Being a Water Professional

What defines a water professional? At its core, it begins with working in the water industry—whether as a utility worker, academic, regulator, consultant, or manufacturer. But true professionalism goes beyond job titles or credentials, or as the saying goes, “Professionalism is not the job you do, it's how you do the job.”

Many associate the term professional with degrees or certifications. Certification standards help eliminate confusion over best practices, enable managers to better deploy and trust staff, and promote confidence among practitioners and the public. Yet while these are important markers of achievement, they don’t necessarily reflect character or commitment.

Licenses and organizational certifications are valuable, but they aren’t the only indicators of professionalism, which in the water industry may be best measured by one's dedication to public safety and service. Water professionals must blend several vital responsibilities: protecting public health and safety while stewarding community, customer, and environmental resources wisely.

True professionals prioritize the public good over personal gain, where their decisions are guided by maximizing overall benefit, not just short-term financial outcomes. Water professionals must treat all customers with integrity and fairness, engaging in respectful dialogue and building trust through accountability. This includes maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on discrimination, harassment, or intimidation in all interactions with other water professionals as well as the customers and communities they serve.

A profession is built on knowledge and experience, and AWWA supports the water industry by fostering both. Water professionals have an obligation to use their tools and standards with honesty and integrity for the common good.

Ultimately, professionalism in the water industry is about commitment, not credentials. It's about character, dependability, and conscience—not degrees or titles. AWWA's bygone Members’ Code of Practice captured this spirit: “We shall not fail to perform the duties entrusted to us. We shall hold the public interest superior to personal interests and shall ensure, through action and leadership, that water service is maintained under all conditions.”

Water professionals must promote public understanding of water services; educate communities about the importance of safe drinking water; and ensure all customers understand how their water and wastewater systems are funded, operated, and maintained. Water professionals must uphold the highest standards of conduct to ensure safe, reliable water for all.

It's more than just professional growth—careers in water provide meaningful opportunities to protect and improve our communities. To share your experiences and perspectives with other water professionals, write to me at [email protected].