EPA Announces Effort to Revitalize Water Workforce Initiative at Water Week Roundtable
EPA's Jess Kramer (center) at a roundtable with water sector leaders.
April 15, 2026
Contact Information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, at a roundtable with water sector leaders in Washington, D.C., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer kicked off an effort to refresh the agency’s Water Workforce Initiative. Originally launched in 2020, this initiative coordinates resources across government and industry to more effectively bolster water sector careers and to reach the next generation of water protection specialists.
“Clean and safe water keeps our families healthy and our economy strong, and water workers are essential to making that happen. They are the true heroes of their communities,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “EPA is committed to stepping up collaborative efforts that grow the water workforce through tangible actions that bring new talent into the water sector while investing in current workers to grow their abilities.”
The water sector, including drinking water and wastewater systems, is facing widespread shortages of qualified workers due to expected retirements. This comes at a time when new investments are needed to address the nation’s aging water infrastructure. Additionally, new technical and scientific skillsets are needed to operate and maintain modern systems, implement cybersecurity best practices, and address new challenges.
EPA is kicking off an effort to revitalize the 2020 Water Workforce Initiative. This effort will map out the agency’s efforts to work collaboratively with the water sector to support the nation’s water workforce. By connecting individuals to jobs in the drinking water and wastewater sectors, providing critical training, and expanding public awareness about the benefits of careers providing vital water services, EPA will help the water sector meet current and future needs while creating good-paying jobs. Developing apprenticeship programs, labor standards, education programs, and other resources will ensure a strong pipeline of workers and high-quality jobs.
“The National Rural Water Association commends the EPA for making the water workforce challenge a top priority. Small and rural drinking water and wastewater utilities not only create economic opportunities and promote public heath but play a critical role in our national security,” said NRWA CEO Matt Holmes. “NRWA is committed to working alongside EPA and the entire water sector to ensure an adequate pipeline of water operators for generations to come.”
“Water is the lifeblood of society and must be elevated in the national dialogue. That includes raising the profile of water careers as essential to our economy and addressing the structural risk in our water workforce over the next decade,” said Veolia Executive Vice President of North America Dave Ross. “Veolia is committed to growing and training that workforce and is actively working with several strategic partners to make that happen. We are thankful for EPA’s leadership and renewed focus on this critical issue and look forward to collaborating with the agency on its Water Workforce Initiative.”
“A strong water workforce is essential to protecting our waterways and public health. But in recent years, many clean water agencies have faced significant retirement rates and are having trouble finding and retaining workers,” said National Association of Clean Water Agencies CEO Adam Krantz. “NACWA applauds U.S. EPA for its attention to elevating water workforce needs and helping ensure a pipeline of talent. Clean water workers play essential, meaningful roles, and can enjoy challenging, dynamic careers as utilities continue to evolve. NACWA is pleased to continue collaborating with U.S. EPA to support water workforce development.”
“Water is at the core of resilient communities with strong economic engines and a high quality of life, and to maintain essential water services, we are dependent on people who are dedicated to making a positive impact on their community,” said CEO of The Water Tower Melissa Meeker. “We applaud EPA’s commitment to supporting water utilities by investing in the next generation water workforce and are proud of our role in furthering this commitment.”
“As the current workforce in the water industry begins to age out, we must figure out how to recruit and maintain workers in an industry so vital to American,” said Lisa Fought with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership. “RCAP is excited to continue partnering with the EPA to provide meaningful learning and development opportunities for all sectors in the water workforce, ranging from operations to management and finance, and we appreciate EPA's commitment to this endeavor.”
One way EPA supports the water workforce is through the Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program. Since the program’s inception in 2018, this grant program has invested more than $13 million in the expansion of public awareness about job opportunities in the water sector. Funding availability for the next round of grants will come later this year.
Participants at a water workforce roundtable ask EPA’s Jess Kramer questions about workforce challenges.
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