WaterJet Technology Association

What WaterJet Technology Association does

The WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA), founded in 1983 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a not-for-profit trade association serving the high-pressure waterjetting and industrial vacuum industries. The association develops and distributes industry-standard safety best practices, most notably the Orange Book (Industry Best Practices for High Pressure Waterjetting Equipment, first published 1985, Third Edition April 2026) and the Blue Book (Recommended Practices for Industrial Vacuum Equipment, first published 2007, Fourth Edition 2021). Since 1985, more than 70,000 copies of the Orange Book and 30,000 copies of the Blue Book have been distributed, alongside 300,000+ pocket-sized medical alert cards for emergency response use in waterjet and vacuum injuries. Membership comprises 133 corporate members spanning equipment manufacturers, industrial cleaning contractors, and asset owners (including Dow, DuPont, StoneAge, NLB, USA DeBusk, and MPW), supported by Individual ($110-$150/yr) and Student ($20-$40/yr) tiers.

WJTA generates revenue through five streams: annual membership dues, publication sales through an online store, biennial Conference & Expo registration and sponsorship (sponsorship packages up to $7,500 Platinum), the Jet News periodical advertising, and training and certification fees. The training division, built on a 2017 partnership with the Health and Safety Council (HASC), delivers computer-based Foundational Training ($35 members, $40 non-members) and instructor-led Field Verification, with credentials stored in a centralized, employer-transferable database. The association also distributes pocket-sized operator handbooks, publishes conference proceedings from 20+ biennial conferences since 1983, hosts webinars, runs an annual Golf Tournament scholarship fundraiser, and operates a member discount program with travel and shipping partners. Its 12-member Board of Directors is led by CEO Micheal Johnson (appointed November 2025), the association's first-ever chief executive, marking a transition from volunteer-led governance to professionalized management.

Name

WaterJet Technology Association

Legal name

WaterJet Technology Association

Website

https://wjta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) is a 1983-founded nonprofit trade association serving the high-pressure waterjetting and industrial vacuum industries, publishing the industry-standard Orange Book and Blue Book safety manuals and delivering training certification to 133 corporate members globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Training (EDAGANAI)

Keywords

• Industrial safety training
• Waterjet certification
• Trade association services
• Safety best practices
• Industrial cleaning standards

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from corporate and individual members. Corporate membership provides three individual memberships plus additional benefits. Individual and student memberships available at lower price points.
2. Publication Sales: Sales of safety manuals (Orange Book, Blue Book), pocket-sized handbooks, medical alert cards, safety videos, and other industry publications through the online store.
3. Event Registration: Revenue from WJTA Conference & Expo registrations, WJTA Golf Tournament entries, and sponsorship opportunities at these events.
4. Training and Certification: Fees for Foundational Training eLearning courses ($35 members, $40 non-members) and Field Verification training ($15 administrative fee plus trainer expenses). Train-the-trainer programs and certification fees.
5. Advertising: Advertising rates for Jet News periodical, the Corporate Member Directory, and conference materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WJTA is a not-for-profit trade association that develops and disseminates industry-standard safety best practices manuals (the Orange Book and Blue Book), delivers standardized training and certification programs for hydroblasters and vacuum operators, and operates the biennial WJTA Conference & Expo. Revenue is generated primarily through corporate and individual membership dues, training and certification fees, publication sales via an online store, event registrations, sponsorships, and advertising in the Jet News periodical.

