The Impending Workforce Shortage in the Water Sector

There's a lot to think about when it comes to threats to our drinking water systems. Climate change, aging infrastructure, and cybersecurity are hot-button, current issues that we've all heard plenty about over the past few years. While these issues continue to threaten the safety and security of our drinking water, there is another issue on the horizon that we must not lose sight of. This is, of course, the impending workforce shortage in the water sector. We have highlighted some key takeaways from Bloomberg's December 2024 article "America’s Next Water Crisis? A Lack of Experienced Workers."

"Nationwide, many of the roughly 1.7 million people employed in the water sector have hit or are nearing retirement age. In total, between 30% and 50% of the workforce will retire in the next decade and there aren’t enough younger workers in the pipeline to replace them. A Brookings Institution analysis of 2021 data found that 88% of treatment plant operators were aged 45 or older, compared with 45% nationally."

The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) has been surveying water workers to get an idea of how widespread the shortage is and they're finding that succession planning hasn't been happening as much as it needs to be across the country, but specifically in rural areas. Many rural municipalities cannot afford to hire more than one water operator and sometimes one operator is responsible for the water systems of multiple small communities. This makes it difficult to hire an apprentice or operator-in-training since the budget may not always allow for that.

Another issue is that it's not just about finding workers who can pass the necessary certification exams and requirements, the sector needs workers who have real life work experience. It is urgent that the water sector starts to recruit now so the incoming workforce has the opportunity to get hands-on training and learn from their more experienced colleagues. There are some efforts underway to try and get younger workers interested in the water industry. "The National Rural Water Association, through its state affiliates, has launched an apprenticeship program. Veolia North America, formerly known as Suez, opened Veolia Academy, its in-house training program, to the public in 2023 to help water workers pass state certification exams."

It is important to promote this field of work to younger generations who may not know that water jobs even exist. Many who work in the water sector find that they end up in the industry incidentally, and hadn't necessarily known this was a career path until they stumbled upon it. Some great things to advertise about water jobs are:

• Competitive pay rates: The 25th annual Water and Wastewater Utilities Compensation Survey showed that from 2021 to 2022, large utilities’ salaries increased 1.7% and small utilities’ salaries increased 1.9%. Medium-sized utilities’ salaries showed the most significant increase at 8.7%.
• 53% of water workers have a H.S. Diploma: This means that many water jobs don't require much formal education in order to earn a living.
• Not a traditional desk job: The jobs that need to be filled include construction style work such as repairing water mains, working in water treatment facilities, and managing wastewater.

It is crucial to increase visibility of the industry if we want to stop the workforce shortage before it becomes a bigger problem. Water is "out of sight, out of mind,” said Shannan Walton, who runs workforce development for NRWA. “Even in disasters, the heroes are the linemen because you can see them climbing the poles and they're fixing everything for the communities. Water and wastewater is invisible."

Small Drinking Water Webinar Series 2024 Recap

EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Water (OW), in collaboration with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), host this free webinar series to communicate the latest information on solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. The series topics vary each month and are primarily designed for state, territory, and tribal staff responsible for drinking water regulations compliance and treatment technologies permitting. We have compiled the webinar recordings that were released in 2024 as part of this series below:

Tools, Training, and Technical Assistance to Increase Water System Resilience | January 2024

Presentation 1: Creating Resilient Water Utilities
Presentation 2: EPA's Water Network Tool for Resilience (WNTR)

Lead Service Line Inventory Guidance | February 2024

Presentation 1: EPA Lead Service Line Inventory Guidance
Presentation 2: Colorado Lead Service Line Inventory Guidance

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) | March 2024

Presentation 1: Establishing an Algal Toxin Rule and Regulatory Program in Rhode Island, an Informal Case Study
Presentation 2: Insights on HABs Dynamics in Urban Lakes and Introduction to Benthic Sample Preparation

PFAS Drinking Water Regulation and Treatment Methods | April 2024

Presentation 1: Overview of EPA’s Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
Presentation 2: Removal of PFAS Compounds from Drinking Water: Fundamentals and Applications

Technical Assistance for Lead | May 2024

Presentation 1: Lead Service Line Identification, Replacement Planning, Community Engagement, and Funding Technical Assistance Programs
Presentation 2: Service Line Inventory Technical Assistance for Small Community and Non-Community Water Systems in Wisconsin

