Water Collaborative Delivery Association
The Water Collaborative Delivery Association (WCDA) is a U.S. non-profit membership association advancing collaborative project delivery methods — including design-build and CMAR — for the water infrastructure sector through education, research, advocacy, and an annual symposium serving utilities, contractors, and engineering firms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Water Collaborative Delivery Association does
The Water Collaborative Delivery Association (WCDA), formerly the Water Design-Build Council, is a U.S.-based non-profit membership association founded in 2006 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. WCDA's mission is to advance collaborative delivery methods — including design-build, progressive design-build, and Construction Manager at-Risk (CMAR) — within the water infrastructure sector. The organization serves a horizontal membership base spanning water and wastewater utilities, construction contractors, engineering and design firms, and product manufacturers.
WCDA's product portfolio consists of knowledge and community resources rather than software. Core offerings include Education Programs with instructor-led training, a comprehensive Handbook of best practices, a Guide to Owner Advisors for utilities, model Procurement Guides & Contracts, industry Research, and an interactive Legislative Map tracking state-level procurement regulations. The association convenes its membership through an annual flagship Symposium (most recently the 20th Anniversary Symposium in 2026), a regular newsletter distributed via SmartBrief, a blog, a Project Showcase database, glossary, and FAQ. Recent activity indicates ongoing member onboarding (Shimmick Construction, CPH Consulting, Myers & Sons Construction in 2026) and a multi-tier sponsorship program (AECOM as Platinum Sponsor; nine Gold Sponsors).
WCDA generates revenue through membership dues, symposium registration and sponsorships, and educational program fees, though specific financial figures are not publicly disclosed. The association operates with 1-10 staff under executive director Mark Alpert, with governance vested in a Board of Directors drawn from member organizations. Operating scope is U.S.-only with no disclosed international expansion.
Water Collaborative Delivery Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Water Collaborative Delivery Association
- Legal name
- Water Collaborative Delivery Association
- Website
- https://waterdesignbuild.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Water Collaborative Delivery Association (WCDA) is a U.S. non-profit membership association advancing collaborative project delivery methods — including design-build and CMAR — for the water infrastructure sector through education, research, advocacy, and an annual symposium serving utilities, contractors, and engineering firms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Water Collaborative Delivery Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Industry Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Professional Organizations (813920)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- EMS Training & Competency Development (EUAHAIAH)
Keywords
Where Water Collaborative Delivery Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Water Collaborative Delivery Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Water Collaborative Delivery Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WCDA is a membership-based industry association that advances collaborative delivery methods (design-build, progressive design-build, CMAR, P3) in the U.S. water sector. It sells organizational membership along with paid education programs, model procurement contracts, and an annual symposium, and provides members with handbooks, research, an interactive legislative map, and a project showcase database.
Product overview
The Water Collaborative Delivery Association (WCDA), formerly the Water Design-Build Council, is a professional membership association that does not offer a traditional software product. Instead, WCDA provides a portfolio of knowledge products, educational services, and industry resources focused on advancing collaborative delivery methods in the water sector. The core offerings include Education Programs with instructor-led training, a Handbook providing best practices, the Guide to Owner Advisors for water utilities, Procurement Guides & Contracts with model documents, Research including market data ($30 billion spent in the past decade, $5.3 billion annually, 10% annual growth rate), a Legislative Map tracking state regulations, and the annual 20th Anniversary Symposium for networking and education. Additional resources include a Newsletter/SmartBrief, Blog with industry perspectives, a Project Showcase database, Glossary, and FAQ. WCDA serves as the primary industry body supporting water sector professionals in adopting collaborative delivery methods such as design-build, construction manager at-risk, and public-private partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Education Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- Collaborative delivery is the fastest-growing form of project delivery in the water industry
Companies that use Water Collaborative Delivery Association
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Water Collaborative Delivery Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Water Collaborative Delivery Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered platinum sponsor and gold sponsor.
- AECOMplatinum sponsorAECOM is a platinum sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium. AECOM was an early member of WCDA recognizing the importance of collaborative delivery and its impact on the water sector. Over 20 years, collaborative delivery has evolved from sparsely used approach to widely adopted standard.
