The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc

What The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc does

The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc (IRWA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in Boise, Idaho, providing training, technical assistance, and support services to drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho with populations under 10,000. The organization is comprised of over 393 direct member systems, which elect a seven-member Board of Directors that governs the association. IRWA is a state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association, which it cites as America's largest utility membership organization.

IRWA's core services include on-site technical assistance delivered by circuit riders covering daily operations and maintenance, management and finance, leak detection, cross-connection control, sanitary surveys, rate structures, operator licensure, meter testing, treatment, disinfection, well construction, and regulatory compliance for both water and wastewater systems. The organization operates a Technical Training Center in Boise with hands-on training facilities, an outdoor learning lab, and an apprenticeship program for workforce development. Training is delivered through certification review courses, Webinar Wednesday sessions, online modules via Teams Webinar, and regional in-person events across at least ten Idaho cities. Course CEUs are approved by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL).

IRWA's revenue model combines membership dues from its 393+ member systems with training registration fees (ranging from free sponsored sessions to $645 for multi-day non-member certification reviews), conference registration (Spring and Fall Conferences, Operator Expo) with exhibitor and sponsorship packages, and store sales of training manuals and educational materials. The organization also maintains the IdWARN emergency response network and publishes The Water Gram newsletter. Partnerships with USDA and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality subsidize or fully fund several training programs, indicating material reliance on state and federal sponsorship to keep member-facing training affordable.

Name

The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc

Legal name

The Idaho Rural Water Association

Website

https://idrwa.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization that delivers training, technical assistance, and certification support to over 393 small drinking water and wastewater utility systems across Idaho.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Water Utility Training and Technical Assistance Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Sewage Treatment Facilities (22132)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

EMS Training & Competency Development (EUAHAIAH)

Keywords

• Rural water utilities
• Wastewater technical assistance
• Operator certification training
• Source water protection
• Utility regulatory compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: IRWA operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with membership fees from direct member systems. The organization has over 393 direct member systems in Idaho that pay membership dues.
2. Training Registration Fees: Revenue generated from charging for training classes, certification reviews, and continuing education units (CEUs). Fees vary by member status and course type, ranging from free for some member events to several hundred dollars for multi-day certification courses.
3. Conference Registration: Revenue from Spring and Fall Annual Conferences including attendee registration, exhibitor booth fees, and sponsorship packages. Early bird rates for Fall Conference are $285 for members and $435 for non-members.
4. Store Sales: Sale of training manuals, textbooks, and educational materials through the IRWA store including AWWA and Sacramento State training manuals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IRWA provides training and technical assistance to drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho with populations under 10,000. Its offerings include one-on-one on-site circuit rider technical assistance for operations, maintenance, compliance, leak detection, and management; hands-on and online training seminars and certification exam preparation courses approved for CEUs; an apprenticeship program for new operators; and annual Spring, Fall, and Operator Expo conferences.

