EPA Invests $20 Million in Water Workforce Training and Development

In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) committed to providing more than $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations under its Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program, which supports expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector.

“In every community in America, water and wastewater utility workers are unsung heroes ensuring that families and businesses have access to reliable, clean and safe water services,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Bruno Pigott. “As the water sector faces a wave of retirements, EPA is prioritizing the sustainability of the water workforce and the resilience of our water systems and communities with this $20 million program.”

EPA’s Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program complements the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government strategy to create good-paying, family-supporting jobs in the communities they serve. The grant program also develops the apprenticeship programs, labor standards, and other tools needed to ensure a strong pipeline of workers and high-quality jobs. 

EPA is selecting 13 recipients at regional and national organizations to implement a broad range of programs under the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program:

• Multiplier/WaterNow Alliance (CA): $760,463.31
• American Water Works Association (CO): $1,000,000
• Rural Community Assistance Partnership (DC): $852,500
• The Water Tower Institute, Inc (GA): $1,942,378
• Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (HI): $1,000,000
• Wichita State University (KS): $414,250
• Baltimore City Department of Public Works (MD): $914,500
• Center for Watershed Protection, Inc. (MD): $999,520
• Grand Rapids Community College (MI): $1,000,000
• Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (NV): $999,153
• University of New Mexico (NM): $600,000
• National Rural Water Association (OK): $5,594,000
• Energy Innovation Center Institute, Inc. (PA): $4,900,000

The grants will expand public awareness about job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and will address the workforce needs of drinking water and wastewater utilities. Activities that will be funded under this competition include:

• Targeted internship, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and post-secondary bridge programs.
• Education programs designed for elementary, secondary and higher education students.
• Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to address water utility employment needs and coordinate candidate development.
• Integrated learning laboratories in secondary educational institutions.
• Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring or cross-training programs that ensure incumbent drinking water and wastewater utility workers are prepared for higher-level supervisory or management-level positions.

EPA said it plans to award the recipients a grant once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.