- American Cast Iron Pipe Companygold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium, reflecting commitment to collaborative delivery in water sector.
- Arcadisgold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium, supporting advancement of collaborative delivery methods.
- Brown and Caldwellgold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium, supporting water sector collaborative delivery.
- CDM Smithgold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium, advocating for collaborative delivery.
- Ferguson Waterworksgold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium.
- HDRgold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium.
- PCL Constructiongold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium.
- Rice Lakegold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium.
- U.S. Pipegold sponsorGold sponsor of WCDA's 20th Anniversary Symposium.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Water Collaborative Delivery Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Water Research Foundation (WRF): WRF is a nonprofit research organization funding water-sector studies. It is comparable to WCDA's research and education functions, but is funded by utilities and focused on applied science research rather than project delivery methods.
- National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA): NUCA represents utility infrastructure contractors, including water and sewer construction. It overlaps with WCDA's construction-company segment but focuses on underground utility construction broadly rather than collaborative delivery methods specifically.
- WateReuse Association: WateReuse is a US nonprofit focused on water recycling and reuse. It is comparable as a water-sector membership association but addresses a narrower use case (reuse/recycling) than WCDA's broader collaborative delivery focus.
Regional players
- International Water Association (IWA): IWA is a global water-sector professional association. It is comparable as a peer in the water membership-association space but operates internationally rather than US-focused, and does not specialize in project delivery methods.
Broad incumbents
- Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): AGC is the leading US construction industry trade association. Its member base includes many of WCDA's construction-company members (e.g., PCL, Shimmick), but AGC operates broadly across all construction sectors rather than specializing in water or collaborative delivery.
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): AWWA is the largest US membership organization serving water utilities and professionals. It is a broad incumbent in the same water sector as WCDA, with overlapping member audiences but a much wider mandate spanning water treatment, distribution, policy, and standards.
- Water Environment Federation (WEF): WEF is a major water-sector professional association focused on water quality and wastewater treatment. It overlaps with WCDA's audience of municipal water/wastewater professionals but is broader in technical and policy scope, not focused on project delivery methods.
- American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC): ACEC represents US engineering firms, including design firms serving the water sector (e.g., HDR, Arcadis affiliates, Brown and Caldwell peers). It is comparable as a professional association serving the same member segment WCDA targets, but at a much broader industry level.
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): ASCE is a major US professional association for civil engineers, including those working on water infrastructure. It overlaps with WCDA's engineering/designer member segment and publishes infrastructure report cards that drive water-sector investment.
Direct peers
- Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA): DBIA is the leading US association promoting design-build and integrated project delivery across all sectors. It is the most directly comparable peer to WCDA, though DBIA's scope is broader (transportation, buildings, etc.) while WCDA is water-sector specific.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Water Collaborative Delivery Association social profiles
Digital presenceWater Collaborative Delivery Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Water Collaborative Delivery Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Water Collaborative Delivery Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Water Collaborative Delivery Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Water Collaborative Delivery Association
What does Water Collaborative Delivery Association do?
WCDA is a membership-based industry association that advances collaborative delivery methods (design-build, progressive design-build, CMAR, P3) in the U.S. water sector. It sells organizational membership along with paid education programs, model procurement contracts, and an annual symposium, and provides members with handbooks, research, an interactive legislative map, and a project showcase database.
Is Water Collaborative Delivery Association a public or private company?
Water Collaborative Delivery Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Water Collaborative Delivery Association founded?
Water Collaborative Delivery Association was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Water Collaborative Delivery Association based?
Water Collaborative Delivery Association is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Water Collaborative Delivery Association's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Water Research Foundation (WRF), National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and WateReuse Association. International Water Association (IWA) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) is listed as a direct peer.
Does Water Collaborative Delivery Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Water Collaborative Delivery Association.
What industry is Water Collaborative Delivery Association in?
Water Collaborative Delivery Association's product category is Water Industry Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADANAB, Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels, with a secondary code of EUAHAIAH, EMS Training & Competency Development. Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.