About us

CIWEM is the leading royal chartered professional body dedicated to sustainable management of the environment, globally.

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Who we are

CIWEM represents and supports a community of thousands of members and organisations in over 89 countries who are dedicated to improving water and environmental management for the benefit of the public.

Our aim is to work towards a safer, more sustainable world. Our mission is to build a global community of water and environmental professionals dedicated to working for the public benefit.

As an independent charity we champion professional standards, impartiality and the use of scientific evidence in the management of the environment. We champion:

  • Highly qualified water and environmental managers, engineers and scientists who are recognised globally for their professional expertise and conduct.
  • Protection of the public from pollution, environmental destruction and natural hazards through the promotion and share of best practice.
  • Application and scientific rigour and impartiality to plans and policies ensuring the best outcomes for society now and in the future.

Our culture and organisational strategy is founded upon two principles: that we are relevant and accessible to all.

As an institution, we are striving to become more inclusive and help the wider water and environmental management sector (WEM) feel that way too. To us, this means making CIWEM a welcoming environment where everyone feels able to participate and that their unique voices and experiences are represented.

We have been working as part of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Science Council Diversity and Inclusion progression framework steering group, as well as other water and environmental organisations to improve our levels of equality and inclusion across the sector.

We all recognise that there is still more work to be done.

View CIWEM's Diversity and Inclusion initiative and learn how you can get involved.

Our history

CIWEM has a history of working in environmental management dating back to 1895, the date when one of the three founder professional bodies, the Institution of Public Health Engineers was formed.

In the succeeding decades, engineers, scientists and other professionals came together to combine their expertise across a broad range of environmental disciplines. The present day Institution was formed in 1987, when the Institution of Public Health Engineers merged with the Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists and the Institute of Water Pollution Control to form the Institution of Water and Environmental Management. CIWEM was granted its Royal Charter in 1995 and we were proud to celebrate our first centenary in the same year.

CIWEM Communication Preferences

CIWEM provides regular updates via email, social media, and our website on our upcoming events, professional development opportunities, industry and member news. Please find additional information below that can help you stay up-to-date with us.

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Governance

CIWEM has a history of working in environmental management dating back to 1895. Since then, our members have been the leading practitioners in improving the quality and management of water and the environment. Learn more about our Trustee Board.

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Our Communities

We provide a forum for professional debate and the opportunity for members to meet and socialise through a strong network of local branches and groups. You can drive knowledge and best practice by getting involved with our special interest groups.

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