Delaware Rural Water Association
Delaware Rural Water Association is a non-profit membership association serving rural water and wastewater operators and small municipal systems across Delaware with training, technical assistance, ASSE certification, and an apprenticeship program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersMilford, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Delaware Rural Water Association does
Delaware Rural Water Association (DRWA) is a non-profit membership association incorporated in 1990 and headquartered in Milford, Delaware, serving as the state's only statewide association dedicated to rural water and wastewater systems. The organization supports water and wastewater professionals — primarily operators and small municipal systems serving populations under 10,000 — through four functional pillars: technical assistance (on-site field specialists covering rate development, testing methods, regulatory compliance, Consumer Confidence Reports, and disaster/cybersecurity preparedness), training services (ASSE-certified backflow prevention courses priced from $55 to $1,120, operator certification prep courses, and free grant-funded classes), a Registered Apprenticeship Program for workforce pipeline development, and backflow testing services scheduled through the Syncta platform.
DRWA operates a community-led go-to-market model: membership requires Board of Directors approval and unlocks tiered benefits, affinity partner programs (including healthcare through Affinity Benefits), legislative representation, and event access (Annual Conference, DRWA Expo, and Bob Slater Sporting Clay Shoot). Revenue is generated through a mix of recurring membership dues, fee-based professional training, eight corporate sponsorships (HydroCorp, KCI Technologies, Pennoni Associates, Ferguson Waterworks, Southern Corrosion, 120Water, Davis Bowen & Friedel, Hawkins Inc.), and on-site backflow testing services. The team of ~14 staff includes an Executive Director (Heather Warren, appointed March 2024), Financial Director, Technical Services lead, Apprenticeship Coordinator, Source Water Specialist, Wastewater Technician, Water Circuit Rider, and EPA WW Trainer.
The organization is governed by a Board drawn from member systems (Town of Bridgeville, Town of Frederica, Town of Milton, Mountaire Farms of Delaware) and affiliated with the National Rural Water Association. Recent strategic activity includes a 2025 partnership with DNREC to assess infrastructure across Delaware's 170+ manufactured home communities, co-endorsement of the UPGRADE Act alongside NACo and SERCAP, and a new Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026. DRWA's value proposition rests on regulatory expertise, field-experienced technical staff, and a closed-loop member ecosystem — not on proprietary technology.
Delaware Rural Water Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Delaware Rural Water Association
- Legal name
- Delaware Rural Water Association
- Website
- https://drwa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Delaware Rural Water Association is a non-profit membership association serving rural water and wastewater operators and small municipal systems across Delaware with training, technical assistance, ASSE certification, and an apprenticeship program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Delaware Rural Water Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water and Wastewater Training Services
- NAICS
- Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Water Supply (4941)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Water Sourcing & Abstraction (Surface Water, Groundwater, Intake Works) (EUANAAAA)
Keywords
Where Delaware Rural Water Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Delaware Rural Water Association 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 for water and wastewater systems, with tiered benefits. All membership applications must be approved by the Board of Directors.
- Training Services: Fee-based training courses including ASSE certification programs, operator certification prep courses, and continuing education hours. Courses range from free to $1,120 depending on duration and certification type.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsor partnerships providing financial and organizational support. Sponsors include HydroCorp, KCI Technologies, Pennoni Associates, Ferguson Waterworks, Southern Corrosion, 120Water, Davis Bowen & Friedel, and Hawkins, Inc.
- Backflow Testing Services: On-site backflow testing services offered through a dedicated scheduling platform (Syncta).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Onsite Disposal Systems Inspection and Maintenance Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification (5-day/40 hour) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Backflow Prevention Program Surveyor Recertification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Backflow Prevention Administrator Recertification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Backflow Prevention Assembly Repairer Certification (3-day) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Backflow Prevention Assembly Recertification (1-day/8 hour) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Cross Connection Surveyor with Tester Certification (3-day/24 hour) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ASSE Cross Connection Surveyor without Tester Certification (5-day/40 hour) |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Chemistry of Water Course |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Threats and Challenges Facing Water and Wastewater Sector |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Onsite Wastewater Treatment & Disposal System Inspectors Course (Class H Certification Prep) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | DRWA Expo Attendee Registration |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Class B Designer Certification Prep Course |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Delaware Rural Water Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Delaware Rural Water Association is a non-profit membership association that provides training, technical assistance, and workforce development services for rural water and wastewater systems in Delaware. Its core offerings include ASSE-certified backflow prevention courses, water and wastewater operator certification preparation, a registered apprenticeship program, on-site field technical assistance (Circuit Riders), and backflow testing scheduling. Revenue is generated from annual membership dues, fee-based training courses, event registrations, and corporate sponsorships.
