Florida Rural Water Assn

What Florida Rural Water Assn does

Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) is a nonprofit, non-regulatory professional association headquartered at 2970 Wellington Circle in Tallahassee, Florida, serving public water and wastewater systems throughout the state. Originally formed for the benefit of small water and wastewater systems, the organization now serves utilities of all sizes, including counties, municipalities, districts, mobile home parks, schools, and authorities. FRWA operates as the Florida state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association and maintains working relationships with FDEP, FEMA, EPA, and USDA.

FRWA's core offerings are organized around training, certification, technical assistance, and advocacy. The product portfolio includes FDEP-approved certification review courses (Water Distribution, B/C Wastewater), operator safety and engineered tank care training, the FlaWARN emergency mutual aid network, an apprenticeship program, asset management and risk/resilience vulnerability assessment programs, energy efficiency guidance, engineering sub-consultant referrals, groundwater and mapping services, the Water Writes publication, utility management certification, and signature events such as the Annual Conference, Focus on Change regional seminars, and the biennial Florida/Alabama Joint Conference. Service delivery combines in-person training at venues statewide, on-site technical assistance, and online courses delivered via Suncoast Learning. The underlying technology stack is a content-and-portal website (frwa.net) with the Member Compass member portal, a classifieds job board, and an eNews distribution system; no proprietary software platform, AI capability, or hardware product is described.

FRWA's business model is a multi-stream nonprofit model. Revenue sources include membership dues from utility members (the primary financial support), training and certification fees, classified advertising ($50 per ad for associate members, $75 for non-associate), digital homepage banner advertising sold through The Association Partner, and annual conference revenue (attendee registration, exhibitor booths, sponsorships, meal tickets). A seven-member Board of Directors is elected from the membership at the Annual Business Meeting, and the organization operates without external equity ownership.

Name

Florida Rural Water Assn

Legal name

Florida Rural Water Association

Website

https://frwa.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Florida Rural Water Association is a nonprofit professional association providing training, technical assistance, certification, advocacy, and emergency mutual aid coordination to public water and wastewater utilities throughout Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water and Wastewater Utility Training and Technical Assistance

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spill Prevention & Release Reporting Compliance (SPCC, FRP, CERCLA/EPCRA Notifications) (EUAHABAD)

Keywords

• Water utility training
• Wastewater certification
• Utility technical assistance
• Emergency mutual aid
• Nonprofit water association

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: FRWA is a nonprofit trade association whose primary financial support comes from membership dues paid by public water and wastewater systems (counties, municipalities, associations, districts, mobile home parks, schools, authorities). Active members consist of public water and wastewater systems throughout Florida.
2. Training and Certification Fees: Revenue generated from CEU-bearing training classes, certification exam prep courses, and professional development seminars held at venues statewide. Some classes are free to members; others carry registration fees. Certificates of completion are issued for educational eligibility toward state certification exams.
3. Classified Advertising: Associate Members pay $50 per classified ad link; non-associate ads are $75. Ads run for eight weeks. Additional classifieds for associate members in the news section.
4. Digital Advertising: FRWA sells homepage digital advertising spots on frwa.net through a partnership with The Association Partner. Associate members receive preferential pricing for these website banner slots.
5. Annual Conference Revenue: The Annual Conference generates revenue through attendee registration fees (e.g., $100 per attendee for the 2022 Florida/Alabama Joint Conference), exhibitor booth fees, sponsorships, and ancillary meal ticket sales ($30 each).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) is a statewide nonprofit professional association that delivers operator certification training, on-site technical assistance, asset management, engineering referral, energy efficiency, vulnerability assessments, groundwater services, and the FlaWARN emergency mutual aid network to public water and wastewater systems across Florida. Membership-based services are supplemented by signature events such as the Annual Conference, Focus on Change seminars, and the Florida/Alabama Joint Conference, along with publications such as Water Writes.

