European Water Association

The European Water Association (EWA) is an independent non-governmental and non-profit organisation dealing with the management and improvement of the water environment. It describes itself as one of the major professional associations in Europe covering the whole water sector, including wastewater, drinking water and water-related waste. Its stated vision is to promote the sustainable management of the total water cycle for society's needs, delivered by informed and expert people, under the banner of "Clean Water for Europe: Quality, Safety, and Sustainability for All." The association was formally established in 1981 as the European Water Pollution Control Association (EWPCA), when delegates from eleven national professional associations — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland — gathered in Munich. In 1999 the organisation changed its name to the European Water Association. After 1990, professional organisations in Central and Eastern European countries gained independence from government, creating both new operational freedom and funding challenges, and opening fresh opportunities for pan-European collaboration as countries prepared to join the European Union. EWA's membership consists of National Associations, Corporate members and Research members, with members from nearly all European countries. Its aim is to increase the resilience of the water sector by providing a forum for discussion of key technical and policy issues in Europe and its regions, through conferences, workshops, publications, meetings and special working groups of experts. It maintains close contact with the European Commission, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Parliament and other water-related organisations, and plays a role in supporting the implementation of EU water legislation. The association publishes a range of materials, including conference and workshop proceedings and reports, the Water Manifesto, member publications, the E-WAter journal, newsletters and an annual yearbook. It organises events such as the EWA Brussels Conference and introductory courses on EU water policy and legislation, and it awards the Dunbar Medal every two years as well as electing Honorary Members. Its secretariat is based at Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17 in Hennef, Germany.

The European Water Association was formally established in 1981 as the European Water Pollution Control Association (EWPCA). Delegates from eleven national professional associations — Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland — gathered in Munich, where the association was founded. The founding fathers at the first Management Committee included Hein Ehrhardt (NL), Fouquet (FR), Geoffrey Ashworth Truesdale (UK), Kunze (DE), Plümer (DE) and Hawerman (SE). After 1990, the landscape shifted significantly. Professional organisations in Central and Eastern European countries, whether existing or newly formed, gained independence from government, granting them greater operational freedom. However, this newfound autonomy also posed challenges, particularly concerning funding. The evolving dynamics of the 1990s created fresh opportunities for collaboration among professional organisations across Europe. Cooperation became increasingly necessary as many Central and Eastern European countries prepared to join the European Union, starting with the initial accession in 2004 and followed by subsequent steps in 2007 (Bulgaria and Romania). As Europe's boundaries continued to evolve, the EWA's role remained crucial in preparing national professional organisations to operate under unified EU conditions, particularly in implementing laws that impact water management. In 1999, the organisation changed its name from the European Water Pollution Control Association to the European Water Association, reflecting a broader scope covering the whole water sector. Over the decades, the association has been led by presidents from various European countries, including Károly Kovács (HU, 2015–2017), José Matos (PT, 2017–2019), Bjørn Kaare Jensen (DK, 2019–2021), Raymond Erpelding (LU, 2021–2023), Wendy Francken (BE, 2023–2025) and Harsha Ratnaweera (NO, 2025–present). Today, the EWA consists of member associations from nearly all European countries, including most European Union Member States and other European countries such as Albania, Serbia and Norway. It maintains close contact with the European Commission, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Parliament and other water-related organisations. Its secretariat is located at Theodor-Heuss-Allee 17 in Hennef, Germany.

• 2025

  Harsha Ratnaweera (NO) began term as President.

• 2023

  Wendy Francken (BE) began term as President.

• 2021

  Raymond Erpelding (LU) began term as President.

• 2019

  Bjørn Kaare Jensen (DK) began term as President.

• 2017

  José Matos (PT) began term as President.

• 2015

  Károly Kovács (HU) began term as President.

• 2007

  Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU, further expanding the association's scope.

• 2004

  Initial accession of Central and Eastern European countries to the European Union, increasing the need for cooperation among professional organisations.

• 1999

  Name changed from European Water Pollution Control Association to European Water Association.

• 1990

  After 1990, professional organisations in Central and Eastern Europe gained independence from government, opening new opportunities for pan-European collaboration.

• 1981

  Formally established as the European Water Pollution Control Association (EWPCA) in Munich by delegates from eleven national professional associations.

A major and influential European organisation representing water professionals through their National Associations, promoting sustainable management of the total water cycle.

• E-WAter journal

  EWA's journal publication.

• Water Manifesto

  A key EWA publication.

• EWA Newsletter

  Provides updates about EWA, members, events and news from Brussels, including insights from the EU Commission and other European institutions.

• Annual yearbook

  EWA's annual yearbook publication.

• Conference and workshop proceedings

  Proceedings and reports from conferences and workshops held throughout Europe.

1. 1Home - EWAewa-online.eu
2. 2History - EWAewa-online.eu
3. 3About us - EWAewa-online.eu
4. 4Who we are - EWAewa-online.eu
5. 5European Water Association - Wikidatawikidata.org