Building the Future: Water Infrastructure Careers

Water infrastructure careers offer a competitive wage and great benefits that could help sustain any family structure. They also offer high levels of personal satisfaction, but the problem is that these careers might be the best-kept secret. As jobs in different fields, such as the tech industry, attract many, most people look past the careers you can begin with a high school diploma. They might require you to get your hands a little dirty but can save you thousands in college tuition. Workers entering these careers are also highly in demand.

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week and the One Water Campaign will kick off on June 3. These initiatives celebrate the interconnectedness of our water system. As we reflect on the importance of our water resources, it’s imperative for us to remember the people who work each day to keep our water fresh and flowing. Cities and communities across the country are facing critical staffing shortages for the operation and maintenance of essential water infrastructure. Preparing future generations to be good stewards of our water resources is critical for maintaining our water systems and ensuring safe water for years to come.

The Aging Water Workforce Creates Opportunities

Water Workforce- Endless Possibilities

According to the American Public Works Association (APWA), as of May 2021, the Water and Waste Industry employs 3,420 treatment plant and system operators, but 45% of workers are ages 35-54. Many water sector employees have worked these jobs for over 30 years and are now ready for retirement. A shortage of workers will occur by 2028 if we don’t address the impending water sector employee retirements. Creating a pipeline to these great careers can mitigate the panic of not being able to fill these positions in the future.

Education about these careers, and how necessary they are to the quality of life in our communities, can start young. In fact, starting with elementary-aged students is a strategic way to create interest in these careers. By the time these students finish high school, some may be ready to pursue a career alternative to college that can start at $45K right out of high school.

Higher Learning to Support Higher Earning

Another component to building a pipeline to water infrastructure careers is at the community college level. Higher learning institutions, such as Bay College located in Escanaba, Michigan, have been producing water sector employees for over 50 years! The college offers certificate and degree programs in Water Resource Management, and it is designed to provide specialized training in water and wastewater treatment theory and application to both entry-level personnel and those already in the field. Their program is a gold standard when it comes to college programs dedicated to the water industry.

Colleges in Southeast Michigan are now considering the adoption of the Bay College program or creating their own curricula to launch students into water infrastructure careers.

How Working in Water Makes a Difference

Water Workforce- Helping the Community

There are a variety of opportunities for individuals passionate about addressing water challenges and creating a sustainable future. Whether you choose to become a water resource engineer, environmental scientist, water treatment plant operator, or hydrologist, each role contributes to ensuring the availability and quality of water resources.

As we face increasing threats from water scarcity, pollution, and climate change, these careers become more important than ever in protecting our most precious resource. So, if you’re interested in making a positive impact on the future of water infrastructure, start a water career and become part of maintaining a sustainable and reliable water resource. This industry definitely needs you. As experienced professionals leave the industry due to retirement, new talent is needed to fill their positions.

Fewer people are choosing water-related careers, leading to a potential shortage of skilled workers. Younger generations might lack awareness, have different career interests, or seek employment in higher-paying jobs and/or popular fields like technology. Perhaps surprisingly, advancements in tech have created another challenge in the water workforce.

New Tech Requires New Workers

The water industry is evolving with technological advancements, such as automation and data analytics. While these technologies can enhance water quality, they also require workers with technical skill sets. The shortage of workers with relevant technological knowledge can lead to challenges in finding workers.

A shortage of skilled workers can create operational challenges. For example, water infrastructure repairs may become more frequent. This can lead to increased downtime and service interruptions. Infrastructure improvement projects, such as building new treatment plants or upgrading current systems, may face delays due to a limited workforce. Deferred infrastructure improvements delay the progress aimed at ensuring water quality and availability.

What Happens Without More Water Workers?

Existing water workers may experience increased workloads and stress as they try to compensate for the shortage. This disruption can affect their job satisfaction and overall performance. In extreme cases, a worker shortage can impact the delivery of safe and clean water to communities. It could lead to disastrous effects like maintenance issues, reduced water quality monitoring, and extended response times to emergencies.

It’s going to take a collective effort to build a pipeline to these careers. Efforts are being made by various organizations, educational institutions, and industry leaders to address the potential water worker shortage. These initiatives focus on promoting water-related careers, providing training and educational opportunities, and raising awareness about the importance of the water industry.

It is important to ensure Southeast Michigan can create a future workforce by highlighting the benefits, opportunities, and impact of careers in water infrastructure. A first step is to identify career pathways, from entry-level to management and professional careers, and ensure we shine a light on these pathways. SEMCOG’s Water Infrastructure Planning Guide has several resources for those looking to begin their water career, as well as organizations interested in growing their water workforce. Water workers enjoy good, stable jobs with great benefits. They get great training, a challenging job environment, and the satisfaction that comes with knowing they are providing a direct community benefit. The career legacy of water workers is to ensure the quality of life in the present and for generations to come.