Alliance for Water Stewardship Certified
Alliance for Water Stewardship
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard is a global framework for water users to understand their water use and impacts, an
The Alliance for Water Stewardship Certified costs $4,000 USD, takes approximately 24 weeks, and requires around 100 hours of study.
Key Strengths
- Internationally recognized standard for site-level water stewardship
- Covers full catchment context, not just on-site water use
- Third-party verified for credibility with investors and stakeholders
- Applicable to any sector, size, or geography globally
- Aligns with CDP Water Security and UN SDG 6 reporting
- Drives collaborative engagement with local water stakeholders
Ideal For
This certification is best suited for industrial, agricultural, or municipal sites seeking to demonstrate responsible water management within their catchment area. It is particularly valuable for large water users in water-stressed regions, sustainability managers at manufacturing or food & beverage facilities, and organizations responding to investor or supply chain pressure to address water risk. Companies with public sustainability commitments or those operating under frameworks like CDP Water Security will find it especially relevant.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Recognized By
- AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard)
Scope
Overview
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard is an internationally recognized framework that guides sites in addressing their water challenges and contributing to global water sustainability. It provides a set of principles, criteria, and indicators that facilities can use to improve their water stewardship practices. The AWS Standard encourages collaboration with stakeholders to ensure responsible water management within a catchment.
This certification program is designed for sites and facilities of any size, in any sector, and in any geography. It helps organizations to understand their water use and impacts, and to work collaboratively and transparently with others to manage water risks and opportunities. The AWS Standard drives a comprehensive approach to water stewardship, covering aspects from site-level water balance to broader catchment-level water governance.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Applicants must compile a comprehensive site water balance, catchment context assessment, and documentation of water-related policies and targets. Evidence includes records of stakeholder engagement, water quality monitoring data, water use efficiency measures, and governance practices. A licensed third-party conformity assessment body (CAB) reviews all documentation and conducts an on-site or remote audit to verify claims against the AWS Standard's criteria and indicators across six core components: governance, water balance, water quality, important water-related areas, safe water/sanitation/hygiene (WASH), and catchment stewardship.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
There is no written exam. Certification is achieved through a third-party conformity assessment conducted by an AWS-licensed Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). The assessment involves a documentation review and an on-site (or remote) audit evaluating the site's performance against the AWS Standard's six core components: governance, water balance, water quality, important water-related areas, WASH, and catchment stewardship. The auditor reviews 12+ months of operational records, conducts stakeholder interviews, and verifies site-level and catchment-level data. Annual surveillance audits are required, with a full re-certification audit every three years.
Renewal & Compliance
AWS certification is valid for three years. Sites must undergo annual surveillance audits to maintain certification status, and a full re-certification audit is required at the end of the three-year cycle. Continued compliance with the AWS Standard's criteria and indicators must be demonstrated, including updated water balance data, ongoing stakeholder engagement records, and evidence of continual improvement in water stewardship performance.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Organizations seeking a quick or low-cost compliance checkbox should consider alternatives, as AWS certification requires significant documentation, stakeholder engagement, and third-party audit investment. Sites with minimal water use or those not operating in water-stressed catchments may find the cost-benefit ratio unfavorable compared to simpler water efficiency programs.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Certification
English
2014
Available
Cost Breakdown
How to Display This Recognition
Certification Details
Assessment
Verification
Structure
Governance
Fee Structure
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Sources & Citations
Content on this page is AI-enriched from primary sources.
Alliance for Water StewardshipLast verified Mar 10, 2026