High-tech tools revolutionize water-sector recruitment, training, and knowledge retention The water sector is facing an aging crisis. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) anticipates that, by 2035, 30%–50% of the current water workforce will be eligible for retirement, and utilities large and small are taking proactive steps to attract new employees as well as stem …
Challenge Accepted: The OC Forum is a new podcast from the Water Environment Federation’s Words on Water, dedicated to all things Operations Challenge. Hosted by Operations Challenge legends Steve Motley and Donnie Cagle, the show features conversations with the people who shape the competition – past, present, and future. Watch on Youtube. WEF’s Words on …
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The Operator Recruitment Toolkit is a practical, ready-to-use resource library for HR professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers in the water sector. It compiles outreach strategies, targeted messaging for diverse candidate groups, licensing and training guides, career pathway visuals, and customizable marketing materials. The toolkit provides utilities with the information and tools needed to understand operator …
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Small wastewater systems in rural and semi-rural areas face many of the same challenges as larger water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), yet their issues often are exacerbated by smaller budgets and remote locations. This can make problem-solving difficult for those who are simply trying to keep the water flowing. Read the full article in the …
Operator Essentials is a regular column in Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) magazine that covers “What Every Operator Needs to Know” about hot topics in the industry. Articles are peer reviewed by a Focus Group of experts prior to publication. Read Operator Essentials in the latest issue of WE&T or browse the archive of articles on AccessWater. Whether this is your …
The Water Environment Federation offers scholarships annually to individuals looking to enter or advance in the field of water/wastewater operations. The scholarship applications are open January 15-March 31, 2026. Find out more and apply at www.wef.org/OpScholarship.
Operations Challenge is the water sectors premier skills competition, which culminates every year at WEFTEC. WEFTEC 2025 saw a unprecedented Division I sweep by teams from the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association. Read the coverage of the 2025 WEFTEC competition in the December 2025 issue of Water Environment & Technology.
The water sector urgently needs more people. Listen to a conversation with Chief Development Officer, Erin Grenz, with AQUALIS, a nationwide premier provider of sustainable water engineering and management for stormwater, wastewater and water quality testing, on how the company is recruiting young professionals to the water sector. Listen to the Words on Water episode.
Looking to enter the water sector and not sure where to start? Take the new Find Your Water Career quiz on WorkforWater.org and be matched with career profiles that align with your skills and interest. Browse the various Career Profiles on the site to learn about the role and what education and training you may …
Applications are now open for the Hach Water Quality Equipment Grant, designed to support high school students in developing research projects for the USA Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition. This grant provides access to high-quality water testing equipment, empowering students to explore real-world environmental challenges through hands-on science. Last year, 20 students received equipment, and …