The AWWA Standards Program is recognized internationally as a source for scientific and management reference resources for the water community.

In reviewing the success of the Safe Drinking Water Act after 1974, senior EPA officials cite the vital role that AWWA played as a neutral meeting ground, particularly at the local level.

[6] In May 1985, the United States Environmental Protection Agency entered into a cooperative agreement with a consortium led by NSF International to develop voluntary third-party consensus standards and a certification program for all direct and indirect drinking water additives.

The consortium is responsible for the cooperative effort of manufacturers, regulators, product users and other interested parties that develop and maintain the NSF standards.

Specialty conferences are held throughout the year on topics including water quality, distribution systems and utility management.