Product overview

The Florida Rural Water Association (FRWA) is a nonprofit, non-regulatory professional association serving water and wastewater systems throughout Florida. The organization operates as a platform of training and support services rather than a single unified product. Its core offerings include certification training programs (Water Distribution Certification, B/C Wastewater Certification Review, Utility Safety Essentials, Engineered Tank Care), emergency response coordination through the FlaWARN program, educational publications (Water Writes magazine), and signature events (Annual Conference, Focus on Change, Florida/Alabama Joint Conference). Supporting programs include an Apprenticeship Program, Asset Management Program, Risk and Resilience Vulnerability Assessment Program, Energy Efficiency Program, Engineering Services, Groundwater Services, Mapping Services, Online Training, and Utility Management Certification. These services collectively support water and wastewater system operators with every phase of operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Distribution Certification Training FDEP-approved seminar providing the educational requirements for State Water Distribution Operator Certification at Levels 1, 2, and 3; issues a Certificate of Completion accepted toward exam eligibility.
• B/C Wastewater Certification Review Training course preparing attendees for the FDEP B/C Wastewater Certification exam, also serving as a refresher for A-level exam candidates.
• Utility Safety Essentials Training Safety training covering working around chemicals, water and wastewater system leaks, and protection of systems from corrosion and failures.
• Engineered Tank Care Training Comprehensive training covering all aspects of water storage tanks, from different styles and inspections to corrosion protection.
• FlaWARN Emergency Response Program Florida Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network providing mutual aid coordination during emergency situations including hurricanes and pandemics.
• Water Writes Publication Official magazine of the Florida Rural Water Association providing industry news, technical articles, and association updates to members.
• Apprenticeship Program Structured training program for developing skilled water and wastewater system operators as part of FRWA's workforce development efforts.
• Annual Conference Annual signature event (2026 edition scheduled for Daytona Beach, July 27-29, 2026) offering networking, training, exhibitor showcase, and CEU opportunities for water and wastewater professionals.
• Focus on Change Seminar Series Annual seminar series presented in cooperation with FDEP, providing current regulatory information and CEUs for water and wastewater utilities.
• Florida/Alabama Joint Conference Biennial regional conference co-hosted with the Alabama Rural Water Association, featuring industry training and exhibitors.
• Asset Management Program Program helping water and wastewater systems manage and maintain infrastructure assets effectively.
• Risk and Resilience Vulnerability Assessment Program Program assisting utilities with assessing and improving resilience against various risks and threats.
• Energy Efficiency Program Program helping water and wastewater systems reduce energy consumption and costs.
• Engineering Services Technical engineering consultation and sub-consultant referral services for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Groundwater Services Source water and groundwater-related services including the TAPP program and pharmaceutical disposal information for utilities.
• Mapping Services Geographic mapping services for water and wastewater infrastructure assets.
• Online Training (via Suncoast Learning) Web-based training courses available through the Suncoast Learning platform for operator certification and continuing education.
• Utility Management Certification Certification program for utility managers covering operational and management competencies.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Rural Water Association (NRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRWA is the Florida state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association. This affiliation provides FRWA members with access to NRWA resources, national training frameworks, advocacy at the federal level, and cross-state collaboration. FRWA displays the NRWA logo prominently on its website.
• Alabama Rural Water AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRWA co-hosts the biennial Florida/Alabama Joint Conference with the Alabama Rural Water Association. This conference rotates between Florida and Alabama venues and includes exhibitors, training sessions, and networking. The 2022 conference was held at Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, FL.
• Pace Analytical Services LLCminorOthersSponsor/associate member of FRWA. Pace Analytical provides environmental laboratory services. Located at 8 East Towers Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. Primary contacts: Michael Valder, Becki Day, Heather Dennison.
• Lewis, Longman and WalkerminorOthersSponsor/associate member and attorney firm specializing in environmental and water law. Located at 106 East College Ave. Suite 1500, Tallahassee, FL 32301.
• Aclus Engineering LLCminorOthersSponsor/associate member engineering firm. Located at 1725 Windermeredown Pl, Windermere, FL 34786. Contact: Daniel Magro.