Inorganics Treatment: Arsenic and Nitrate | June 2024

Presentation 1: Biological Nitrate Treatment: Innovations and Challenges
Presentation 2: Arsenic Refresher
Presentation 3: An Arsenic Case Study in California: Oasis Mobile Home Park

Drinking Water System Resilience | July 2024

Presentation 1: America's Water Infrastructure Act Section 2013
Presentation 2: Water Laboratory Alliance’s Resources to Improve Contamination Incident Resilience

Planning and Consolidation, Partnerships, and Regionalization | August 2024

Presentation 1: Mapping the Nations Community Water Systems: Linking Drinking Water Data to Consumers
Presentation 2: Drinking Water consolidations and Partnerships in California: Evolving Solutions to Achieve the Human Right to Water

PFAS: National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, Occurrence, Analytics, and Risk Communications | September 2024

Presentation 1: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation: Initial Monitoring Requirements and EPA-State Implementation Workgroup
Presentation 2: EPA Drinking Water PFAS Analytical Methods and the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
Presentation 3: Implementing a Proactive PFAS Program Using "Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities" Grant Funding
Presentation 4: Broad-Spectrum PFAS Study to Characterize the Class of PFAS in California
Presentation 5: Communicating Risks and Engaging Communities on PFAS

PFAS: Rule Implementation and Treatment | October 2024

Presentation 1: PFAS Treatment Requirements in New Jersey
Presentation 2: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Implementation in Kentucky
Presentation 3: Decision Trees for PFAS Mitigation Selection: What to Do After PFAS Exceedances Detection
Presentation 4: PFAS Breakthrough and NOM Effects from Pilot-Scale AEX Columns
Presentation 5: EPA’s Open-Source Treatment Performance Modeling Tools for PFAS Treatment

Lead Reduction Updates and Lead Service Line Identification (LSLID) and Replacement | December 2024

Presentation 1: EPA Lead Reduction in Drinking Water Updates
Presentation 2: Technical Assistance Projects on LSLID
Presentation 3: New and Emerging Technologies for LSLID
Presentation 4: Predictive Modeling for LSLID Using Machine Learning Tools
Presentation 5: Water Sampling for LSLID

The Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series is scheduled to continue in 2025. Some of the subjects that are likely to be featured this year include lead chemistry, emergency response, disinfection byproducts, and many other topics.

WaterOperator.org 2024 Webinar Roundup

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. In these webinar recordings, viewers will learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find resources and training events. Each webinar features some of the most helpful resources on the title topic that can be found in our documents database. Certificates of attendance are not available for watching these recordings. 

Cybersecurity for Wastewater Operators | February 2024

Source Water Protection for Communities with Decentralized Wastewater | May 2024

Funding Wastewater Infrastructure Projects | July 2024

Wastewater System Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Resources | August 2024

Wastewater System Sustainability Practices | November 2024

Although we can't offer attendance certificates for watching these recordings, we do offer certificates of attendance to live attendees upon request! Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on future live webinars from WaterOperator.org.

RCAP's Drop of Knowledge: Article Roundup #6

Drop of Knowledge is a monthly digital article from Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP.) The articles focus on topics like wastewater, drinking water, policy, and infrastructure in rural America. It contains how-to’s, tips, and guidance from more than 300 technical assistance providers (TAPs) across the country. Some featured articles are linked below:

• An Elementary Look at Water Pollution
• Colonias in Texas: Improving the Quality of Life One Flush At a Time
• Investigating Inflow & Infiltration
• Water and Wastewater Utility Asset Management: Vehicles
• Wastewater Maintenance: Drawdown Pump Test
• When the Going Gets Rural: Five Challenges Technical Assistance Providers Can’t Escape

Looking for something else? Find more articles and subscribe to A Drop of Knowledge.

The Impact of Winter Weather on Water Systems

With winter weather upon us, water systems face increased challenges. The combination of freezing temperatures, increased water demand, and potential infrastructure vulnerabilities can significantly impact the quality and reliability of drinking water. Understanding these challenges and how to mitigate them is crucial for ensuring safe and consistent water supply during the colder months.

