This year, the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) presented a Member of the Year award to recognize an AWE member organization serving as a leader in the water efficiency and conservation community.  

AWE members eligible for the award have the following credentials:

• At least five years membership in AWE, including the year being considered
• Provided support and resources to AWE beyond membership dues
• Demonstrated consistent commitment to and support for the work of AWE and our mission

Choosing just one recipient was difficult because so many AWE members have made exemplary contributions. However, this year, one member rose to the top of the list. In 2008, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) stepped in to do what many people wanted but few had the resources to do: create a national water efficiency and conservation conference.

The WaterSmart Innovations Conference (WSI) has become the leading conference of its kind, with a focus on timely, smart content and a price tag that makes WSI available to as many as possible. SNWA staff run the show, and hosting a major national conference is no small feat, especially when you consider they do this in addition to their other responsibilities.

WSI continues to be the nation’s preeminent water efficiency conference thanks to SNWA’s dedication and vision. Moreover, SNWA is a long-standing AWE member and representative on the board of directors while also being a national water efficiency leader. To top it off, SNWA led the passage of AB 356 in 2021, a first-of-its-kind state law to ban the watering of certain non-functional turf grass in order to reduce water use in metro Las Vegas. 

AWE Board Chair Ron Voglewede said, “SNWA has been a leader in pushing boundaries, supporting key areas of policy, and has been a collaborator with many of us, including the management of the WaterSmart Innovations Conference since 2008. SNWA has demonstrated vision and hard work to bring 'water smart innovation' front and center in concept and as a conference.”