Product overview
Delaware Rural Water Association (DRWA) operates as a non-profit membership organization offering a portfolio of training, technical assistance, and certification services for water and wastewater professionals. The core offerings include Water & Wastewater Training Services (featuring ASSE-certified backflow prevention courses and operator exam preparation), the DRWA Apprenticeship Program (registered apprenticeship for industry workforce development), Backflow Testing Services scheduling, and Technical Assistance services. DRWA also organizes signature events including an Annual Conference, DRWA Expo, and Annual Sporting Clay Tournament. These products and services work together to support rural water and wastewater systems across Delaware through workforce development, regulatory compliance assistance, and professional certification.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Water and Wastewater Training Services
- DRWA Apprenticeship Program
- Backflow Testing Services
- Technical Assistance
- ASSE Backflow Prevention Certification Courses
- DRWA Events
Quantifiable outcome
- Over two decades of work implementing meaningful backflow prevention and cross-connection control protections in Delaware
Companies that use Delaware Rural Water Association
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Delaware Rural Water Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Delaware Rural Water Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) - Division of WatercoreDNREC Division of Water received EPA funding for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure assessment in manufactured home communities. DRWA collaborates on identifying systems needing evaluation and assistance. Verdantas contracted to conduct assessments.
- VerdantasminorDelaware engineering and environmental science consulting firm contracted by DNREC to conduct wastewater and drinking water infrastructure assessments in manufactured home communities.
- National Association of Counties (NACo)minorNational advocacy organization that has endorsed the UPGRADE Act supported by DRWA, representing county governments' interests in water infrastructure.
- National Rural Water AssociationcoreNational parent organization. DRWA Board member Jigar Patel previously served as Roving Circuit Rider for National Rural Water Association. DRWA President serves as National Director.
- Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP)minorRegional organization providing assistance to rural communities, co-endorsing the UPGRADE Act alongside DRWA.
- Ferguson WaterworksminorIndustrial plumbing and waterworks distributor as corporate sponsor. Provides water and wastewater equipment and supplies.
- Affinity BenefitscoreHealthcare and ancillary benefits partner providing member benefit programs for DRWA members. Offers healthcare options and employee benefits programs specifically designed for association members.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Delaware Rural Water Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- 120Water: Water management software and compliance platform serving public water systems; currently a DRWA corporate sponsor but also an emerging player whose integrated digital compliance tools could partially substitute for DRWA's traditional training/technical assistance.
Broad incumbents
- Water Environment Federation (WEF): Major global nonprofit for water quality professionals covering wastewater and stormwater, with overlapping training and certification offerings for utility operators.
- WaterISAC: Information sharing and analysis center for the water and wastewater sector; relevant peer given DRWA's cybersecurity training initiatives for utilities.
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): Large, established international nonprofit serving the drinking water profession with overlapping training, certification, and policy advocacy for water utilities.
Direct peers
- National Rural Water Association: National umbrella organization for state rural water associations including DRWA. DRWA's President serves as National Director, making NRWA the closest peer in mission, structure, and constituency.
- Maryland Rural Water Association: State rural water association in neighboring Maryland providing analogous training, circuit rider, and technical assistance services to small systems.
- Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP): Regional rural water assistance organization co-endorsing the UPGRADE Act with DRWA; offers overlapping training, infrastructure funding access, and community development services.
- Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP): National nonprofit network providing technical assistance, training, and capacity-building to rural water and wastewater systems—directly comparable mission and customer base.
- Virginia Rural Water Association: Mid-Atlantic state rural water association with comparable membership, training, and on-site technical assistance programs for rural utilities.
- Pennsylvania Rural Water Association: State-level peer association serving rural water and wastewater systems in Pennsylvania with the same training, technical assistance, and membership model as DRWA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Delaware Rural Water Association social profiles
Digital presenceDelaware Rural Water Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Delaware Rural Water Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Delaware Rural Water Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Delaware Rural Water 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 Delaware Rural Water Association
What does Delaware Rural Water Association do?
Delaware Rural Water Association is a non-profit membership association that provides training, technical assistance, and workforce development services for rural water and wastewater systems in Delaware. Its core offerings include ASSE-certified backflow prevention courses, water and wastewater operator certification preparation, a registered apprenticeship program, on-site field technical assistance (Circuit Riders), and backflow testing scheduling. Revenue is generated from annual membership dues, fee-based training courses, event registrations, and corporate sponsorships.
Is Delaware Rural Water Association a public or private company?
Delaware Rural Water Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Delaware Rural Water Association founded?
Delaware Rural Water Association was founded in 1990. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Delaware Rural Water Association based?
Delaware Rural Water Association is headquartered in Milford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Delaware Rural Water Association make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are training Services, corporate Sponsorships and backflow Testing Services.
Who are Delaware Rural Water Association's main competitors?
120Water is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Water Environment Federation (WEF), WaterISAC and American Water Works Association (AWWA). Direct peers are National Rural Water Association, Maryland Rural Water Association, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP), Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Virginia Rural Water Association and Pennsylvania Rural Water Association.
Does Delaware Rural Water Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Delaware Rural Water Association.
What industry is Delaware Rural Water Association in?
Delaware Rural Water Association's product category is Water and Wastewater Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAE, Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 8600.