and prepare you for what is to come.
Interactive Tools
Learn how to optimize operational performance, inform management decisions, standardize tasks and more with the support of AWWA’s interactive tools.
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Industry Insights
Explore thought leadership on key issues and opportunities from AWWA’s knowledgeable industry partners and supporters.
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Programs
Learn about standards, benchmarking, leadership programs, pro-bono engineering consulting opportunities for underserved communities, and the Partnerships for Safe and Clean Water. Optimize your utility, discover growth opportunities and drive an impact with AWWA programs.
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Supporting the Next Generation of Water Professionals
Water Equation is an initiative of AWWA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our efforts help fund workforce advancement, scholarships, young professionals, pro-bono engineering and consulting services for underserved communities, and leadership programs. Water Equation is committed to fulfilling the critical need to ensure that the water community has the necessary workforce to provide clean and safe water to communities worldwide.
The future of clean and safe water depends on a strong workforce and collaborative partnerships. When you donate to Water Equation, 100% of your contribution funds programs dedicated to the water workforce and closing the improved infrastructure access gap.
Donate Now
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