SWPA
SWPA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1976 that serves submersible wastewater pump manufacturers through technical publications, training programs, industry statistical reporting, and member networking across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SWPA does
SWPA (Submersible Wastewater Pump Association) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1976 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It serves manufacturers of submersible pumps used in municipal and industrial wastewater applications, with membership categories for Regular Members (pump manufacturers), Component Members (parts and accessory suppliers), and Associate Members (service providers). The association's stated mission is to inform, educate, and provide leadership in the design, procurement, and operation of submersible wastewater pumping systems.
The core product portfolio is built around knowledge products and training rather than physical goods. Flagship publications include the Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook (5th Edition, 232 pages, released 2026 with over 30,000 copies distributed worldwide since 1984), the Start-Up and Field Check-Out Procedures Manual, and the Grinder Pumps in Pressure Sewers Manual. Training is delivered through SWPA University (an on-demand subscription platform powered by uscreen and co-developed with Pumps & Systems magazine), the SWPA 200 virtual classroom (10-week program), and the annual Pumping Systems and Controls Training Seminar. The association also operates a Statistical Reporting Program collecting quarterly shipment data and an Annual Industry Outlook Survey.
Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring membership dues (tiered by member company annual sales), one-time publication sales (Handbook at $42.95 plus shipping, manuals at $10.95 each), and subscription training fees (SWPA University, pricing not publicly disclosed). Marketing channels include a bimonthly column in Pumps & Systems magazine, three annual general membership meetings, LinkedIn and Facebook presence, and direct email outreach. The association operates with a small staff and is governed by an elected Board of Directors drawn from member companies.
SWPA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SWPA
- Legal name
- Submersible Wastewater Pump Association
- Website
- https://swpa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SWPA is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1976 that serves submersible wastewater pump manufacturers through technical publications, training programs, industry statistical reporting, and member networking across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SWPA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services (Water and Wastewater Pump Industry)
- NAICS
- Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Utilities (221)
- SIC
- Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Sanitary Services (4950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Wastewater & Effluent Treatment Services (BPALAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)
Keywords
Where SWPA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SWPA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Regular Members (pump manufacturers), Component Members (parts/accessory manufacturers), and Associate Members (service providers). Companies self-report annual sales ranges from Under $1.5MM to $20+ million.
- Publication Sales: Sale of technical handbooks, manuals, and guides. Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook 5th Edition priced at $42.95 plus $6.00 shipping; Start-Up Manual at $10.95 plus $2.50 shipping; Grinder Pumps Manual at $10.95 plus $3.50 shipping.
- Training Programs: SWPA University offers on-demand subscription training programs for water and wastewater professionals, including CEU credits. Also offers live training events including the annual Pumping Systems and Controls Training Seminar.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook 5th Edition |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Start-Up and Field Check-Out Procedures Manual |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Grinder Pumps in Pressure Sewers Manual |
| Subscription | Annual | SWPA University On-Demand Training Subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
SWPA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SWPA is a non-profit trade association that serves manufacturers of submersible pumps for municipal and industrial wastewater applications through technical publications (Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook now in its 5th Edition, plus manuals on start-up procedures and grinder pumps), professional training (SWPA University on-demand and live seminars), and industry data services (Statistical Reporting Program and Annual Industry Outlook Survey). The association also provides regulatory advocacy, federal legislative updates, networking events, and scholarship programs for students entering the wastewater industry.
Product overview
SWPA (Submersible Wastewater Pump Association) is a national trade association founded in 1976 serving manufacturers of submersible pumps for municipal and industrial wastewater applications. Rather than a single product company, SWPA offers a portfolio of knowledge products, training services, and industry data programs. The core offerings include the Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook (now in 5th Edition) as the flagship technical publication, supplemented by the Start-Up and Field Check-Out Procedures Manual and Grinder Pumps in Pressure Sewers Manual. Training is delivered through SWPA University, which combines on-demand courses with a 10-week virtual classroom (SWPA 200) and live Pumping Systems and Controls Training Seminars. SWPA also operates a Statistical Reporting Program that collects quarterly shipment data and conducts an Annual Industry Outlook Survey. The association provides scholarship programs for students entering the wastewater field, hosts multiple annual conferences, and publishes technical articles through Pumps & Systems magazine. SWPA membership includes Regular Members (pump manufacturers), Component Members (parts suppliers), and Associate Members (service providers).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SWPA University: Online training hub for water and wastewater professionals offering on-demand courses, virtual classrooms, and CEU credits for submersible wastewater pumping systems education.