• Blue Planet Environmental Systems IncminorOthersSponsor/associate member environmental systems company. Located at 2600 Kingswood Dr NE, Palm Bay, FL 32906.
• Core & MainminorOthersSponsor/associate member and leading specialized distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products. Operating ~300 branches nationwide. Located in Orlando, FL. Contact: Steve Hansen (Sr Mgr SE Region).
• Sewer SentryminorOthersSponsor/associate member. Located at 3800 N Lamar Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX 78756.
• Sensible Municipal Water Systems, Inc.minorOthersSponsor/associate member providing drinking water consulting, lead service line inventory, and DBP expertise. Located at 712 S Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136. Owner: Julie Guimond.
• Empire Pipe & Supply (fka Municipal Water Works Inc)minorOthersSponsor/associate member distributor. Located at 2260 Old Lake Mary Road, Sanford, FL 32771. Contacts: Jim Mathis, Alex Mestre, James Mathis, Jon Kuehne, Robert Peterson, Wes Sumner.
• Duke's Root ControlminorOthersSponsor/associate member. Located at 400 Airport Rd. Ste E, Elgin, IL 60123. Contacts: Jami Tempera, Katelin Shropshier, Stephen Ellis.
• FlovacminorOthersSponsor/associate member and global designer/supplier/operator of municipal vacuum sewer systems. Located at 15 Utility Drive Suit A, Palm Coast, FL 32137. CEO: Michael Pringle.
• Southern Corrosion IncminorOthersSponsor/associate member corrosion control company. Located at 524 NC Highway 125, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. Contacts: Jim Skilton, John Tucker (FL Representative), Lynne Skilton.
• US Submergent TechnologiesminorOthersSponsor/associate member providing industrial wastewater cleaning services. Located at 2201 Cantu Court Suite 116, Sarasota, FL 34232-6260. Contacts: Denver Stutler, Jan Hesketh, Kim Schweiger, Linda Parker.
• US Water Services CorpminorOthersSponsor/associate member and contract utility operator. Located at 4939 Cross Bayou Boulevard, Port Richey, FL 34652. Multiple contacts listed including Christopher Saliba (VP), Hope Smith (Regional Manager), and many field operators.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRWA works closely with FDEP on operator certification, regulatory updates, and the Focus on Change seminar series. FDEP representatives participate in FRWA events and FRWA references the Florida DEP website for certification requirements (dep.state.fl.us).
• The Association PartnerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital advertising sales partner managing homepage banner advertising on frwa.net. Contact: Brian Donohoe ([email protected]). This arrangement allows FRWA to monetize website inventory while providing associate members with advertising options.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alabama Rural Water Association: FRWA's joint conference partner and a fellow NRWA state affiliate with a near-identical service model (membership dues, training, technical assistance) for Alabama water/wastewater utilities.
• National Rural Water Association: National umbrella organization of which FRWA is the Florida state affiliate. Directly comparable as a rural water utility membership association providing training, technical assistance, and advocacy.
• WaterISAC: Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center — already referenced in FRWA's resources as a member-facing cybersecurity and threat-information service for water utilities. Operates a similar utility-serving, association-adjacent model.
• Texas Rural Water Association: A larger NRWA state affiliate with an essentially identical operating model (membership dues, certification training, on-site technical assistance) for Texas rural water/wastewater systems.
• Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP): National nonprofit network providing technical assistance, training, and capacity building to small rural water and wastewater systems — closely paralleling FRWA's mission and customer base.
• Georgia Rural Water Association: Another NRWA state affiliate operating the same membership, training, and technical assistance model for Georgia water/wastewater utilities.

Broad incumbents

• Water Environment Federation (WEF): National nonprofit providing training, certification, and technical education for wastewater professionals. Comparable to FRWA on the wastewater training side, with a national membership footprint.
• US Water Alliance: National nonprofit advancing sustainable water policy and utility leadership, with overlapping themes of utility capacity-building, workforce development, and infrastructure investment relevant to FRWA's mission.
• American Water Works Association (AWWA): The largest national membership association for water professionals, offering training, certification, and standards. Overlaps with FRWA on operator training and certification but serves a much broader, national, and utility-of-all-sizes audience.
• National Association of Water Companies (NAWC): National trade association representing private and investor-owned water utilities, providing advocacy, training, and benchmarking services that overlap with FRWA's training and advocacy functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/florida-rural-water-assn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Florida Rural Water Assn