exNAWST

exNAWST, short for the ex National Association for Water Science and Technology, is a fictional international professional association created to illustrate the history of collaborative efforts in the water sector. It operated as an umbrella organization for national and regional societies focusing on water science, engineering, and sanitation technology. The "ex" prefix signals its status as a predecessor or dissolved entity in this narrative.

Founded in the late 20th century through the merger of several national water associations, exNAWST sought to harmonize standards, credentialing, and knowledge-sharing across borders. It expanded to regional chapters and technical committees covering topics such as wastewater treatment, water quality, hydrology, and water resources management. The organization published guidelines and a peer‑reviewed journal that circulated among practitioners and researchers.

Key activities included an annual conference, certification programs for engineers and technicians, and the development of reference standards used by national agencies and consulting firms. exNAWST also hosted training courses, professional codes of ethics, and online repositories of case studies and best practices.

Governance was structured around a rotating board, with representation from member societies, regional chapters, and independent experts. Membership varied by tier, from individual professionals to full national associations. Critics cited bureaucratic overhead and uneven implementation of guidelines across regions.

In this fictional history, exNAWST's functions were eventually absorbed by a successor organization, the Global Water Alliance, as part of a broader consolidation in the sector. The exNAWST arc is used in case studies to discuss professional standards, cooperation, and the transition of knowledge to new institutional forms.