Association of Water Technologies

What Association of Water Technologies does

The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) is an international nonprofit trade association founded in 1985, representing over 550 member companies that specialize in applying water treatments for industrial and commercial cooling and heating systems. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with an additional office in Rockville, Maryland, AWT is governed by an elected Board of Directors and operated by a small staff of 1-10 association management professionals. The organization targets three primary member segments: Water Treatment Companies (service providers, testing labs, and equipment manufacturers), Water Treatment Suppliers (chemical, equipment, and distribution firms), and Individual Members (professionals and students), with a separate free SEED Program pipeline for STEM students pursuing water treatment careers.

AWT's core product portfolio centers on professional certification, education, and publications. The flagship Certified Water Technologist (CWT) program is the industry's highest professional credential, requiring 5+ years of field experience, a rigorous examination administered through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, peer review, and adherence to a code of ethics, with five-year recertification cycles driven by Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Educational offerings include annual Technical Training Seminars (Fundamentals, Water Treatment, Wastewater, RO, Sales, and ASSE 12080 Legionella training), monthly webinars, and online safety training via The Marcom Group partnership. Content products include The Analyst quarterly magazine, the AWT Technical Reference and Training Manual, technical papers, troubleshooting guides, a Legionella resource hub, and the free AWT Calculations iOS mobile app. The annual Convention & Exposition serves as the primary networking and exhibition event.

AWT operates a diversified association revenue model with six primary streams: tiered membership dues (scaled by company revenue), annual convention registration and exhibition/sponsorship sales, paid technical training seminars, certification and recertification fees, bookstore sales of technical publications, and online safety training course fees. Distribution is hybrid: in-person events (convention, seminars), self-serve digital platforms (members-only portal, bookstore, Find a Water Professional directory, mobile app), and content marketing through The Analyst magazine, AWTGram newsletter, and social channels. Member value is enhanced through an affinity partnership ecosystem spanning Office Depot, UPS, Lenovo, Avis/Budget, Heartland payroll, and West Unified Communications, plus strategic partnerships with Pearson VUE (testing), Marcom (safety training), World Vision (clean water mission), and Suez/VenU (education delivery).

Name

Association of Water Technologies

Legal name

Association of Water Technologies

Website

https://awt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) is an international nonprofit trade association founded in 1985, serving over 550 member companies in the industrial and commercial water treatment industry through certification, training, publications, and annual networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services for Water Treatment Industry

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54199)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Monitoring & Control (Dosing Systems, Remote Monitoring, Sensors) (BPABAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) & Regulatory Reference (OSHA, EPA, Risk) (EDAGAGAJ)

Keywords

• Water treatment association
• Industrial water treatment training
• CWT certification
• Cooling water treatment education
• Trade association membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from water treatment companies, suppliers, and individual members. Company membership dues vary based on annual revenue. Individual membership available at introductory rate.
2. Annual Convention & Exposition: Annual conference with exhibition hall generating revenue through registration fees, sponsor/exhibitor packages, and booth sales. Members receive discounted rates.
3. Technical Training Seminars: In-person training courses including Fundamentals and Applications, Water Treatment, Wastewater Training, RO Training, Sales Training, and ASSE 12080 Legionella Training. Members receive discounted rates.
4. Safety Training Courses: Online safety training through Marcom partnership. Individual courses at $9.50/course for members, $17.50/course for non-members. Bulk pricing available for multiple course accesses.
5. Bookstore Sales: Sale of technical publications, training manuals, reference guides, and software tools. Members receive up to 50% discount on textbooks and reference materials.
6. Certification Fees: CWT certification exam and application processing fees. Recertification through CEU accumulation or exam retake.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AWT is an international nonprofit trade association that serves water treatment companies, their suppliers, and individual professionals through membership services, the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) credential, in-person Technical Training Seminars, an Annual Convention & Exposition, technical publications including The Analyst quarterly magazine and a bookstore, and online resources such as the AWT Calculations mobile app and members-only directory.

