Missouri Rural Water Association

What Missouri Rural Water Association does

Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) is a Missouri-focused, member-funded nonprofit association founded in 1966 that delivers training, technical assistance, advocacy, and operational support to the state's water and wastewater utilities. Its membership is structured in three tiers — System (covers all employees of a water/wastewater utility), Individual (professional membership), and Associate (vendor/supplier membership in Gold, Silver, and Bronze packages at $5,200, $4,200, and $3,500 annually). The association claims over 1,000 member systems and reaches 4,000+ email subscribers through bi-weekly e-News Updates.

MRWA's service portfolio centers on field-delivered technical assistance via Circuit Riders (covering drinking water, wastewater TMF, EPA small systems, and energy efficiency), an NRWA-aligned registered apprenticeship program, certification-approved training and a recurring conference calendar (Annual Conference, Bootheel Expo, Office Professionals' Seminar, Fall Operations & Maintenance Symposium, Clerk's Workshop), and a small-utility billing software product (S.U.B.S.). The technology stack is light: a website with classifieds, web banner advertising, a mobile app for conferences, and an online learning integration with SunCoast Learning Systems; no API, SDK, or AI/ML components are disclosed. The organization maintains a 7-member board representing geographic regions of Missouri and is led by Executive Director Howard Baker and CFO Crystal Cooper, with a staff of 11–50.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership dues, paid training and conference registrations (e.g., Bootheel Expo $175 member / $275 non-member; Office Professionals' Seminar $200 / $375; Fall Symposium $250 / $450), advertising sales across web banners, e-News, and the bimonthly Missouri WaterLines magazine, classified listings, and store merchandise. A 30+ year channel partnership with D.A. Davidson & Co. has facilitated over $1 billion in bond and lease financing for member infrastructure projects, ranging from $17,000 to $100 million. Geographic scope is single-state (Missouri), and the organization is a state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association.

Name

Missouri Rural Water Association

Legal name

Missouri Rural Water Association

Website

https://moruralwater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Missouri Rural Water Association (MRWA) is a 1966-founded nonprofit association serving 1,000+ Missouri water and wastewater utilities with tiered membership, field-based technical assistance via circuit riders, certification-approved training, conferences, financing facilitation, and a registered apprenticeship program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Wastewater Utility Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB), Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Wastewater technical assistance
• Operator certification training
• Rural water association
• Utility financing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mouscron

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Membership Dues: Yearly membership fee entitling members to email notifications, magazine subscription, newsletter, and legislative representation
2. System Membership Dues: Covers everyone employed by the water/wastewater system. Best value membership covering all employees of publicly-owned systems
3. Associate Membership (Gold/Silver/Bronze Packages): Vendor/supplier membership with tiered benefits including booth space, advertising, and conference access. Gold $5,200, Silver $4,200, Bronze $3,500 annually
4. Training Registration Fees: Fees for training courses and certification programs. Registration costs based on membership status. DS/II/III Short Course $600-$800
5. Conference Registration Fees: Bootheel Expo member registration $175, non-member $275; Office Pro's Seminar $200 member/$375 non-member; Fall Operations Symposium $250 member/$450 non-member
6. Advertising Revenue: Web banners ($600 annually), magazine advertising (Full Page, 1/2 Page, 1/4 Page, Business Card sizes), e-News banners
7. Classified Ads: Online classified ads with 90-day placement for employment, for sale, and other categories
8. Store/Product Sales: MRWA store for publications, forms, and merchandise

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Missouri Rural Water Association is a nonprofit membership-based association providing professional services, technical assistance, training, and legislative representation to water and wastewater utilities across Missouri. Its core offerings include on-site field technical assistance delivered by circuit riders (drinking water, wastewater, energy efficiency, EPA TTA), operator certification training programs approved for Missouri DNR renewal credit, GIS mapping services, leak detection and sourcewater protection support, and an Apprenticeship Program. The association also offers the S.U.B.S. Small Utility Billing Software, scholarships, awards programs, and financing facilitation through its D.A. Davidson partnership.

