South County Regional Wastewater Authority

What South County Regional Wastewater Authority does

South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA), established in 1977, is a 501(c)(3) trade association affiliated with the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) that serves public and private water and wastewater utilities throughout South Carolina. The organization operates a community-led go-to-market model and addresses regulatory compliance, operational expertise, infrastructure financing, workforce development, emergency preparedness, and legislative advocacy for its member systems, which collectively serve approximately 2 million South Carolina residents.

The association's core "products" are membership services rather than physical goods: training and certification programs (CDL Training, Governance & Management Academy, continuing education, licensing prep, and online learning delivered via SunCoast), publications (quarterly Water is Life magazine, semi-monthly Clear E-News, annual Membership Directory, Rate Study and Salary Survey reports), and an annual events calendar including the Annual Conference, Decision Makers Summit, Equipment & Operators EXPO, and OfficePro. Its underlying technology stack is partnership-driven and non-proprietary, leveraging 120Water for compliance/water safety data management, SunCoast Online Learning for training delivery, GIS services, Gallagher for insurance, Cyber Solutions for IT and cybersecurity, Nexbillpay for online billing, and USDA/RUS for the Rural Water Loan Fund. SCWARN (SC Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network), of which SCRWA is a co-founding agency, provides emergency mutual aid, and LACI delivers state and federal legislative advocacy.

Revenue is generated through a diversified set of streams: recurring membership dues from system and associate members, training and professional services fees, one-time publication and survey sales ($100 for members, $150 for non-members), digital advertising and event sponsorships (via Association Partner and Kelman & Associates), and shared services revenue from partner programs (fleet discounts through Ford/Chrysler via NRWA, below-market 3% USDA loans, discounted IT and insurance). The model is structurally a subscription/community flywheel tied to statewide utility membership rather than a venture-style growth business. Note: the firmographics header in the input labels the company as "South County Regional Wastewater Authority," but all substantive source data describes SCRWA; this analysis reflects the source material as provided.

Name

South County Regional Wastewater Authority

Legal name

South Carolina Rural Water Association

Website

https://scrwa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Carolina Rural Water Association is a 501(c)(3) trade association established in 1977 that provides training, technical assistance, legislative advocacy, emergency mutual aid, and shared services to public and private water and wastewater utilities across South Carolina.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Wastewater Utility Association Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAHABAB

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

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Regulatory Compliance & Auditing (Air, Water, Waste)

SECONDARYBPAIACAG

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Wastewater treatment services
• Water utility association
• Utility training programs
• Regulatory compliance support
• Emergency response network

Headquarters

HQ city

Gilroy

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SCRWA operates as a membership-based trade association with system members (water and wastewater utilities) and associate members (vendors). Membership provides access to training, technical assistance, advocacy, publications, and member benefits including the Job Board, Rate Study, Salary Survey, and publications.
2. Training and Education Programs: The association provides training programs including CDL training, Governance & Management Academy, continuing education, licensing prep, and online learning through SunCoast partnership. These programs serve water and wastewater operators across South Carolina.
3. Publications and Surveys: Annual Membership Directory, quarterly magazine 'Water is Life', semi-monthly e-newsletter 'Clear E-News', Rate Study reports, and Salary Survey reports are sold to members and non-members.
4. Survey/Study Sales: Rate Study results available for $100 for members and $150 for non-members. Salary Survey results sold for $100 members and $150 non-members. Non-participating systems can purchase copies for $100 (Members) and $150 (Non-Members).
5. Digital Advertising and Sponsorships: SCRWA offers digital advertising and sponsorship opportunities to reach member systems and event attendees. Association Partner provides advertising opportunities in newsletters, magazines, and at events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SCRWA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) trade association that delivers member-based services to public and private water and wastewater utilities across South Carolina. Its core offerings include technical assistance, training and certification programs, workforce development, emergency preparedness coordination, legislative advocacy, publications, surveys, digital advertising, and facilitation of below-market USDA Rural Water loans. The organization does not directly treat wastewater itself; it serves as an association intermediary providing operational support, compliance help, and member benefits to utility operators statewide.

