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 ResourcesConnecting Community and Conservation: SESD Empowers Residents to Protect the Environment
With community engagement essential for effective wastewater management, the South Essex Sewerage District (SESD) in Salem, Massachusetts enhanced its website to better inform and involve residents in efforts to keep local waters and the environment clean. Recognizing that the public plays a critical role in protecting infrastructure and maintaining service efficiency, the District’s new website provides clear, practical guidance on how community members can help prevent sewer system disruptions caused by improper disposal practices.
This initiative focuses on reducing the amount of wipes and other non-flushable items entering the wastewater system—materials that have caused costly damage to SESD’s aging infrastructure. “Most residents aren’t aware that something as small as a baby wipe or disinfecting wipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage to our infrastructure,” said Erik Nowak, Superintendent of Maintenance. “That damage not only drives up repair costs but can also threaten our environment.”
To combat these challenges, SESD’s updated website serves as a hub for education and outreach. It highlights simple steps residents and businesses can take to prevent pollution, avoid sewer backups, and extend the life of critical equipment. The site also features a news feed with real-time updates on system issues, plant operations, and community advisories.
Last year alone, SESD spent over $75,000 on labor costs unclogging pumps due to wipes and other debris flushed down toilets and drains. With more than 25 years since the last plant-wide upgrade, replacement parts are increasingly difficult to find—making public cooperation more important than ever.
By promoting environmental stewardship and encouraging responsible wastewater practices, SESD continues to fulfill its mission to protect public health and the quality of local waterways. Established in 1925, the South Essex Sewerage District provides wastewater treatment and conveyance services to approximately 190,000 residents across Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, and Salem, as well as parts of Middleton and several state entities on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
NACWA awarded the South Essex Sewerage District a 2025 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Public Information & Education: Media category for advancing environmental awareness through wastewater education. 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.