The International Water Association is registered in England as a charity (No. 1076690) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 3597005).

IWA’s Governing Assembly is held annually and is the standing committee of its Governing Members. The Governing Assembly determines the Association’s broad objectives, elects its Officers and advises the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is composed of Officers (President, Senior Vice President, and Vice President), Other Officeholders, and the Executive Director. It manages the business and sets the strategic direction of the Association in accordance with the Articles.

Other key bodies include: the Finance and Investment Committee, which reviews and advises the Board on matters relating to financial management, investment and remuneration; the Governance and Nominations Committee, which reviews and advises the Board on matters relating to the governance of the Association and nominations (including awards and committee membership); and the Membership & Engagement Committee, which reviews and advises the Board on matters relating to membership and the Association’s engagement with its stakeholders.

The various documents relating to IWA’s governance appear below.

Constitution

• Articles of Association (September 2020)
• Bylaws (September 2023)

Policies and Procedures

The Policies and Procedures of the Association are listed here but do not form part of the Bylaws. The dates refer to the last revision of the document.

• Procedures for Governing Members (September 2021)
• Procedures for Fellows and Distinguished Fellows (January 2020)
• Procedures for World Water Congress & Exhibition (March 2023)
• Procedures for Water and Development Congress & Exhibition (January 2017)
• Procedures for IWA Events (October 2013)
• Procedures for Specialist Groups (March 2023)
• Guidance for Young Water Professionals (February 2024) and YWP Country Chapters (2018)
• Terms of reference for Finance & Investment Committee (September 2023)
• Terms of reference for Governance and Nominations Committee (September 2021)
• Terms of reference for Membership Engagement Committee (September 2021)
• Terms of reference for EWL Fund Growth Committee (September 2023)
• Terms of reference for EWL Programme Committee (September 2023)
• Terms of Reference for the Strategic Council (September 2021)
• Terms of Reference for the IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows Steering Committee (January 2020)
• Terms of Reference for the Programme Committee (January 2019)
• Terms of Reference for the Emerging Water Leaders Steering Committee (January 2020)
• Policy for Nomination and Election for IWA Communities and Activities (June 2019)
• Voting Procedures for IWA Officers (December 2021)
• Procedures for Honours and Awards (under revision)
• Scheme of Delegation Policy (under revision)
• Procedures for Secretariat and Executive Director (under revision)
• IWA Members’ Code of Conduct (March 2018)
• IWA Board of Directors’ Procedures and Guidelines (June 2022)