Why Join?
Membership offers UK water professionals, regardless of qualifications, experience, discipline or department, opportunities to broaden their knowledge, widen their network and develop within the sector.
Why become a member of IWater?
Hear from Claire Withers, Programme Manager at Anglian Water and a committed IWater member and volunteer, as she shares what being part of our family of UK water professionals means to her. Claire reflects on the value of IWater and how membership has supported her personal and professional development.
Why our members love being part of IWater:
“I believe that there is no other organisation that solely supports the careers of people within the water industry, whatever their role. From my own experience, the Institute of Water has provided me with the framework to not only advance my own career but also invest in my teams, helping them succeed in theirs.”
Kara Sadler CSci EIWater, Head of Water Quality, South Staffs and Cambridge Water
“Becoming a member of the Institute of Water has been a great experience for me. Anyone in the industry, from any level of experience, will have the same opportunity to develop and enhance their knowledge and improve their professional aspirations.”
Alex Akintomide EngTech MIWater, Training and Development Manager, Anglian Water
“IWater has given me learning and development opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have had. But most of all, it has given me friends, fun, and a sense of belonging. Don’t just join – get involved!”
Kathy Irvine CEnv HIWater, Business Change Lead, Scottish Water
“I have been a member of IWater for many years and for me, its unique selling point is that it is designed for water people by water people across all disciplines. The culture of the organisation is inclusive and supportive and I have personally gained and learned a lot from being a member.”
David Hinton FIWater, Chief Executive, South East Water
“Being a member of the Institute of Water has allowed me to accelerate my personal development through the range of events and resources offered and has introduced me to a large number of friendly, like-minded individuals across the industry. Joining has allowed me to have experiences early in my career that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to have otherwise.”
Elena Downes EmIWater, Innovation Project Manager Water, United Utilities
“Whether you’re just starting your career or are a seasoned professional, the Institute of Water offers invaluable opportunities for growth and collaboration. Join us and be part of a dynamic network committed to excellence in the water industry.”
Monisha Gower MIWater, Assets Director, Northumbrian Water Group
“Being part of the Institute of Water has been invaluable for my team’s growth and development. It provides a space where we can all learn, exchange ideas, and build connections that truly strengthen our skills and resilience. I’ve seen firsthand how these opportunities empower us to tackle industry challenges together and push the boundaries of what we can achieve.”
Stuart Moss MIWater, Managing Director, Europe, Isle Utilities
“My decade-long membership with the Institute of Water has been highly rewarding, providing me with networking opportunities, excellent events, and continual professional development. These benefits have kept me informed, facilitated industry connections, and helped me advance my career in the water sector.”
Justin Doran EIWater, Data Operations Manager, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
“Among the many benefits the Institute of Water offers its members is the opportunity to supercharge your career development through knowledge acquisition and sharing, while simultaneously expanding your network of like-minded water professionals.”
Mike Cape MIWater, Operations Director (Anglian), Clancy
“Getting involved with the Institute of Water opens up some brilliant development and social opportunities. It connects people across our industry, sharing best practice, innovation and networking, ultimately improving outcomes across the sector.”
Kit Wilson MIWater, Director of Operational Services, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
About our Membership Grades
As a membership organisation, everything we do is designed to serve our members. Our members help shape our services and even our membership grade structure.
Rather than offering grades with varying levels of benefit, we have created grades that are valuable to everyone, regardless of career stage. Our membership grades reflect your professionalism, recognise your commitment, and support you throughout your career journey.
We offer memberships to fit any stage in your career;
find the one that’s right for you below.
Student Emerging Professional (EmIWater)
Fee: £35
This grade is for members who are in the early stages of their professional careers and are studying part-time or full-time.
Who can apply: Anyone who has joined the water sector and is within the first five years of their career AND is studying on a related undergraduate, postgraduate, graduate placement scheme, or apprenticeship scheme.
Emerging Professionals who are under the age of 35 will automatically become part of our Young Professionals’ Network and, unless they are in full-time education, are eligible to apply for our Rising Stars programme.
Members at this level will be able start their professional registration journey at the first two registration levels.
Once their course has finished, if they are still within the first five years of their career, these members would move across to the non-student Emerging Professional grade. After five years of experience in the water sector, these members would become eligible to move up to Professional.
Emerging Professional (EmIWater)
Fee: £126
This grade recognises that, regardless of what type of role someone may have within the sector, these members are people who are in the early stages of their professional careers.
Who can apply: Anyone who has joined the water sector and is within the first five years of their career.
Emerging Professionals who are under the age of 35 will automatically become part of our Young Professionals’ Network and, unless they are in full-time education, are eligible to apply for our Rising Stars programme.
Members at this level will be able start their professional registration journey at the first two registration levels.
After five years of experience in the water sector, these members would become eligible to move up to Professional.
Professional (MIWater)
Fee: £141.75
This grade aims to reflect that a member has reached a certain level of professionalisation within their career.
Who can apply: Anyone who has between five and ten years of experience. It allows for some flexibility to cover people who have moved from a different sector into the water sector and brings transferrable skills with them. OR anyone who has gained professional registration at technician (EngTech, REnvTech, RSciTech), or incorporated/registered level (IEng, REnvP, RSci).
Members at this level will be eligible to start or continue their professional registration journey at the upper two registration levels, incorporated/registered, and chartered.
After ten years, these members will then become eligible to move up to Experienced Professional.