Freezing Temperatures and Infrastructure

One of the primary concerns during winter is the risk of pipes freezing and bursting. When water inside pipes freezes, it expands, which can cause pipes to crack or burst. This not only leads to water loss but also poses a risk of contamination if the integrity of the water system is compromised. To prevent this, water utilities often implement measures such as:

• Insulating Pipes and Infrastructure: Ensure that pipes are properly insulated and that heating systems are in place to maintain a stable temperature in critical areas.
• Regular Maintenance: Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of water systems, including checking for leaks and ensuring that all equipment is in good working order.
• Heating Systems: Installing heating systems in critical areas to maintain a stable temperature.
• Communication with Customers: Encourage homeowners to be proactive about protecting their pipes from freezing in colder months.

Increased Water Demand

Winter weather can lead to increased water demand for various reasons, including the need for heating systems that use water, such as boilers and radiators. Additionally, people tend to use more water for hot showers and baths during colder months. This increased demand can strain the water supply system, making it essential for utilities to manage resources efficiently.

Contamination Risks

Snow and ice can carry pollutants, like salt for de-icing roads, that may enter the water supply through runoff. When snow melts, it can pick up contaminants from roads, agricultural fields, and other surfaces, which then flow into water sources. To address this, water treatment facilities must be equipped to handle higher levels of pollutants and ensure that the water is safe for consumption.

Mitigation Strategies

To ensure the reliability and safety of drinking water systems during winter, several strategies can be employed. Organizations should establish a comprehensive cold weather safety plan. This plan should outline precautions to take before, during, and after the onset of freezing temperatures. Key elements include: 

• Winterize water systems and ensure that exposed plumbing is properly drained. 
• Inspect building heating systems to keep areas with plumbing above 40°F. 
• Clear access to fire hydrants, sprinkler system rooms, and life safety equipment.
• Monitor and manage snow accumulation on roofs and around facilities to prevent damage and ensure safety.
• Review emergency evacuation procedures to ensure that snow, ice and cold weather conditions are adequately addressed.

Winter weather presents unique challenges for water systems, but with proactive preparation and effective management, these challenges can be mitigated. By understanding the risks and implementing appropriate strategies, we can ensure that our drinking water remains safe and reliable throughout the winter season.

Safeguarding Public Health from PFAS

In October 2021, the EPA unveiled its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, a comprehensive plan to tackle the pervasive issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” This roadmap outlines the EPA’s commitment to a "whole-of-agency approach", focusing on three central directives: research, restrict, and remediate. By investing in scientific research, the EPA aims to deepen our understanding of PFAS and their impacts on human health and the environment. The roadmap also emphasizes proactive measures to prevent PFAS from entering air, land, and water, and accelerating cleanup efforts to protect communities across the United States. 

EPA has made significant strides in addressing the issue of PFAS and their new progress report highlights key accomplishments under the national strategy to confront PFAS in communities across the country.

Here are the key highlights from the EPA’s recent progress report:

• First-ever nationwide standards: In 2024, the EPA introduced legally enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, aiming to reduce exposure for approximately 100 million people.
• Data collection: The EPA is conducting the largest nationwide effort to understand PFAS levels in drinking water, covering around 10,000 water systems.
• $10 billion investment: Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, significant funds are allocated to remove PFAS from water, with a focus on installing new infrastructure and treatment technologies.
• Polluter accountability: The EPA finalized a rule designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances, ensuring that polluters, not taxpayers, bear the cleanup costs.
• Regulatory actions: The EPA has taken steps to prevent inactive PFAS from reentering commerce and issued rules to ensure protective restrictions on PFAS manufacturing and processing.
• Measurement methods: The EPA developed methods for measuring PFAS in various environmental media and set water quality criteria to protect aquatic life.
• Focused enforcement: The EPA established a PFAS Enforcement Discretion and Settlement Policy to target significant contributors to PFAS contamination.

These initiatives demonstrate EPA's dedication to tackling PFAS pollution directly, utilizing scientific research, regulatory measures, and significant investments to safeguard public health and the environment. For more detailed information, you can read the full PFAS Strategic Roadmap on the EPA’s website. 

