Association Overview
Established in 1882, the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The association is the leading authority on education, training opportunities, and public outreach to protect and improve drinking water and water utility operations. NEWWA continues to be an instrument of change to advance the knowledge, science, government awareness, and public trust of the water works profession.

Mission Statement
The primary purpose of NEWWA is to promote public health, safety, and welfare through the advancement and dissemination of knowledge for improvement of the planning, design, construction, operation, management, and regulation of water works relating to the production and distribution of safe, potable drinking water.

Vision Statement
To inspire excellence in drinking water through the advancement of our membership and advocacy for sound public policy.

Brief History
NEWWA was born in an exciting place and time. The year was 1882, a vintage one in the period of American history known as the Era of Progress. The world was being remade in a burst of invention and enterprise, perhaps unequalled before or since. In 1882, cities were getting electric lights, telephones and - much less expensively - water at the turn of the faucet. The founding of NEWWA was very much a part of its time. The founders of NEWWA, in the spirit of the Era of Progress, were eager to improve their profession. The first President, James W. Lyon, in his first (and only) address, told his colleagues: "Our one great object is mutual improvement."

The association can be traced back to a meeting of three water works superintendents in Lowell, Massachusetts, in February of 1882. In April of that same year the association was formally organized. At the 1883 annual convention held in Worcester, Massachusetts, membership had grown to 43.

The following 100+ years were marked by growing membership, the development of the Journal of the New England Water Works Association, an awards system to encourage participation, and the establishment of formal relations with institutes such as the Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists. Other changes included the formation of 35 volunteer-based committees, the founding of the water works school, and a scholarship foundation for advancing knowledge and education. Today, NEWWA serves as a key resource for more than 2,900 members, including water utility managers, operators, consulting engineers, manufacturers' representatives, suppliers, educators, and interested citizens.

NEWWA continues the aspirations of our founding fathers to improve the water works profession. By providing and supporting research, industry-wide education and training, technical conferences, public and consumer information, and professional exchange programs, we are resolute in our commitment to meet and serve the ever-changing, more complex needs of the water works industry, our members, and the general public.