Experienced Professional (EIWater)
Fee: £168
This grade recognises that a small number of Fellows will continue to be appointed each year, but we are delighted to offer something for our many highly experienced members. We are aligning this grade explicitly to professional registration at chartership level. This grade fulfils a similar function to chartered membership of those institutions that hold a Royal Charter.
This grade is between Professional and Fellow and is for professionals with substantial experience and demonstrated expertise in the water sector.
Who can apply: Anyone who has ten years+ of experience. OR anyone who has gained professional registration at Chartered level (CEng, CEnv, CSci).
These members would then become eligible for Fellow, subject to IWater peer nomination.
Fellow (FIWater)
Fee: £194.25
This is our highest level of membership and it’s awarded to people who are recognised leaders and experts in the water sector who have made substantial contributions to the field.
This will be by nomination only from:
- The Board
- Professional Registration Panels
- Area Committees
To be eligible for nomination and consideration, members will need to have a minimum of 10 years of experience. Nominees do not need to have been IWater members beforehand or for a fixed number of years.
Please note we have completed our nomination cycles for 2025.
Honorary (HIWater)
Fee: £0
Qualification for this level will be more explicitly linked to an individual’s contribution to the Institute. People who attain this would be IWater members who have made outstanding lifetime contributions to the sector and the Institute.
The awarding of this grade would remain at the discretion of the Board.
Any IWater member who has both ten years+ experience and demonstrable ongoing contribution to supporting the Institute deliver its purpose and uphold our code of conduct and values could be considered for nomination through the existing routes, e.g. area committees, professional panels, the Professional Standards Committee and the Board.
Reduced Rates and Retirees
Under the previous grade system we offered a fixed rate of £50 as a reduced rate for members who are retired, on a career break, or not in paid employment for all grades whose fees are currently higher than £50. This has now changed to be a 50% discount.
We offer a membership ‘pause’/‘freeze’ for up to a year in certain circumstances.
Retired Life Membership
We are phasing this membership grade out for new applications or transfers. Existing Retired Life Members will keep this membership. Other members who are paying the retiree reduced rate on their named grade (e.g. Associate, Corporate or Fellow) will be able to transfer over to Retired Life Member at their next renewal during the 2024/2025 transition.
Company Membership
In addition to individual memberships, we offer a scheme for companies and organisations working in and around the water sector.
Being a Company Member of IWater is a great way to raise your profile with our members and wider network.
By becoming a Company Member, you can broaden your knowledge, widen your network and develop within the sector AND get discounted individual memberships for your employees (depending on the number of employees signed up).
To learn more about how to become a Company Member, click here.
Trial Membership
Considering joining IWater as a member? Why not try our 6-weeks of FREE trial membership.
Trial membership enables you to experience most of the benefits of being an IWater member, such as attending most events at member prices and access to digital issues of our Magazine. If you are a non-member and you’d like to become a trial member, please select the ‘Start Trial’ button.
Please note that unless you cancel, after 6-weeks your trial membership automatically converts to a paid membership, where we will take payment from the method you used when you signed up. You won’t be eligible to reapply for a subsequent trial membership until a minimum period of 3 years has elapsed.
Membership FAQs
To help support your understanding of the membership grades we provide, we’ve pulled together some frequently asked questions. If you have any further queries, please call us on 0191 422 0088 or email membership@instituteofwater.org.uk, and a member of our team will be happy to assist.
Membership is open to all individuals working in and around the UK water sector, regardless of qualifications, experience, discipline or department. Different membership grades are available depending on your experience.
Our membership grade table provides guidance on each grade, including details on who can apply and the experience required. We recommend reviewing this information to identify the grade most appropriate for you.
If you are unsure or would like further support, please contact the membership team, who will be happy to advise you.
We offer a wide range of services to support our members throughout their careers and into their retirement. These include events and networking opportunities, mentoring, professional registration, continuing professional development (CPD), and access to our magazine.
Our members consistently tell us that membership has helped them to build lasting professional networks, support career development, and open up new professional opportunities across the water sector.
Yes. Membership fees can be paid by Direct Debit, allowing you to spread the cost over 4 or 10 monthly instalments. To set this up, simply log in to your profile and access the GoCardless link available on your My IWater dashboard.
If you are concerned about paying your membership fees, please contact us to discuss your circumstances. You can email membership@instituteofwater.org.uk or call 01914 220088, and a member of our team will be happy to help.
UK taxpayers may also be eligible to claim tax relief on their membership fees. You can find further information about this by clicking here.
Yes. Professional registration fees are separate from membership fees and are set by the relevant licensing body. There are three distinct fees associated with obtaining and maintaining registration:
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A Review Fee for your specific professional registration
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An Initial Registration Fee
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An Annual Renewal Fee
Further details are available on each individual professional registration page or by contacting us directly via registration@instituteofwater.org.uk
Please note that failure to pay the required fees may result in the removal of your professional registration.
Yes. If you are going on maternity leave, you are able to pause your membership for an agreed period. Please contact the membership team to discuss your circumstances and available options.
You can renew your membership by logging in to your online profile and following the renewal instructions on your dashboard. We will also send renewal notices in advance to remind you when your membership is due for renewal.
If you need any assistance with the renewal process, please contact the membership team.
Joint IWA membership
Anyone wishing to be a member of IWater (other than a trial member) and the International Water Association can benefit from a 15% discount on the other membership that they don’t currently hold when they sign up as a new member.
If you would like to access this discount, please call us on 0191 422 0088 or email membership@instituteofwater.org.uk, and a member of our team will be happy to assist.