Compliance with the AWWA standards is __________, and products __________ AWWA approved.

• A. Mandatory, have never been
• B. Encouraged, have never been
• C. Encouraged, are always tested first to be
• D. Mandatory, are always tested first to be

Answer: (B)

AWWA standards are voluntary guidelines that utilities and manufacturers are encouraged to follow to ensure consistent performance and safety, but there is no mandatory requirement to comply. Because adhering to standards is not a regulatory mandate, products may meet the standards without going through the formal approval process. AWWA approval involves a specific testing/certification process, and not all products undergo that path, so many have never been AWWA approved even if they align with the standards. That’s why the best fit is that compliance is encouraged, and products have never been AWWA approved. The other options imply mandatory compliance or universal testing/approval, which doesn’t reflect how AWWA standards and approvals typically operate.