Products and services
- Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems (SWPA) Handbook, 5th Edition
- Start-Up and Field Check-Out Procedures Manual for Submersible Lift Stations
- Grinder Pumps in Pressure Sewers Manual
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 30,000 handbook copies distributed worldwide since 1984
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SWPA
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SWPA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SWPA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pumps & SystemscorePumps & Systems serves as a co-sponsor for SWPA's annual Pumping Systems and Controls Training Seminar. SWPA also partnered with Pumps & Systems to develop SWPA University, an online training platform offering on-demand courses for water and wastewater professionals.
- WWEMA (Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association)minorWWEMA presenters participate in SWPA's Annual Meeting providing federal legislative updates alongside EPA representatives.
- EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)minorEPA representatives participate in SWPA's Annual Meeting providing regulatory and environmental policy updates to members.
- uscreencoreuscreen provides the technology platform powering SWPA University, enabling on-demand course delivery, virtual classrooms, and subscription management for the association's online training programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SWPA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Water Environment Federation (WEF): WEF is a large, established water-quality organization covering the full wastewater and water-resources ecosystem. It is comparable to SWPA as a membership-driven knowledge and training body serving the wastewater sector, but operates at much broader scope and scale.
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): AWWA is the principal US association for drinking water utilities and professionals. It is comparable to SWPA as a standards-setting, training, and advocacy body serving the municipal water sector, though it focuses on water supply rather than submersible wastewater pumping.
- National Ground Water Association (NGWA): NGWA serves groundwater professionals, contractors, and suppliers, including those involved in wastewater pumping and well systems. It is comparable to SWPA as a membership association providing technical education, certification, and industry advocacy in the water/wastewater equipment space.
- Water Quality Association (WQA): WQA is a US trade association representing water treatment equipment manufacturers and dealers. It is comparable to SWPA in offering member education, certification programs, and industry advocacy for water-treatment product manufacturers, though its focus is residential/light-commercial treatment rather than submersible wastewater pumping.
Emerging players
- US Water Alliance: The US Water Alliance is a nonprofit collaborative advancing sustainable water policy and innovation. It is comparable to SWPA as a nonprofit membership organization convening stakeholders around water-sector advancement, though its focus is policy and innovation rather than equipment-specific standards and training.
- Water Design-Build Council: The Water Design-Build Council is a smaller industry council focused on collaborative design-build delivery for water and wastewater projects. It is comparable to SWPA in serving water/wastewater infrastructure stakeholders with education and advocacy, though it targets project delivery methods rather than specific equipment categories.
Others
- Pumps & Systems Magazine: Pumps & Systems is the leading trade media brand covering the global pump industry. It is comparable to SWPA as a key channel for technical content, training, and industry communication for pump professionals, and is also SWPA's primary media and SWPA University co-development partner.
Direct peers
- Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA): WWEMA is a US trade association representing manufacturers of water and wastewater equipment. It is the closest direct peer to SWPA, sharing member-driven governance, advocacy, and overlapping manufacturer membership in the wastewater equipment value chain.
- Hydraulic Institute: The Hydraulic Institute is the broader US trade association for the pump industry, developing standards and education across pump categories. It is comparable to SWPA because it serves pump manufacturers with technical standards, training, and industry data, though across all pump types rather than just submersible wastewater.
Regional players
- American Society of Civil Engineers - Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute: ASCE's UESI serves utility infrastructure engineers, including those who specify submersible pumping systems. It is comparable to SWPA in providing technical standards and continuing education relevant to pump specifiers, though it operates at a broader engineering-discipline level rather than a single-product focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SWPA social profiles
Digital presenceSWPA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SWPA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
SWPA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SWPA 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 SWPA
What does SWPA do?
SWPA is a non-profit trade association that serves manufacturers of submersible pumps for municipal and industrial wastewater applications through technical publications (Submersible Sewage Pumping Systems Handbook now in its 5th Edition, plus manuals on start-up procedures and grinder pumps), professional training (SWPA University on-demand and live seminars), and industry data services (Statistical Reporting Program and Annual Industry Outlook Survey). The association also provides regulatory advocacy, federal legislative updates, networking events, and scholarship programs for students entering the wastewater industry.
Is SWPA a public or private company?
SWPA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SWPA founded?
SWPA was founded in 1976. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SWPA based?
SWPA is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does SWPA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are publication Sales and training Programs.
Who are SWPA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Water Environment Federation (WEF), American Water Works Association (AWWA), National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and Water Quality Association (WQA). Emerging players are US Water Alliance and Water Design-Build Council. Pumps & Systems Magazine is listed as an others. Direct peers are Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA) and Hydraulic Institute. American Society of Civil Engineers - Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute is listed as a regional player.
Does SWPA have an API?
No public API is recorded for SWPA.
What industry is SWPA in?
SWPA's product category is Trade Association Services (Water and Wastewater Pump Industry). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAHAD, Industrial Wastewater & Effluent Treatment Services, with a secondary code of EUAHABAB, Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA). Its NAICS code is 22132 and its SIC code is 3561.