Product overview

The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) operates as a professional association offering a portfolio of education, certification, publications, and member services for the industrial water treatment industry. The core offerings include the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) certification program and Technical Training Seminars covering boiler water treatment, cooling water chemistry, wastewater, and Legionella safety. Supporting products include The Analyst quarterly magazine, AWT Bookstore with technical reference materials, and the AWT Calculations App (free iOS application). Member services encompass the Atlas online directory, troubleshooting guides, technical papers, and access to safety training courses through The Marcom Group partnership. The SEED Program supports student entry into the field, while the Annual Convention & Exposition provides annual networking and education opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Analyst: AWT's quarterly magazine representing the water treatment industry with technologies and applications in cooling, boiler, and wastewater treatment.
• SEED Program
• CWT (Certified Water Technologist)

Products and services

• AWT Annual Convention & Exposition Annual industry conference with educational sessions, networking opportunities, and exhibition hall for water treatment professionals and suppliers, with member-discounted registration.
• Technical Training Seminars In-person multi-day training seminars covering Sales Training, Polymeric-Membrane Separation Technologies (RO/Ultrafiltration), Fundamentals and Applications, Water Treatment, Wastewater Training, and ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety; attended by over 300 industry professionals annually.
• Certified Water Technologist (CWT) Program Professional certification program requiring a minimum of five years of field experience, a passing score on a rigorous exam, peer review, and a code of ethics commitment, with recertification required every five years through CEUs or exam retake; testing delivered through Pearson VUE centers worldwide.
• AWT Webinars Free monthly live online training sessions with Q&A for members, providing CEUs that count toward CWT recertification and covering technical topics, regulations, and industry updates.
• The Analyst Quarterly Magazine AWT's quarterly technical magazine presenting technologies and applications in cooling, boiler, and wastewater treatment, including technical/scientific articles, regulatory updates, and industry news.
• AWT Bookstore Online bookstore selling technical reference manuals, textbooks, training materials, and industry publications for water treatment professionals, with members receiving up to 50% discount.
• AWT Calculations App Free iOS mobile application allowing water treaters to perform boiler system calculations, cooling tower surveys, dealkalizer capacity calculations, and energy savings determinations in the field.
• SEED Program (Student Education and Enhancement Development) Free student program providing complimentary convention registration, member-only online access, student pricing on materials, and career preparation resources for students in chemistry, engineering, biology, or environmental science considering water treatment careers.
• Online Safety Training Online safety training courses delivered through AWT's partnership with The Marcom Group, covering OSHA/DOT regulations, hazardous materials, and industrial workplace safety topics, with member and volume-discount pricing.
• AWT Member Directory (Atlas) Online searchable directory enabling customers to locate AWT-member water treatment companies, consultants, and professionals by location, providing visibility and lead generation for member firms.
• Technical Papers Technical documents covering cooling water monitoring, Legionella, corrosion coupons, water treatment programs, and wastewater management, available through AWT's publications library.
• Members Only Resources Exclusive member resources including the Boiler Pretreatment Matrix, BioMatrix Oxidizers, Sodium Zeolite Softener Calculations, and regulatory overview documents, accessible through the Atlas members-only portal.
• Troubleshooting Guides Field reference guides providing quick answers to common water treatment questions encountered by service technicians in boiler, cooling, and wastewater settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 industry professionals attend Technical Training Seminars annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World VisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWT partners with World Vision to support clean water initiatives globally. AWT raises funds and awareness through member contributions, fundraising events, and annual charity auction at the AWT Convention. Members are encouraged to donate, volunteer, and leverage their expertise to support water treatment efforts worldwide.
• Marcom Group, Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWT partnered with The Marcom Group, Ltd. to provide online safety training courses for water treatment industry professionals. The program allows training, testing, and tracking of employee safety training with hundreds of course options.
• Pearson VuecoreTechnology or IntegrationPearson Vue provides computer-based testing facilities for the CWT certification exam. Candidates can take the exam at Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide.
• Suez/VenUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuez/VenU serves as AWT's education partner for delivering training content.
• Industry InsightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry Insights serves as AWT's benchmarking partner for industry data and performance metrics.
• Heartland (Payroll Solutions)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeartland provides payroll and HR solutions to AWT members as an affinity partner benefit, offering easy payroll management and payment solutions.
• ODP Business Solutions (Office Depot)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAWT members receive savings up to 75% on Best Value List of preferred products with free next-business-day delivery through Office Depot.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAWT partnership with UPS provides members flat rate pricing with savings of 50% on Domestic Next Day/Deferred, 30% on Ground Commercial/Residential, and up to 50% on additional services.
• Avis/Budget Car RentalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAvis Budget Group offers AWT members up to 25% off base rates, coupons, and special offers at approximately 10,000 locations in 175 countries.
• LenovominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAWT members are eligible for discounts up to 30% off on Lenovo products including laptops, tablets, desktops, and accessories, with free ground shipping.
• West Unified CommunicationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWest Unified Communications (InterCall) offers AWT members special rates for audio and web conferencing, saving up to 70%.
• Ascent Global LogisticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAscent Global Logistics is AWT's transportation provider for shipments over 150 lbs, providing 5-35% cost reduction through carrier bargaining power.
• HC InfominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAWT members receive 25% off HC Info e-Learning courses for water management plans and sampling services. All 8 courses count toward CWT continuing education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE): ASHRAE is a much larger global society advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. AWT's water treatment focus for cooling and heating systems overlaps directly with ASHRAE's mechanical systems domain, and both offer standards, training, certification, and conferences; however ASHRAE is far broader and far larger in scope and scale.
• Association of Energy Engineers (AEE): AEE is a nonprofit professional society serving energy management professionals with certifications (CEM, CMVP), training programs, and conferences. Comparable to AWT as a similarly structured association offering certification, training, and events to industrial professionals, with overlap in energy efficiency interests related to boiler and cooling system optimization.

