The Association was originally named the National Water Supply Improvement Association (NWSIA) and was formed in 1972 to promote the improvement of national water supplies through desalting, reuse and other water sciences. In 1981, the name was changed to Water Supply Improvement Association (WSIA). In 1986 subsequent to a merger with the International Desalination and Environmental Association, WSIA became the North American affiliate of the International Desalination Association, under its original NWSIA name. In 1993, the name was changed to the American Desalting Association (ADA). Then in 2000, the name was changed to the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA).
