(October 7, 2020) – EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the Agency’s new Water Sector Workforce Initiative as part of WEFTEC this week, highlighting the important role the water workforce plays in the nation’s daily life and reinforcing the importance of continued training and investment in the workforce. 

The Initiative outlines actions that the public and private sector are committing to that will help recruit and retain the next generation of the water workforce through workforce planning, technology training, and collaboration across the federal government and the water sector. These actions will support workforce resiliency for water utilities and thereby help ensure that Americans can continue relying on safe drinking water and vital wastewater and stormwater services that protect public health and the environment.

NACWA worked closely with EPA and other partners in the water sector to help develop the Initiative and the planned deliverables, with the Association committing to a series of actions to help advance the Initiative.  NACWA’s CEO Adam Krantz was also quoted in EPA’s press release unveiling the document.   

NACWA looks forward to working collaborative with EPA and others in the sector to help implement the Initiative and provide important new resources to further develop and support the water sector workforce.  To learn more about NACWA efforts on workforce issues, please contact Nathan Gardner-Andrews, NACWA’s General Counsel & Chief Advocacy Officer.