Direct peers

• International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO): IAPMO is an international association developing plumbing and mechanical codes, with training, certification, and member services. Comparable to AWT as a nonprofit membership association for building water/mechanical system professionals, with overlapping subject matter around water safety, Legionella, and codes.
• American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE): ASPE is a professional organization for plumbing engineers and designers, offering education, certification, publications, and a biennial convention. Comparable to AWT in operating model (nonprofit, member-driven, training/certification/publishing/events) and adjacent subject matter (building water systems).
• Cooling Technology Institute (CTI): CTI is a member-based association serving cooling tower and evaporative heat transfer equipment users, manufacturers, and service providers. Highly comparable to AWT because cooling water treatment is central to both organizations, and CTI operates a similar model of technical publications, certification programs (CTI Cooling Tower Operator certification), and an annual conference.
• National Association of Water Companies (NAWC): NAWC represents private-sector water utility companies before federal and state regulators and supports the investor-owned water utility industry. Comparable to AWT as a water-sector membership association providing advocacy, conferences, and member services, though serving utility operators rather than industrial water treaters.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA): AWWA is the largest international nonprofit scientific and educational association dedicated to safe water, representing drinking water utilities and professionals. AWT is directly comparable as a water-focused membership association serving industry professionals with training, certification, publications, and annual conferences, though AWT focuses on industrial/commercial water treatment while AWWA focuses on potable water utilities.
• Water Environment Federation (WEF): WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization representing water quality professionals in the wastewater and water reuse sectors. Comparable to AWT as a water-focused association offering training, certification, technical publications, and member services, with overlap in AWT's wastewater training track.
• National Ground Water Association (NGWA): NGWA is a nonprofit trade association for the groundwater industry, serving contractors, scientists, and engineers with training, certification, and advocacy. Operates on the same nonprofit membership association model as AWT with similar education, certification, and event revenue streams, though focused on groundwater rather than cooling/heating system water treatment.

Others

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB is a large trade association representing the residential construction industry. While not a direct competitor, it shares the nonprofit trade association operating model (membership, certification, training, conventions, publications) and engages with the broader building water systems ecosystem in which AWT members operate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/awtonline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WaterTechnologies?feature=watch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-water-technologies-awt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Water Technologies