The Association was started on February 16. 1976, in Edmonton by an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Gerald Samuel. Ron Bayne, Cal Johnston, Ernie Corry, Jim Parker, Herb Zinger, Phil Richard, John Thoma, Denis Gray and Rene Chartrand. The committee was invited to meet by Gerald Samuel, Alberta Environment and Ron Bayne and Cal Johnston, both directors of the Western Canada Water and Sewage Conference.

The Ad Hoc Committee formulated a name and a constitution for the Association. It also arranged for the first general meeting of Alberta operators to be held in conjunction with the 1976 Western Canada Water and Sewage Conference Convention held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Notice of the meeting and an election ballot for the first executive was given the widest possible distribution to operators and municipalities in Alberta.

The first members joined the Association on September 28, 1976, for the 1976/77 year (September to September). At the first annual general meeting held on September 29, 1976, the first executive was announced.

The objectives of the Association are:

To contribute where possible to the training of persons employed in the water and wastewater field.
To provide input to the Provincial Operator Certification Program.
To generally upgrade operators in the water and wastewater field.
To get a standard of proficiency for operators in the water and wastewater field.
To provide liaison between water and wastewater operators and organizations concerned with water and wastewater.
To encourage the best possible operation of water and wastewater facilities.

Currently the Association provides service to operators as follows;

Sponsors an annual Operator’s Seminar
Co-sponsors the Alberta Environment training programs
Provides manuals and similar material to operators at a reasonable cost
Provides operator input to the Alberta Environment Operator Certification Program
Provides Alberta operator input to the Western Canada Water & Wastewater Association