Our History

The Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association was created during a joint meeting of the Four States and Western Pennsylvania Sections at the 32nd Annual Conference of the Four States Section held at the Penn-Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia on October 20-22, 1948. At that time and prior to 1948, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Eastern Pennsylvania were members of the then Four States Section.  At this historic meeting, Eastern and Western Pennsylvania elected to join memberships, thus creating the Pennsylvania Section. Delaware, the District of Columbia, and Maryland joined together to create the Chesapeake Section.

The Section currently has almost 1,500 members.

The Section is governed by six officers and a Board of Directors. Two councils, numerous committees and staff have responsibility for planning and implementing the technical, management, administrative, and education programs of the section. Members are encouraged to actively participate in section programs.

The Section is divided into six districts to better serve the large Pennsylvania geographic area. District programs bring educational opportunities to members’ local areas, and district trustees represent their district on the Section’s Board of Directors.

The Pennsylvania Section’s annual conference, held annually in the spring, highlights the activities of the year. Opportunities abound in numerous technical sessions for education in all facets of public water supply. Social events provide many opportunities to meet new people working in the industry as well as renew old acquaintances. Exhibitors highlight the products, services and new equipment available to water works professionals as well as providing an opportunity for additional communication. The annual conference includes lunches and a banquet where new officers are inducted and awards for exemplary service to the water works industry are presented.

The Section publishes a newsletter and sends communications to keep members informed of news in the Pennsylvania water industry, upcoming meetings and educational programs.

Membership in the PA Section AWWA provides many opportunities for everyone involved with water supply in Pennsylvania, including those who are simply consumers.

See the membership page or contact our staff to learn how you can use the PA Section AWWA as your source for water related information as well as make a personal contribution to the betterment of the public water supply in Pennsylvania.