Eligibility
IWRM planning processes, projects and programs are eligible for the award (and hereafter described as "projects"), though studies, technical papers, and academic research are not. Any consulting, government, nonprofit, or academic organization may submit projects for consideration. The award is presented annually, or at such time as qualified candidates are identified and nominated. If no suitable projects are received in a given year AWRA reserves the right not to make an award.
Award Criteria
This award recognizes outstanding IWRM teamwork on a complex water resources effort. The project chosen for this award will be conducted by a team representing multiple disciplines such as engineering, biophysical science, economics, social science, law, planning, political science, etc. The project team will have developed a common project mission with defined responsibilities, and collaborated to achieve a water resources management objective organized around IWRM principles.
Project should include:
- Sustainable and community-directed economic goals
- Restoration and protection of environmental quality as an essential element and goal
- Advancement and protection of public health and safety
- Inclusive and robust participation of community members and stakeholders
- Enhancement of social equity and community values
- Coordinated and integrated planning, development, protection, and management of water and related resources
Projects should include all or most of the following elements associated with IWRM:
- Clean water and sanitation as basic human rights
- Planning for long term sustainability
- Participatory decision making
- Sound scientific principles
- Adaptive management and realistic measurement of results.
- Improvement of institutional capacity at all levels
Use of the IWRM team approach should have resulted in significant improvements in:
- Quality and sustainability of solutions
- Ability to build relationships and create consensus among diverse community members and stakeholders
- Acceptability, efficiency, and effectiveness of solutions
Not all the aforementioned elements will necessarily be present in any given project. The IWRM Awards committee is interested in rewarding adherence to and implementation of IWRM principles and not simply checking-off the bullet lists above.
Nomination Process
The nomination period is open through May 1, 2024. Nominations must be submitted using the online application via the AWRA portal. Recipients will be contacted and notified directly by May 24, 2024.
Submit a Nomination