Wastewater System Sustainability Practices | Recorded on November 12, 2024

In this recording of our recent live webinar "Wastewater System Sustainability Practices" viewers will discover some of the most helpful resources for wastewater system sustainability practices and learn how to use our search tools at WaterOperator.org to find additional resources and training events.

This webinar series from WaterOperator.org covers topics relevant to wastewater operators, including funding, asset management, compliance, and water quality. Certificates of attendance will be delivered upon request to live attendees but are not available for watching this replay.

What is the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)?

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) is a resource for communities looking to improve water quality and infrastructure. Established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CWSRF provides low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality projects. The CWSRF operates as a federal-state partnership, offering financial assistance to communities for projects that protect and improve water quality. This includes decentralized wastewater treatment systems, energy efficiency improvements, water reuse projects, security measures at publicly owned treatment works, and more. It can be a long process to obtain these funds but if you aren't sure where to start, we have included some first steps below:

1. Identify Eligible Projects: The first step is to determine if your project is eligible for CWSRF funding. Eligible projects include wastewater treatment, stormwater management, water conservation, green infrastructure initiatives, and more.
2. Contact Your State CWSRF Program: Each state manages its own CWSRF program. Reach out to your state’s CWSRF office to get specific information on application procedures, deadlines, and requirements. They can provide guidance tailored to your project and location.
3. Prepare Your Application: Gather all necessary documentation and complete the application forms. This typically includes project plans, environmental reviews, and financial information. Your state CWSRF office can assist with this process to ensure your application is complete and accurate.

If you're looking to learn more about the CWSRF, the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN) offers an in-depth webinar series on their YouTube channel. This series is designed to help communities, water systems, and wastewater systems navigate the complexities of the CWSRF funding process. Each session covers essential topics such as project planning, working with engineers, setting project milestones, and financial management. You can watch the 12-video series on EFCN's YouTube channel.

Flushable Wipes: The Bane of the Wastewater Industry

In the video below, featured on Icon Water's YouTube channel, they test a "flushable" wet wipe to see how well it dissolves in water compared to toilet paper, wet wipes (not labeled flushable), and paper towels. All 4 products are spun for 30 minutes in water to display how well each of these products breaks down when you flush them. 

Flushable wipes have been the plague of the wastewater industry for years due to the problems they cause for systems. Not only can they clog pipes, damage equipment, and harm the environment, but they require increased maintenance for utilities. 

The most recent legislation regarding flushable wipes is the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act. This bill was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2024. This act "would require the Federal Trade Commission to create a uniform label for products that have and/or require a 'Do Not Flush' label" in order to reduce consumer confusion and help to protect wastewater systems. Additionally, Michigan recently passed a law in July 2024 that prohibits manufacturers from marketing wipes as “flushable.”

Further Reading...

• Oregon To Require Do Not Flush Labeling On Wipes | Nonwovens Industry
• These ‘flushable’ wipes shouldn’t be flushed, plumbers say | The Hill
• Hanford city warns residents against flushing non-flushable wipes | YourCentralValley.com
• WIPPES Act - Set To Create National Standard For Wipes Labeling | Nonwovens Industry
• New Michigan law bans ‘flushable’ label on most bathroom wipes | MLive

VirCon 2025 Announcement

Our partners at the RCAP network deliver in-person training nationwide, as do the hundreds of training providers we list on the WaterOperator.org calendar. But, we know it can be difficult to get away from the day-to-day of your job, assuming there is even funding for the travel expenses. 

The team at WaterOperator.org is excited to announce that free registration has opened for the 2025 Virtual Operator Conference.

Over three days (February 4-6, 2025) participants can earn up to 12 continuing education hours applicable to their drinking water operator license renewal. We are seeking approval in all relevant operator certification jurisdictions, with updates listed on the event registration page. This free, virtual training conference offers drinking water operators a chance to learn more about timely topics, improve fundamental skills, and get support for specific challenges while earning up to 12 hours of CEU credit. While there is no substitute for in-person training, this online event was created to specifically target operators of small and rural public water systems who may not have the means or ability to travel. Conference instructors are technical assistance providers from the RCAP network.

Topics for this free, online event include PFAS, Excel for compliance reporting, cybersecurity, chlorine meters, how to create a flushing program, and more. Each session is delivered by a technical assistance professional from the RCAP network. Register now to save your spot.