Our History
Allen Bolton – 1910-2011 – Founder Member
In November 1938 Allen Bolton joined Sutton and District Water Company as a plumber. He became Chief Inspector in 1945 and, with a background in industry, he looked for somewhere to turn for information and an insight into the day to day operations of a water undertaking. None of the professional bodies at that time catered for his needs so he set about creating his own.
The inaugural meeting of the proposed organisation took place in Croydon on 21st April 1945. Attended by 78 officers representing Water Authorities in the South East, the meeting resolved to form an Association for the purpose of promoting a wider knowledge of the principles and practices governing the distribution of public water supplies.
The first meeting of the Association of Water Distribution Officers was held at the offices of the Sutton and District Water Company in Surrey on 12th May 1945.
Allen Bolton died in February 2011, two months after celebrating his 100th Birthday. Allen retained a keen interest well into retirement and attended every Conference and AGM until 2007 when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Allen is one of many members who, over the years, have devoted their time, energy and ideas to create a framework and an environment in which others can fulfil their potential.
A body for the UK Water Sector
Within a year word had reached the North of England and the first local Area Committee was formed in Leeds. It took 15 years to achieve coverage across the UK, with the formation of Area Committees as follows:
1946 7 December Northern Leeds
1947 26 July South Eastern Croydon
1948 16 October South West Taunton
1948 20 November Midlands Coventry
1953 18 July South Wales Cardiff
1954 17 July Eastern Grantham
1955 9 June North Wales Wrexham
1955 11 December Scotland Edinburgh
1961 25 March Northern Ireland Belfast
In 2006 the two Areas in Wales amalgamated to form a single Welsh Area
Our Name
Over the years there have been several changes of name to reflect the diversity of members and the status as a professional body:
1954: Association of Water Officers
1990: Institution of Water Officers
2010: Institute of Water
The name may have changed but the underlying needs remain the same: the search for higher professional standards, the desire for knowledge, the need to keep abreast of developments and a determination to succeed as individuals.
Milestones and Key Achievements
1954 Office (rented) established in Croydon
1967 Relocated to rented office in Shortlands, Kent
1973 Licensed to register Technicians and Technician Engineers (now EngTech and IEng)
1975 Relocated to rented office in South Shields
1989 First Drilling & Tapping Championship
1991 Purchased own premises: Heriot House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
1998 Sold Heriot House and bought offices at Team Valley, Gateshead
1998 Licensed to award Chartered Engineer (CEng)
2004 First National CPD Awards
2004 Licensed to award Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
2005 First time President’s Cup presented
2007 Area Forum established
2011 First National Innovation Awards
2011 First Allen Bolton Award
2012 First year of Rising Stars
2012 Introduction to the Water Industry Course launched
2013 Licensed to register Chartered Scientist (CSci)
2013 Became a Signatory to the Diversity in Engineering Concordat
2014 Licensed to award Registered Scientist (RSci) + Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
2014 Licensed to award Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech)
2014 Signed Science Council Declaration on Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
2014 Established a Diversity Champion on the Board
2014 Established a Rising Star seat on the Board
2017 Published first Technical Journal
2019 Environmental Sustainability Policy and Environmental Management System launched
2020 Joined the Energy & Utilities Sector’s Inclusion Commitment
2020 Licensed to award Registered Environmental Practitioner (REnvP)
2021 Signed Diverse Sustainability Initiative