Awards

Our progressive series of awards honor extraordinary management and stellar workforce performance. 

2024 Awards Program

The association launched its annual awards program on January 29, 2024, inviting AMWA member utilities to apply for one of three utility management awards they are eligible for: Gold, Platinum, or Sustainability. The program consists of three steps, requiring member utilities to apply sequentially starting with the Gold Award, followed by the Platinum and Sustainability Awards; applications cannot be randomly submitted.

The Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance is based on the Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities and the Keys to Management Success (EUM). Any AMWA member utility that has never won a Gold Award is eligible to apply.

The Platinum Award for Utility Excellence is also based on the Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities and the Keys to Management Success. Any AMWA member utility that won a God Award in 2021 or earlier, or a Platinum Award for Sustainable Competitiveness Achievement in any year is eligible to apply. Past winners of the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence should not apply again.

The Sustainable Water Utility Management Award was created to recognize AMWA members who have committed to sustainable management. It is the third step in AMWA’s awards program, following the Gold and Platinum Awards. Any AMWA member utility that won a Platinum Award in 2021 or earlier is eligible to apply.

In addition, past winners of the Sustainability Award are eligible to apply to receive the award again, three years or more after receiving their previous Sustainability Award. Members who won the Sustainability Award in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 can apply this year.

The 2024 award submission period closes on June 28, 2024. 

A submission does not mean an automatic win. A distinguished panel of 3 peer judges will review each award application in August 2024, based on its merits scored against the awards criteria outlined in the corresponding application. Each application will have a score of pass or fail. AMWA will send emails to both those winning and not winning a 2024 award the first week of September 2024.  AMWA will present the awards at its 2024 Executive Management Conference, October 20-23, in Miami, Florida.

Environmental Justice and Equity Award

As the newest addition to AMWA’s award program last year, the independent Environmental Justice and Equity Award recognizes member utilities that commit to advancing equity and justice in their communities. The general criteria include: using assessment and planning, equity in access and costs, civic involvement in decision-making, and integrative strategies.

The 2024 award submission period closes on June 28, 2024. 

A submission does not mean an automatic win. A distinguished panel of 3 peer judges (from AMWA's Environmental Justice Committee, previous EJ Award winners, or subject matter experts in environmental justice and equity) will review each award application in August 2024, based on its merits scored against the awards criteria outlined in the corresponding application. Each application will have a score of pass or fail. AMWA will send emails to both those winning and not winning a 2024 award the first week of September 2024.  AMWA will present the awards at its 2024 Executive Management Conference, October 20-23, in Miami, Florida.

Donald R. Boyd and President's Awards

Through the Donald R. Boyd Award, AMWA acknowledges extraordinary personal service in the drinking water field. General criteria may include valuable service advancing public understanding and awareness, water quality research, or more general contributions deserving of recognition.

AMWA presents its President’s Award to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to improving water supply management.

For more information about the awards program or eligibility, please contact Antoinette Barber.