Water-sector professionals are vital to protecting public health through the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants. They ensure that clean and safe water is consistently provided to the public. For this reason, the Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about predicted workforce losses to the industry through retirements. As stated in the Task Force on Workforce Sustainability Final Report (October 2008) published by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), “It’s projected that in the next 10 years, 37 percent of the water utility workers and 31 percent of wastewater utility workers will retire.” As a result, EPA, states and industry organizations are working to promote the water sector and ensure that there is a pool of qualified water professionals to meet current and future needs.
This section of the EPA website includes:
- A Selection of Training Programs for Water and Wastewater Operators, a compilation by EPA of fact sheets describing training programs, internships, and mentoring programs that help new operators enter the water sector, as well as enhance the skills and knowledge of experienced operators.
- Memorandum of Understanding between EPA and Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service
- EPA’s “Water You Waiting For?” recruitment video
- Work for Water Campaign
Go to the site [1]