Product overview

Missouri Rural Water Association is a professional association serving Missouri water and wastewater utilities with a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected services. The core offerings include Field & Training Services (on-site technical assistance, operator certification, GIS mapping, leak detection, energy assessments, wastewater technical assistance), the MRWA S.U.B.S. billing software, and the MRWA Apprenticeship Program providing registered apprenticeships through the NRWA program. Training and events form a major pillar, with MRWA Training & Events (Bootheel Expo, Office Professionals' Seminar, Fall Operations & Maintenance Symposium, Annual Conference, Clerk's Workshop) offering MoDNR certification credits, complemented by online learning through SunCoast Learning Systems. The association provides specialized resource centers including Lead and Copper Rule Resources, PFAS/PFOS Resources, and a Cyber Readiness Institute Partnership for cybersecurity support. Member benefits include Missouri Water Lines Magazine (bimonthly publication), Water Drop Awards for Excellence recognition, COPP certification for office professionals, scholarship programs, drug take-back events, and Financing On Tap! through D.A. Davidson & Co. for infrastructure projects. The three-tier membership structure (System, Individual, Associate) provides tailored access to these services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Field & Training Services On-site technical assistance and training services including Operator Certification support, Water Technical Assistance, Sourcewater Protection Planning, GIS Mapping of water and wastewater systems, Leak Detection Assistance, Energy Assessments, and Wastewater Technical Assistance including smoke testing for inflow/infiltration detection. Targets Missouri water and wastewater utilities.
• MRWA S.U.B.S. Small Utility Billing Software Small utility billing software offered by MRWA for managing water and wastewater utility billing operations. Designed for small utilities.
• MRWA Apprenticeship Program A registered apprenticeship program for water and wastewater workers lasting approximately two years, combining on-the-job training (minimum 2,000 hours) with related technical instruction (at least 144 hours annually), providing a pathway to industry credentials and state certification. MRWA is the verified instructor for the NRWA Apprenticeship Program.
• MRWA Training & Events Comprehensive training calendar including certification courses, virtual training, hands-on training, board/council training, and online courses through SunCoast Learning Systems. Events include Bootheel Expo, Office Professionals' Seminar, Fall Operations & Maintenance Symposium, Annual Conference, and Clerk's Workshop. Approved for Missouri DNR operator certification renewal credit hours.
• Bootheel Expo Annual two-day expo in August providing water and wastewater operator training with MoDNR certification credit hours (DW, DS, WW), exhibitor booths, and networking opportunities for Missouri water and wastewater utilities. Held at Black River Coliseum, Poplar Bluff, MO. Member registration $175, non-member $275.
• Missouri WaterLines Magazine Award-winning bi-annual magazine published in summer and winter, providing industry news, regulatory updates, and feature stories relevant to Missouri water and wastewater utilities. Advertising opportunities in Full Page, 1/2 Page, 1/4 Page, and Business Card sizes.
• Financing On Tap! Bond and lease financing program through partnership with D.A. Davidson & Co., providing project financing from $17,000 to $100,000,000 for water towers, sewer lift stations, vehicle/equipment leasing, water meters, pipeline construction, pipe retrofitting, water/wastewater treatment facilities. Over $1 billion in project financing has been provided for MRWA member systems through this partnership.
• Member Services (System, Individual, Associate Memberships) Three-tier membership structure providing System Membership (covers all employees of water/wastewater systems), Individual Membership (email notifications, magazine subscription, e-Updates, legislative representation), and Associate Membership (Gold $5,200 / Silver $4,200 / Bronze $3,500 packages for service providers with event booth space and advertising benefits).
• Certified Office Professional Program (COPP) Certification program recognizing office and managerial activities in the water industry, providing opportunities for office professionals to demonstrate knowledge and professionalism with application, renewal, and manual documentation.
• WaterDrop Awards for Excellence Annual recognition awards including Drinking Water System of the Year, Wastewater System of the Year, Sourcewater Protection System of the Year, Office Professional of the Year, Water Operator of the Year, and Wastewater Operator of the Year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 billion in project financing provided for member systems through financing partnerships
