CPRO-W2: The Nation’s Premier Risk Management Designation for Water and Wastewater Professionals
Building a More Resilient Water Sector
There is an urgent need for integrated risk management in the water sector in light of increasing uncertainty from climate change, escalating regulatory demands, and financial constraints. The Certified Public Risk Officer - Water & Wastewater (CPRO-W2) designation shifts risk management from isolated responses to a comprehensive enterprise framework.
Designed specifically for the water sector, candidates gain practical awareness of utility operations and learn how to implement self-reinforcing enterprise risk management systems that enhance organizational performance and community resilience. Candidates also learn how to effectively communicate risk management strategies with regulators, stakeholders, and external financial partners.
The inaugural CPRO-W2 Master Leadership Class launches in August 2025.
Sign up to be notified when registration for the next cohort opens in 2026.
Dr. Sandra Vannoy, App State University
In partnership with Appalachian State University and its Dean of the Walker College of Business, Dr. Sandra Vannoy, this designation is designed for current and aspiring risk managers. Candidates include formal utility risk managers as well as leaders in high-risk areas such as human resources, operations, finance, capital planning, and other critical functions.
The CPRO-W2 Course at a Glance
The CPRO-W2 designation is a comprehensive professional development experience with curated resources, interactive exercises, expert commentary, and case studies. Candidates may select either the Module 2 water or wastewater tract for a 50-hour learning experience, or select the combined option for a 75-hour course.
Module 1, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), introduces the fundamentals of ERM as a tool to align utility-wide risks with decision-making and organizational goals. Module 2 fast tracks operations competency with the streamlined technical essentials every risk manager should know about Water Treatment and Distribution and/or Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment. Module 3 applies Actionable Risk Management with interactive exercises and example scenarios.
Download the CPRO-W2 Fact Sheet to learn more about the course and AAWD&M’s approach to continuing professional education.
Module 1 — Enterprise Risk Management
Section 1:
Public Water System Overview
Section 2:
Water Monitoring
Section 3:
Water Hydraulics, Flow & Pumping
Section 4:
Drinking Water Conveyance & Distribution
Section 5:
Water Management, Infrastructure & Conservation
Section 6:
Plant Safety
Section 7:
Property Coverage
Section 8:
Commercial General Liability Coverage
Section 9:
Public Officials and Management Liability Coverage
Module 2a — Water Treatment and Distribution
Section 1:
Basics of Wastewater Operations & Wastewater
Section 2:
Basic Wastewater Ecology
Section 3:
Plant Security
Section 4:
Wastewater Treatment
Module 2b — Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment
Section 1:
Risk, Risk Management & Critical Infrastructure
Section 2:
Emergency Management, Business Continuity, & Sustainability
Section 3:
Risk Management for Value Creation & Preservation
Section 4:
Risk Management Process - Part I
Section 5:
Risk Management Process - Part II
Section 6:
Putting Accounting to Use for Enterprise Risk Management
Module 3 — Actionable Risk Management
Section 1:
Insurance Risk Transfer
Section 2:
Contractual Risk Transfer
Section 3:
Claims Handling
The CPRO-W2 Advisory Board
The Advisory Board informs the strategic direction of the CPRO-W2 designation.
Gordon Graham, MS, JD, CPRO-W2
Chair of the CPRO Advisory Board
“The CPRO-W2 designation and learning series delivers an important knowledge platform and goes further than any other profession-specific risk management curriculum I’ve encountered.”
Vladimir Bessarabov
East Bay Municipal Utility District
Seth Cole
Alliant Insurance Services
Benson Hua
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Matthew Ries
PhD, DC Water
Taylor Winchell
Denver Water
Timothy Worley
PhD, Ortega Strategies Group
Renée Willette
US Water Alliance
Sign Up Today
The inaugural CPRO-W2 Master Leadership Class launches August 2025. Sign up to be notified when registration for the next cohort opens in 2026.