Indiana AWWA Celebrates 100 Years
The Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association celebrated its 100th anniversary at its conference in Indianapolis Feb. 19-21.
"For the past 100 years, the INAWWA has worked to educate Hoosiers on the importance of safe and adequate water and to keep its members up-to-date on requirements, regulations and technology in the industry," said Dan E. Hood, chair of the organization. "We take great pride in this milestone and the efforts it represents and look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence."
Founded in 1881, the American Water Works Association is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to providing knowledge, information and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water.
About 27 years after the national organization's inception, Indiana water operators met with state and federal officials to study Indiana's water supply and discuss its purification and preservation. As a result of this meeting, they established a new organization to oversee these critical issues, which is known today as the Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association.
Over the past 100 years, the local section has grown from the first 40 conference attendees to an organization more than 1,400 members strong. More than 37 percent of the municipal utilities in Indiana are members, and many utility and related industry personnel belong individually.
The group has met annually since the first conference in 1908, setting a record attendance of 1,363 people in 2007. This year, nearly 1,400 people and 130 exhibitors are expected to gather in Indianapolis for the educational seminar themed, "A Century of Service – A Century of Success."
Other notable, ongoing initiatives include: participating in the InWARN network, a system of utilities helping utilities in times of disaster; promoting legislative advocacy; fundraising for the Water for People Program that improves systems and water quality for third-world countries; offering various awards and grants relating to water safety; and training water operators, among other work.