The award was established in 1916 by the Western Society of Engineers in response to a recommendation to the society by Mr. John W. Alvord, one of its past presidents. Mr. Alvord is known for his work with water and sanitary systems. Especially noteworthy is the work in which Mr. Alvord developed recommendations for the City of Racine, Wisconsin, to address and change the business of sanitation. His approach was to provide what was then known as a "multi-barrier" approach to public health protection.