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 ResourcesLouisville MSD Engages Next Generation of Engineers through Creative College Curriculum
Dedicated to being an innovative regional utility for safe, clean waterways, Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (Louisville MSD) provides three key services - wastewater treatment, stormwater/drainage management, and flood protection - to the nearly 619,000 Louisville residents as well as the surrounding region. And it’s the job of 650 MSD employees to protect the community’s overall health and safety through these services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Louisville MSD values its employees and works hard to educate and empower them, and those in our future workforce - like the college students at the University of Louisville (UofL) Speed School of Engineering. Many of whom could be employed by Louisville MSD one day.
To demonstrate the organization’s commitment to education and advancement, Louisville MSD has worked alongside UofL to develop the freshman-level “Cornerstone” course. The curriculum has students take a deep-dive into MSD’s infrastructure and the role of the combined sewer system, wet-weather storage and wastewater treatment process.
To engage the first-year students, Louisville MSD developed a video that explains how wet weather storage solutions directly benefit water quality and community health and safety. The video further details how combined and separate sewer systems work, how they differ and the types of infrastructure projects being built as part of MSD's multi-billion-dollar Consent Decree investment to reduce combined sewer overflows. Through the video and classroom curriculum, up to 480 students per year design, build, program, and optimize a physical model using environmental and engineering principles they have learned.
In addition to its important classroom application, Louisville MSD is educating customers on the benefits of safe, clean waterways; developing new and innovative ways to comply with the Consent Decree commitments; and attracting a new, talented workforce at a time when finding quality engineering applicants is highly competitive.
With this unique model – classroom curriculum, video education, practical construction, and community awareness – Louisville MSD’s clean water workforce has a direct opportunity to forge purposeful connections and expand the organization’s reach in a holistic and meaningful way.
NACWA awarded Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District a 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Public Information & Education: Video category for its creative and engaging video. 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.