Our History
The Institute of Water was founded in 1945 by Allen Bolton.
Founder Member Allen Bolton
In November 1938, Allen Bolton began his tenure at Sutton and District Water Company as a plumber. By 1945, he had risen to Chief Inspector. Faced with a lack of resources in the industry, he founded his own organisation to provide the necessary information and insights into water operations, as existing professional bodies couldn’t meet his requirements.
On April 21st, 1945, in Croydon, 78 officers from Water Authorities across the South East convened for the inaugural meeting of a proposed organisation. They unanimously decided to establish the Association to advance understanding of the principles and practices governing public water supply distribution. The Association’s first official gathering occurred on May 12, 1945, at the Sutton and District Water Company offices in Surrey.
Allen Bolton’s Legacy (1938-2011)
Allen retained a keen interest in IWater well into retirement and attended every Annual Conference and AGM until 2007 when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Allen died in February 2011, two months after celebrating his 100th Birthday.
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 within the UK water sector.
The Allen Bolton Award was established in his memory in 2011 and still continues to celebrate people with exceptional commitment to IWater today.
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.
Our 80th Anniversary
In one year, on May 12th, 2025, the Institute of Water will be celebrating its 80th anniversary!
For the past eight decades, we have stood in support of developing the UK water sector workforce, fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. This milestone represents not just our longevity, but the commitment and dedication of each and every one of our members, past and present.
As we gear up to mark this significant anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all who have been a part of this incredible journey. Stay tuned for more details about the anniversary celebrations as we approach the date. We have some exciting plans in store to commemorate this special occasion, and we can’t wait to share them with you.
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