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MEMBER AWARDS

Celebrating the outstanding achievements and impact our members make to steward limited water resources and advance the adoption of water-efficient practices, products, and policies across North America.

Award Nominations

Know someone making a real impact in water conservation and efficiency? These peer-nominated awards honor leaders driving change in the water sector, including Excellence in Equity, Innovation, Up & Comer, and Water Star. Winners will be recognized at our Annual Water Efficiency & Conservation Symposium. Be sure to check back in early spring for the opening of the 2026 awards nomination window.

Annual Awards Overview

The Alliance for Water Efficiency proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements of our members through our annual awards program. These awards highlight the dedication, leadership, and significant contributions of both individuals and organizations working to advance water efficiency and conservation.

Since 2009, the Water Star Award has honored exceptional water conservation practitioners for their impact on the field. In 2021, we introduced the Member of the Year Award to celebrate the accomplishments of organizational members. With the launch of the Water Efficiency and Conservation Symposium in 2023, we expanded the awards to include several new categories, with nominations submitted by our members.

Learn more about our 2025 awardees here.

Excellence in Equity Award

The Excellence in Equity Award recognizes organizational members’ significant success in advancing equity through their work with diverse populations. This may include practices or programs geared towards equitably serving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ persons, veterans, low-to-moderate-income households, etc.

Awardees:

 

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award recognizes technological advances, research breakthroughs, and innovative practices of a current member organization that champions the adoption, implementation, or public acceptance of water efficiency and sustainability.

Awardees

Member of the Year Award

The Member of the Year Award recognizes organizational members of the Alliance for Water Efficiency as leaders in the water efficiency and conservation community. An organizational member who has demonstrated consistent commitment to and support of AWE and its mission to promote the efficient and sustainable use of water.

Awardees:

Up and Comer Award

The Up and Comer Award recognizes an individual employee of a current AWE organizational member with less than five years of experience in water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability for their leadership and commitment to pursuing water efficiency as a career path.

Awardees

Water Star Award

The Water Star Award recognizes individual excellence in water efficiency and celebrates a water conservation practitioner who is making a difference through dedication and passion. This individual has made a significant impact in the water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability field. 

Awardees:

Volunteer Appreciation Award

The Volunteer Appreciation Award is given to an employee of a current organizational member who served AWE in an expanded role over the past year, such as a board member, committee chair/co-chair/vice-chair, or volunteer. This person has gone above and beyond to support and serve the organization and advance our mission.

Awardees

Full List of Award Categories