EPA Commits $10.8 Million in Grants and Revitalizes National Water Workforce Initiative
The EPA launched an open funding competition providing $10.8 million through the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program. The effort directly addresses acute operator shortages and succession planning across drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities.
On August 19, 2026, federal environmental regulators announced a $10.8 million competitive grant program designed to strengthen the talent pipeline for municipal water and wastewater utilities. The funding opportunity, authorized under Section 1459E of the Safe Drinking Water Act, supports operator apprenticeships, technical training centers, and school-to-work pipeline partnerships. The initiative follows a workforce roundtable hosted earlier in the month highlighting that roughly one-third of the nation's certified water and wastewater utility workforce is currently nearing retirement age. Treatment facilities are facing compounded staffing constraints due to an influx of advanced filtration processes, nutrient removal requirements, and cybersecurity responsibilities requiring specialized skills. The grant initiative will fund projects across four key focus areas, including high school vocational integration, operator license preparation programs, and interstate certification reciprocity frameworks to facilitate workforce mobility across state boundaries.
Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Resources Updated
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has updated its resources for wastewater treatment operator certification. The agency also announced new grant funding opportunities for watershed-based planning.
Source: NDEP
EPA Launches Water Sector Resilience and Emergency Preparedness Training Ahead of SDWA Compliance Deadlines
In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, the EPA initiated nationwide training modules to help drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities satisfy emergency response mandates. The initiative provides utilities with operational tools to meet Safe Drinking Water Act compliance and cybersecurity resilience targets.
Source: US EPA
EPA Launches New Resilience Training for Water Utilities
In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, the EPA initiated a nationwide training program to assist water and wastewater facilities in meeting emergency response mandates. The training provides operators and managers with essential skills for hazard mitigation, cybersecurity, and operational continuity.
Source: Inside Wastewater
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