Standards Spotlight: AWWA

The American Water Works Association, or AWWA, was founded more than 140 years ago making it the oldest organization of water professionals globally. With more than 50,000 members, the group’s tagline is “Dedicated to the world’s most vital resource,” something every human being can and should support!

Membership of AWWA is a mix of utilities, manufacturers, consultants and individuals, and there are 43 local AWWA sections across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

AWWA isn’t a regulatory body but creates voluntary standards that are ANSI approved. Key standards offer minimum requirements for the design, installation, performance and manufacturing of products that are used in water works applications. The primary focus and application of AWWA standards have been on potable water and raw source water systems. Topics include: chemicals for water treatment; plant equipment; pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment; storage tanks and wells, and more. These nearly 200 standards were developed by industry experts, most of which are volunteers that serve on councils within AWWA and are developed through multiple rounds of review and consideration to get a consensus before they are adopted. AWWA standards address product use, performance, configuration, etc. and offer no certification just voluntary conformance.

There are myriad standards that AWWA has developed that are specific to valve manufacturers. They are grouped by valve types and include those listed in the chart below:

Butterfly Valve Standards

• C504-15, Rubber-Seated Butterfly Valves
• C516-21, Large-Diameter, Rubber-Seated Butterfly Valves (78-in. and larger)
• C519-18, High-Performance Waterworks Butterfly Valves (3-in. to 60-in.)
• Manual M49, Quarter-Turn Valves: Head Loss, Torque and Cavitation Analysis

Ball, Rotary Cone & Plug Valve Standards

• C507-18, Ball Valves 6-in. to 60 in.
• C521-18, Plastic Ball Valves
• C522-23, Rotary Cone Valves 6-in. through 60 in. (new standard in 2023)
• C517-16 (R21), Resilient-Seated, Cast-Iron Eccentric Plug Valves

Air Valve, Control Valve and Service Lines

• C512-15, Air-release, Air/Vacuum, and Combination Air Valves for Water and Wastewater Service
• C514-20, Air Valve and Vent Inflow Preventer Assemblies for Potable Water Distribution System and Storage Facilities
• C530-22, Pilot-Operated Control Valves
• C800-21, Underground Service Line Valves and Fittings

Actuators, Gaskets and Coating/Lining Standards

• C541-16 (R21), Hydraulic and Pneumatic Cylinder and Vane-Type Actuators for Valves and Slide Gates
• C542-16 (R21), Electric Motor Actuators for Valves and Slide Gates

Additional valve resources published by AWWA include Manual M44, Distribution Valves: Selection, Installation, Field Testing, and Maintenance (published 2016) and Manual M86, Large Valve Installation (in development with a planned release in 2025).

AWWA does not test, certify or approve any products, services or manufacturers, but creates these standards to be voluntarily complied with by all parties.

For more information about AWWA visit awwa.org.