The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) was originally founded in 1973 as the Wastewater Purification Plant Superintendents & Operators Association.
Over the years it changed its name and amended its core purposes to meet the needs of operational staff in both Victoria and now nationally. In 1977 the name was changed to Australian Wastewater Operators Association (Victorian Branch); in 1984 it became the Wastewater Operators Association Incorporated (Victorian Branch). In 1990, it was expanded to cover all sectors of the water industry becoming the Australian Water and Wastewater Operators Association Inc (Victorian Branch).
The change to our current name of the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) occurred in 2002.
When it was originally established, the aim of the founding members was to provide a forum where wastewater engineers and operators could share information and learn from one another. The development of appropriate training for operators and the promotion of protection of the environment were also aims.
The Association now still has an active involvement with the national Water Training Package development and stages a variety of conferences, seminars and training courses around the country.
WIOA Executive
| Year | President | Secretary/Treasurer | Life Members |
| 2020 | H. Josipovic | G. Wall | |
| 2019 | H. Josipovic | G. Wall | |
| 2018 | A. Rijnbeek | G.Wall | J. Harris |
| 2017 | A. Rijnbeek | G.Wall | P. Tolsher |
| 2016 | R.McGowan | G.Wall | |
| 2015 | R.McGowan | G.Wall | |
| 2014 | R.Mack | G.Wall | R. Mack |
| 2013 | R.Mack | G.Wall | |
| 2012 | J. Day | G.Wall | |
| 2011 | J. Day | G.Wall | |
| 2010 | A.Evans | G.Wall | |
| 2009 | A.Evans | G.Wall | |
| 2008 | P.Tolsher | G.Wall | |
| 2007 | P.Tolsher | G.Wall | B.Waddell |
| 2006 | C.Lim | G.Wall | |
| 2005 | C.Lim | G.Wall | |
| 2004 | J.Harris | G.Wall | G.Wall |
| 2003 | J.Harris | G.Wall | |
| 2002 | R.Mack | G.Wall | |
| 2001 | R.Mack | G.Wall |
AWWOA Executive
| Year | President | Secretary/Treasurer | Life Members |
| 2000-01 | B.Waddell | G.Wall | |
| 1999-00 | B.Waddell | G.Wall | |
| 1998-99 | R.Greenhough | G.Wall | R.Bergmeier |
| 1997-98 | R.Greenhough | G.Wall | |
| 1996-97 | L.Strange | G.Wall | |
| 1995-96 | L.Strange | G.Wall | |
| 1994-95 | L.Smith | C.Sandeman | S.Franzi |
| 1993-94 | L.Smith | C.Sandeman | |
| 1992-93 | L.Smith | C.Sandeman | |
| 1991-92 | W.Murdoch | J.Anderson/C.Sandeman | |
| 1990-91 | W.Murdoch | J.Anderson | |
| 1989-90 | I.Ruscoe | W.Murdoch | |
| 1988-89 | I.Ruscoe | J.Anderson | |
| 1987-88 | J.Anderson | S.Lefebrve | |
| 1986-87 | C.Sandeman | S.Lefebrve | R.Holloway + |
| 1985-86 | L.Morris | N.Dinger | |
| 1984-85 | C.D’Herville | N.Dinger | |
| 1983-84 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1982-83 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1981-82 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1980-81 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1979-80 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1978-79 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1977-78 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1976-77 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1975-76 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1975-76 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1974-75 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1973-74 | R.Holloway | V.Jones | |
| 1972-73 | R.Holloway | V.Jones |
+ Deceased