Product overview

The WaterJet Technology Association (WJTA) is a not-for-profit trade association serving the waterjetting and industrial vacuum industries. The association operates as a platform-plus-services model offering industry-standard safety publications (the Orange Book and Blue Book), standardized training and certification programs, technical conference events, and member resources. Core products include the Industry Best Practices for the Use of High Pressure Waterjetting Equipment (Orange Book) now in its Third Edition (2026) and the Recommended Practices for the Use of Industrial Vacuum Equipment (Blue Book) in its Fourth Edition (2021). The training and certification division, delivered in partnership with the Health and Safety Council (HASC), provides computer-based Foundational Training and instructor-led Field Verification for hydroblasters and vacuum operators. Additional offerings include medical alert cards, the Jet News periodical, conference proceedings, webinar recordings, scholarship programs, and an annual Conference & Expo event. The association maintains an online store for publications and a corporate directory for member visibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IMCA: Industrial & Municipal Cleaning Association - a special interest group/division of WJTA for members involved in industrial and municipal cleaning

Products and services

• Industry Best Practices for the Use of High Pressure Waterjetting Equipment (Orange Book) The primary reference manual for waterjetting safety and operations in North America. Covers recommended practices for manual and automated high pressure waterjetting equipment. Frequently referenced by contractors, asset owners, regulators, and equipment manufacturers.
• Recommended Practices for the Use of Industrial Vacuum Equipment (Blue Book) Safety manual covering recommended practices for industrial vacuum equipment operations. Developed in response to the combination of high-volume air-moving with waterjetting in industrial cleaning.
• Hydroblaster Foundational Training (19HBFT) Computer-based eLearning module providing overview of recommended safety practices in high pressure industrial cleaning. Three-hour course with 80% quiz requirement, credentials valid for 3 years. Priced at $35 for HASC members and $40 for non-members.
• Hydroblaster Field Verification (19HBFV) Instructor-led hands-on training and skills verification led by WJTA-approved Verified Trainers. Covers system setup, pre-job inspection, manual and automated high pressure cleaning operations. Typically 1.5 days.
• Vacuum Operator Foundational Training (19VACFT) 2.5-hour eLearning module covering recommended safety practices in industrial vacuuming operations. Covers air mover, liquid vacuum, sewer cleaner combo unit, and hydro/pneumatic excavator practices.
• Hydroblasting Basics for Permit Writers (19WJTAPW)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70,000 Orange Book safety manuals distributed globally since 1985
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PartnerShipcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 March 2026Endorsed shipping provider offering WJTA members exclusive discounts: 50% off FedEx expedited shipments, 30% off standard FedEx, competitive LTL and truckload freight rates, and parcel rates averaging 20% savings.
• Engine (HotelEngine, Inc.)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 March 2026Partnership provides WJTA members exclusive discounts on hotels, flights, and car rentals. Two customized landing pages: corporate-focused for business management with DirectBill and reporting, and member perk-oriented for broader use. WJTA receives revenue share starting at 2% on platform bookings.
• Industry Business Roundtable (IBR) - Industrial Cleaning CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IBR Industrial Cleaning Committee (ICC) collaboration with WJTA. ICC meets quarterly to address industrial cleaning industry issues, safety, and best practices. ICC meets at Health and Safety Council facility in Pasadena, Texas.
• Global Industrial Cleaning Coalition (GICC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2019WJTA is a founding member of GICC formed to collaborate with other waterjetting safety associations worldwide, educate on waterjet cleaning technology and automation, and support development of best practices guidelines in emerging markets.
• Houston Business Roundtable (HBR) Industrial Cleaning CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019HBR issued official endorsement of WJTA Orange Book as industry best practice in 2020, advocating for automated applications and craft competency certification. Collaboration on Industrial Cleaning Committee activities.
• East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA)/PetrochemWorkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019EHCMA/PetrochemWorks issued best practice endorsement of WJTA Orange Book in 2019, recommending operator certification and automation applications for high pressure water cleaning in petrochemical facilities.
• Health and Safety Council (HASC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Strategic partnership to deliver WJTA training and certification programs. HASC provides eLearning platform, testing infrastructure, and Live Online Proctoring for Foundational Training courses. WJTA curriculum developed in alignment with HASC standards.
• Association of Reciprocal Safety Councils (ARSC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017ARSC sites deliver WJTA Foundational Training courses for hydroblaster and vacuum operator certification at reciprocal safety council locations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WJTAIMCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/wjtaimca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wjta-imca
• Instagraminstagram.com/waterjettechnologyassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 WaterJet Technology Association