Product overview

The source data provided does not contain information about South County Regional Wastewater Authority. The source material exclusively covers South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA), which is a separate 501(c)(3) trade association established in 1977 that assists public and private water and wastewater systems in South Carolina. No product or service information is available for South County Regional Wastewater Authority from the provided sources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 million South Carolina residents served by SCRWA member systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• National Rural Water Association (NRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1977SCRWA is an affiliate of NRWA, established in 1977. This affiliation provides access to national resources, collective buying power (31,000 utility members), training materials, and advocacy support at the federal level. NRWA enables fleet discount programs through Ford and Chrysler for member utilities.
• 120WatercoreTechnology or Integration120Water partnership provides software, sampling kits, and services for water safety, compliance, and wastewater monitoring programs. Preferred pricing on services and solutions for SCRWA members. Solutions include LCRI Compliance, Service Line Verification, School/Daycare Sampling, and Multi-System Management.
• GallaghercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGallagher provides Property and Casualty Insurance services using their CORE360 approach, which analyzes six total drivers of risk including premiums, program structure, coverage gaps, uninsured losses, loss prevention, and contractual liability. Dedicated South Carolina Public Entity Team serves water and sewer clients.
• Cyber SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationCyber Solutions provides IT services including Managed IT, cybersecurity, ransomware protection, risk analysis, compliance management, and VOIP phone systems. Voted in Top 50 Managed Service Providers globally. Serves both as main IT provider and supports in-house IT staff. Specializes in water industry with discounted rates through SCRWA.
• SCWARN (SC Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCWARN is a mutual aid network of utilities helping other utilities prepare for and respond to emergencies. SCRWA is one of 5 agencies that create SCWARN. Services include immediate assistance during emergencies before Federal help arrives, with no cost to participate and pre-established liability and workers compensation provisions.
• SunCoast Online LearningsupportingTechnology or IntegrationSunCoast Online Learning provides 24/7 online education and training for SC water and wastewater operators. Self-paced courses with industry-approved content, quiz-based advancement, and 12-month enrollment period. Course credit offerings approved by industry professionals.
• Ford Motor Company and Chrysler GroupsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough NRWA partnership, Ford and Chrysler offer special fleet discounts to SCRWA's utility members. Combines buying power of 31,000 utility members for reduced pricing on fuel-efficient vehicles including cars, vans, SUVs, and trucks.
• RuralWaterImpact.com and MunicipalImpact.comsupportingTechnology or IntegrationWebsite development partners offering easy-to-use website platforms for towns and municipalities. Services include mobile-friendly design, bill payment integration, text alerts, and unlimited support. Websites launched in 3 days or less.
• NexbillpaysupportingTechnology or IntegrationNexbillpay provides online payment services and notification platforms for utilities. Offers branded customer portals with account management, payment history, auto-pay options, and SMS notifications. Helps utilities reduce delinquencies and increase collections.
• SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCDES is the state regulatory agency for water and wastewater. SCRWA coordinates with SCDES on compliance requirements, sanitary surveys, regulatory updates, and watershed protection programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• American Water Works Association (AWWA): Nationwide water-utility membership and standards body. Overlaps with SCRWA on training, certification, and technical resources but addresses the entire water sector rather than focusing on rural/Small-SC systems.
• Water Environment Federation (WEF): Larger national professional association focused on wastewater treatment, operator certification, and technical content. Provides overlapping training and member benefits that compete for SCRWA members' attention and dues.

Direct peers

• Florida Rural Water Association: Sister state association under NRWA serving Florida utilities. Closely comparable model: training, circuit riders, mutual aid, certification prep, and lobbying for small-to-mid water/wastewater systems.
• National Rural Water Association (NRWA): National umbrella affiliate under which SCRWA operates. Provides the same trade-association services to state affiliates, shares the rural-water membership model, and delivers the 31,000-utility buying power SCRWA leverages.
• Kentucky Rural Water Association: NRWA-affiliated state association running an equivalent training, compliance-support, and member-benefit model for Kentucky utilities; useful comp for staffing and dues-pricing benchmarks.
• Georgia Rural Water Association: Adjacent southeastern state association under NRWA with the same member-services stack (training, technical assistance, mutual aid, legislative advocacy) for rural Georgia water and wastewater systems.
• Alabama Rural Water Association: Sister state association serving Alabama systems with the same training, technical-assistance, and advocacy model; comparable in scale and program mix to SCRWA.
• North Carolina Rural Water Association: Immediate regional neighbor under NRWA offering the same multi-stream service portfolio (membership, training, publications, conferences, mutual aid) to NC utilities. Useful as a near-twin regional comparison.
• Texas Rural Water Association: State-level rural water and wastewater trade association serving Texas utilities. Operates the same training, advocacy, mutual-aid, and member-services model across a much larger state, offering a directly comparable scale benchmark.

Emerging players

• National Association of Water Companies (NAWC): National trade association for private and investor-owned water utilities. Partially overlaps with SCRWA's mission of advocacy and training for water systems, but is skewed toward investor-owned rather than public/municipal utilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sc-rural-water-association

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 South County Regional Wastewater Authority