International Water Association
(Self-Description : edited August 2008)
IWA has its roots in two strong associations: the International Water Supply Association (IWSA) and the International Water Quality Association (IAWQ). IWSA was established in 1947 while IAWQ was originally formed as the International Association for Water Pollution Research in 1965. IWSA and IAWQ came together in a merger in 1999 to form IWA.
Today, IWA is a member driven organization. There are three member types within the Association: Individual, Corporate and Governing Members. In aggregate our members involve and represent approximately 10,000 individuals worldwide. The Association is a non-profit organization, self-governing and responsible to its Governing Members. A Governing Assembly, Board of Directors, a Strategic Council and various committees guide and direct the Association.
Vision
Connecting water professionals worldwide to lead the development of effective and sustainable approaches to water management.
Mission
To create and foster a global network of leading-edge water professionals through the provision of services and products to members, including conferences, publications and support for member groups. In addition, to represent the views of members in international forums and to project key messages to the sector at large, aimed at advancing best practice in sustainable water management.
WHAT WE DO
Conferences - Each year IWA organizes and sponsors many specialized conferences and seminars on a wide variety of topics in water management in locations worldwide to include: IWA World Water Congress, Annual Leading-edge conferences, specialty conferences and regional conferences.
Publications and Information Services - IWA Publishing, a wholly owned subsidiary of IWA, provides information services on all aspects of water, wastewater and related environmental fields. The publishing programme includes Water 21, the IWA membership magazine, a range of journals, books, IWA scientific and technical reports, manuals, reports and electronic services.
Specialist Groups are a kind of technical division. There are some 50 groups covering all important topics in the urban water management sector. Each group has its own programme of conferences and other meetings and a regular newsletter or web-based discussion forum.
Global Development Solutions - Through partnerships with other agencies and associations, IWA supports water professionals in developing countries and emerging economies. Activities focus particularly on peri-urban, small and medium sized cities and larger towns, and initiatives include development of local action plans, strengthening regional networks and advocacy on pragmatic pathways to the provision of sustainable water and sanitation services in developing countries.
Interest Groups represent specific sectors of the water industry such as: Utilities, Regulators, Researchers, Consultants and Manufacturers. Members of these groups collaborate to share experiences, debate key issues and to develop policy positions, best practice approaches, and to contribute to program development for conferences, workshops and publications.
Web-based Knowledge Networks - IWA’s website not only offers members the opportunity to gather information and news, but also to network with peers, exchange ideas, research and results through group forums and online communities available via the IWA members-only areas. E-mail alerting services are also available to get up-to-date information on articles published in journals and new book launches.
Forums permit ongoing collaboration among important segments of the membership. The IWA International Water Utility Leaders Forum is aimed at providing a forum for collaboration and action within the international community of utility CEOs.
Task Forces are periodically set up to develop specific responses to global or local policy agendas, establish technical best practice summaries and create detailed manuals of best practice, or to develop Association policy positions for advocacy purposes.
Regional Associations are established in areas of the world where IWA members in these areas have joined together in pursuit of common regional interests and collaboration. The regional associations typically hold regional conferences and maintain a secretariat.
www.iwahq.org/