The Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association (GAWWA) is dedicated to providing resources for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in Georgia. GAWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the entire water community. GAWWA works cooperatively with the Georgia Association of Water Professionals to achieve these goals and strengthen public confidence in drinking water. Through our collective strength we can become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people of Georgia.
GAWWA has a strong history of leadership and advocacy for water issues. Georgia provided early leadership to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) including:
5th president of AWWA was Benjamin F. Jones of Gwinnett County.
15th Annual Conference was hosted in 1895 in Piedmont Park during “The Great Cotton States Exposition.”
15th president of AWWA in 1895 was William G. Richards from Atlanta, who was also a recognized leader in coagulation and filtration.
18th president of AWWA in 1899 was R.M. Clayton from Atlanta, who with Richards is credited for the decision to tap the Chattahoochee River for Atlanta’s water supply source.
Georgia continues to show strong leadership in AWWA with recent accomplishments including:
128th president of AWWA in 2008 was Mike Leonard of Roswell.
2008 AWWA National Annual Conference hosted in Atlanta.
Eight consecutive annual education awards from 1998 through 2006.
Please visit the Georgia Section News page for additional information on the Section and Section history.
American Water Works Association
The AWWA was established in 1881 by 22 dedicated water supply professionals, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) has grown to a membership of over 57,000 individuals, utilities, and other water professionals. AWWA is an international, non-profit, scientific and educational association dedicated to improving drinking water for people everywhere.
Water For People
In 1991, AWWA founded Water For People with a vision of a world where everyone has safe drinking water and no one dies from a water-related disease. WFP now works in 11 developing countries in Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. “Water For People’s founders had a clear, simple and world-changing vision that all people should have access to safe water,” said David LaFrance, AWWA executive director. “AWWA is proud that 20 years ago we were there when Water For People started, and we continue our pride as a committed giving partner for the future.”