Product overview

Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation providing training and technical assistance to drinking water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho with populations under 10,000. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services including technical assistance programs for both water and wastewater systems, professional training seminars, certification exam preparation courses, an apprenticeship program, and annual conferences. IRWA serves over 393 direct member systems through its Technical Training Center and outdoor learning labs, providing continuing education units approved by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technical Assistance for Drinking Water Systems One-on-one on-site technical assistance for member drinking water systems covering daily operation and maintenance, management and finance, leak detection, cross-connection, sanitary surveys, rate structures, operator licensure training, meter testing, treatment, disinfection, well construction, and compliance support.
• Technical Assistance for Wastewater Systems On-site technical assistance covering operator licensure training, discharge monitoring reports, NPDES permits, collection systems, operation and maintenance, process disinfection, and safety for wastewater utility systems.
• Source Water Protection Programs Technical assistance and training for developing source water protection plans for communities, districts, and regional multi-jurisdictional areas to maintain high-quality drinking water long-term.
• Certification Review and Continuing Education Training Training seminars and review courses preparing operators for drinking water and wastewater licensure exams, with CEUs approved or pending approval by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Includes Backflow Assembly Tester re-certification, Wastewater Treatment III/IV review, Water Distribution I/II review, and related courses.
• Online Training and Webinar Wednesday Virtual training courses delivered via online platforms including Teams Webinar and the recurring Webinar Wednesday series, providing remote continuing education and topical sessions for members and non-members.
• Apprenticeship Program Apprenticeship program providing skills training for Idahoans to pursue new careers in water and wastewater utility operations.
• Spring Conference Annual spring conference featuring training sessions and exhibits showcasing the latest technological advances in the water and wastewater industry, including an exhibitor registration option.
• Fall Conference Semi-annual fall conference with training sessions, exhibits, and networking opportunities for operations specialists and public works officials. Early-bird rates $285 members / $435 non-members.
• IRWA Operator Expo Hands-on expo featuring exhibits, demonstration trailers, skills challenges on skid steers and backhoes, and education sessions where attendees can earn continuing education units.
• IRWA Store (Training Manuals and Materials) Online store selling training manuals, textbooks, and educational materials including AWWA and Sacramento State training manuals.
• Membership Program Membership program for rural water and wastewater utility systems in Idaho, including associate/sponsorship and system/individual/support membership tiers, providing access to technical assistance, training discounts, and governance participation. Over 393 direct member systems participate.
• Consumer Confidence Report Assistance Resources and assistance for water utilities in preparing and distributing Consumer Confidence Reports as required by EPA regulations.
• Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship Golf Tournament Fundraising golf tournament supporting the Tony Elfering Memorial Scholarship; $175 per person or $700 per team.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• National Rural Water Association (NRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRWA is a proud member of the National Rural Water Association, America's largest utility membership organization. This affiliation provides access to national resources, shared expertise, and a broader network of rural water utilities across the country.
• USDAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSDA sponsors various IRWA training programs including Operator Safety in the Workplace ($125 course), Wastewater Collection I/II Certification Review ($120), and Water Distribution I/II Certification Review courses, providing funding support for rural water utility professional development.
• Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEQ sponsors Source Water Protection Workshops across Idaho (Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls, Boise, Moscow, Coeur d'Alene) at no cost to participants. DEQ personnel collaborate with IRWA staff on instruction and curriculum development.
• Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRWA training classes are approved or pending approval for drinking water or wastewater CEUs by Idaho DOPL (formerly IBOL). Curriculum is based on ABC material used by DOPL for licensing exams.
• Idaho WARN (IdWARN)minorOthersIRWA provides access to IdWARN resources on its website as part of emergency response and preparedness support for member systems.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP): A national network of non-profit regional organizations providing training, technical assistance, and capacity building to small rural water and wastewater utilities. Directly comparable to IRWA in serving small rural systems with compliance, operator training, and infrastructure support.
• Montana Rural Water Systems: A neighboring state rural water association providing on-site technical assistance, circuit-rider services, and training to Montana's small rural water and wastewater systems. Operates under the same NRWA umbrella as IRWA with a directly parallel service offering.
• Oregon Association of Water Utilities: A peer state-level non-profit membership association providing training, technical assistance, and operator certification support to drinking water and wastewater utilities in Oregon. Directly comparable to IRWA in mission, revenue model (membership + training fees), and customer base of small rural utilities.
• Washington State Section of AWWA: State-level water utility association serving Washington water professionals with training, certification, and operator education. Comparable to IRWA in providing CEU-approved courses, technical training, and conferences to water utility operators in the Pacific Northwest.

Broad incumbents

• Water Environment Federation (WEF): A national water-quality organization providing technical and educational resources for wastewater professionals, including operator training and certification programming. Comparable in serving the same operator persona as IRWA's wastewater training line of business.
• National Rural Water Association: The national umbrella organization of which IRWA is a state-level member. NRWA operates at the federal level providing training, advocacy, and shared resources to all state rural water associations, with IRWA acting as the Idaho affiliate serving a directly comparable member base.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA): The largest national scientific and educational association for the water sector, providing standards, training, and certification across drinking water utilities of all sizes. IRWA explicitly sells AWWA training manuals in its store, indicating a complementary rather than purely competitive relationship.

Others

• USDairy.com: USDA Rural Development programs (Water and Environmental Programs) fund many of the same rural water infrastructure and training initiatives that IRWA supports, including sponsoring several IRWA courses. Relevant as a funder/ecosystem partner shaping IRWA's training pipeline.
• Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Idaho's state environmental regulator and a strategic partner of IRWA that co-sponsors Source Water Protection Workshops and collaborates on curriculum. Comparable in that it serves the same Idaho water utilities with overlapping compliance/educational content, though as a regulator rather than a membership association.

Emerging players

• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA): A professional credentialing body providing credentials, training, and continuing education to environmental health professionals including water operators. Comparable in delivering CEU-approved credentials relevant to IRWA's operator certification offerings.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IdahoRuralWater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@idahoruralwaterassociation6795
• Facebookfacebook.com/idahoruralwater
• Instagraminstagram.com/idahoruralwater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 The Idaho Rural Water Association Inc