WSA was formed at the height of Australia’s Millennium Drought when water risk and responsible water management became a key focus for businesses and the community. Organisations and individuals familiar with programs such as the Forest Stewardship Council were looking for a mechanism to recognise superior water stewardship and provide a multi-stakeholder endorsed framework for assessing water performance. WSA was launched by the (then) Chair and CEO of the National Water Commission (NWC), Ken Matthews.

In 2009, WSA published the world’s first water stewardship standard with support from the MDBA and, with The Nature Conservancy and The Pacific Institute, led the development of the global umbrella for water stewardship, the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS), which WSA continues to Chair. The first and current version of the AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard) was Launched in April 2014.

Water stewardship has since been adopted by organisations such as the United Nations CEO Water Mandate, WWF International and the CDP Water Initiative. Field trials have been widely reported at Stockholm Water Week, the World Water Forum, the International EcoSummit, the International Rivers Symposium, Asian Water Week, the Abu Dhabi International Water Summit and others. WSA has conducted field trials in the food processing industry, the cotton industry, and the dairy industry.

WSA has established a solid governance framework with a strong Board, supported by an honorary Executive Secretary and part-time Administration Officer. As a regional partner, WSA plays a key role in the governance of AWS at an international level. As they continue to build water stewardship in their region, your contribution through being a member of WSA is even more important as it provides the support for a strong multi-stakeholder governance mechanism that will protect and enhance the integrity and credibility of their system.