2026 Water Professionals Appreciation Week Toolkit Sep 4, 2026 Member Tools California’s annual Water Professionals Appreciation Week kicks off Oct. 3, celebrating the dedicated professionals who work every day to provide safe, reliable water, wastewater and recycled water services to communities across the state. Water Professionals Appreciation Week is an opportunity for water agencies to recognize their employees, showcase the essential work they do and highlight the wide range of rewarding careers in the water industry. ACWA encourages member agencies to participate by using their communication channels to share stories, engage their communities and educate customers, local leaders, media and other key audiences about the people behind California’s water systems. To help members celebrate, ACWA has updated its Water Professionals Appreciation Week Toolkit with customizable graphics, videos, sample social media content and other resources. New this year are customizable Canva templates for images and videos, as well as a sticker kit that agencies can use to add some fun to their Water Professionals Appreciation Week celebrations. How to Celebrate Here are some ways your agency can participate: Recognize your employees. Feature the people behind your agency’s essential services on social media, your website, newsletters, bill inserts or other communications. Share their stories, highlight their work and show your community the many roles it takes to keep water flowing. Showcase water careers. Use Water Professionals Appreciation Week to introduce students and community members to the diverse career opportunities available in the water industry. Consider highlighting employees in different roles and sharing information about internships, apprenticeships or career opportunities at your agency. Engage your local community. Host a facility tour, presentation, community Q&A or other event that gives customers a closer look at your agency and the people who provide their water services. Connect with local schools. Work with high schools, colleges and universities to promote water careers, internships and opportunities for students interested in making a difference in their communities. Engage your local media. Let local reporters know your agency is participating in Water Professionals Appreciation Week and offer opportunities to interview employees working in a variety of fields. The toolkit includes sample talking points to help tell your agency’s story. Recognize your team internally. Celebrate your employees with a staff appreciation event, employee spotlight, recognition program or other activity that shows your team how much their work matters. Toolkit Resources The updated includes resources to help agencies recognize their employees and share the story of water professionals with their communities. New Canva Templates Canva templates make it easy to customize Water Professionals Appreciation Week content with your agency’s photos, logo and messaging. Clean, Reliable Water 4:5 ratio post 16:9 ratio post Meet Your Water Pro 4:5 ratio post 16:9 ratio post Thank Water Pros Carousel Post Water Work in Action Reel Intro Clip Outro Clip Bill Insert Additional Toolkit Resources The toolkit also includes: Social media sample text that agencies can customize and share Water Professionals Appreciation Week graphics, including customizable options for use in social media posts and other digital content and other campaign materials for communicating with local media and community members A sample resolution for your Board or local cities and counties. for your Board or local cities and counties. The resources are designed to make it easy for agencies of all sizes to participate. Add your agency’s logo, customize the templates with your own photos and stories, and share them throughout the week. Background Water Professionals Appreciation Week was established by Senate Concurrent Resolution 80, approved by the Legislature in 2017. The resolution, authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), was sponsored by an ACWA-led coalition that included WateReuse California, California Municipal Utilities Association, California Association of Sanitation Agencies and California Water Association. The California Water Environment Association also was a partner in the effort. Water Professionals Appreciation Week begins each year on the first Saturday of October and ends on the Sunday of the following weekend. Questions For questions about Water Professionals Appreciation Week, please contact ACWA Communications Specialist Ellen Martin at (916) 441-4545. For help customizing toolkit items with your agency logo, contact Katherine Causland.
