Introducing Member-Nominated AWE Awards 

Nominations are open for the 2023 AWE Awards! Since 2009, the Alliance for Water Efficiency has been recognizing the outstanding achievement and impact of individual water conservation practitioners through our Water Star Award. In 2021, we began annually recognizing outstanding organizational members through a Member of the Year Award. This year, several new awards have been added, and for the first time in our history, winners for several of our awards will be chosen from nominations submitted by our members (self-nominations are welcome).

Winners will be announced and recognized at the evening Award Reception, on August 2nd, 2023, during the Water Efficiency and Conservation Symposium in Chicago, Illinois. These awards will be presented along with our Volunteer Appreciation and Member of the Year Awards, which will be chosen by the AWE Board of Directors, staff, and advisors. Any questions about the AWE Awards nomination process or Symposium may be directed to info@a4we.org. 

Nomination Timeline & Process

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, June 2, 2023, at 5:00 pm CDT.
To nominate an organization or individual, simply fill out the award's nomination form, listed below each award category. Nomination forms include questions about the person submitting the nomination form, the person or organization being nominated for the award, and a few short questions as to why you believe the nominee deserves to be recognized in this way.

Organizational Awards

These awards celebrate the outstanding work of our member organizations. Organizations include but are not limited to, businesses, nonprofits, water utility providers, member associations, governmental agencies, etc.    

  • 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. Nominate an organization for the AWE Innovation Award. 

    Selection Criteria: any organization that is a current AWE member is eligible to be nominated for this award. Two awards will be given out each year, one to a business member and one to a water utility agency. Organizations must have engaged in transformational research or created a cutting-edge program or project at some point in the 2022 or 2023 calendar year. 
     

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

    Selection Criteria: Organizations that are current AWE members are eligible to be nominated for this award. Nominations will be accepted for organizations that have demonstrated their deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice through their efforts, initiatives, or programs.  

Individual Awards

These awards celebrate the outstanding work of individual water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability practitioners.   

  • Water Star Award: recognizes individual excellence in water efficiency. This award celebrates a water conservation practitioner making a difference through their dedication and passion. This individual is someone whose contributions and achievements have made a significant impact in the water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability field. Nominate an individual for the AWE Water Star Award.

    Selection Criteria: Individuals who have worked as water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability practitioners for at least five years are eligible to be nominated for this award. Nominees should have a demonstrated, tangible dedication to the field. This individual is someone whose contributions and achievements over time have made a measurable impact in supporting water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability work. AWE membership, by their employer, is not a requirement. 
     

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

    Selection Criteria: Individuals, who have worked in the water efficiency and conservation field, for less than five years are eligible to be nominated. Current AWE annual membership, by their employer, is required. Nominees should have a demonstrated, tangible dedication to the field. This individual is someone who has excelled in the early years of their career in this field, demonstrated great potential, and is an inspiring “up and coming” leader.