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• SunCoast Learning SystemsmajorTechnology or IntegrationOnline learning platform partner providing water and wastewater training courses approved for Missouri Department of Natural Resources operator certification renewal credit hours. Allows members to earn renewal hours anytime, anywhere.
• Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization providing free cybersecurity tools, training, templates, and guidance. CRI's Cyber Readiness Program designed for organizations without dedicated cybersecurity staff. Provides Cyber Coach support and focuses on Core Four practices: passwords/MFA, software updates, phishing awareness, and secure storage.
• National Rural Water Association (NRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization providing apprenticeship program framework and resources. MRWA is Missouri's verified instructor for NRWA apprenticeship program. NRWA also provides Products & Services Portfolio with fleet programs and vendor partnerships.
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR)coreOthersRegulatory agency overseeing operator certification. MRWA training approved for MoDNR renewal credit hours. MoDNR provides grant funding and regulatory guidance for lead service line inventory and PFAS compliance.
• Missouri Special Districts Insurance (MSDi)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance program for public entities including water and wastewater systems. Provides liability coverage with competitive pricing and returns funds to MRWA for equipment purchases.
• Ford Motor Company and Chrysler GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNRWA fleet discount partnerships combining buying power of 31,000 utility members for reduced pricing on utility vehicles.
• ServLineminorOthersResidential service line and leak adjustment insurance program backed by Hanover Insurance Company. Covers water loss with no deductible and repairs/replacement of water and sewer lines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nebraska Rural Water Association: Nebraska's NRWA-affiliated state association offering training, circuit rider technical assistance, and membership services to rural water/wastewater utilities. Highly comparable structure and member profile to MRWA in a neighboring state.
• Iowa Rural Water Association: Iowa's state rural water association providing membership services, training, on-site technical assistance, and legislative representation to Iowa water/wastewater utilities — same operating model as MRWA, serving a comparable rural Midwestern utility base.
• Kansas Rural Water Association: A neighboring state rural water association offering the same membership tiers, training, circuit riders, and advocacy services to Kansas water/wastewater utilities. Most structurally comparable peer given shared NRWA affiliation, similar state-scale operations, and overlapping geography.
• Oklahoma Rural Water Association: Oklahoma's state rural water association delivering training, certification support, technical assistance, and advocacy to Oklahoma water utilities — same model and customer base as MRWA, differentiated primarily by state geography.
• Arkansas Rural Water Association: Arkansas's NRWA state affiliate providing the same membership, training, circuit rider, and advocacy services to Arkansas rural water/wastewater systems. Direct peer in model and member profile.

Broad incumbents

• National Rural Water Association: National parent organization of MRWA and 49 other state rural water associations. Directly comparable as it provides the apprenticeship framework, PFAS cost-recovery program, and federal advocacy that MRWA delivers at the state level — MRWA is essentially the Missouri franchisee of NRWA's national model.
• Water Environment Federation: National not-for-profit providing technical education, training, and certification for water quality professionals with a strong wastewater focus. Comparable in training-and-certification scope to MRWA's wastewater training, but operates nationally and across all utility sizes.
• American Water Works Association: The largest national water utility professional association serving drinking water professionals across the U.S. with standards, training, and advocacy. Overlaps with MRWA on training and advocacy but operates at national scope and serves utilities of all sizes — a broader incumbent rather than a direct rural-state specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MoRuralWater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MissouriRuralWater
• Facebookfacebook.com/moruralwater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missouri-rural-water-association/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/moruralwater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 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 Missouri Rural Water Association