EPA Announces Availability of $20 Million in Grants to Create Water Career Opportunities

  • by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Sep 25, 2023
  • Water News

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of over $20 million in grant funding to support training for workers who protect and treat our nation’s drinking water and provide critical wastewater services. Through the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program, EPA will support training and career opportunities in the water sector. With the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investment in water infrastructure, growing and sustaining the water sector workforce is more important than ever for ensuring clean and safe water for generations to come.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to Investing in America, and that means investing in the workers that build and operate our nation’s water systems,” said EPA Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Our Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program supports local programs that help people get the training they need to enter the water workforce or the necessary upskilling to advance in their careers.”

Frontline workers at water and wastewater treatment utilities across the country are central to public health, environmental, and economic well-being in all communities, big and small. The water industry is facing wide-spread shortages of qualified workers due to expected retirements, needed investments in the nation’s infrastructure, and new technical and scientific skill sets required to operate and maintain these systems. Current estimates indicate that as many as one third of water workers will be eligible to retire within the next 5-10 years.

The focus of the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program is to build a strong pool of skilled and diverse workers in the water and wastewater utilities sector. This grant program supports collaboration among federal, state, and local governments and institutions of higher education, apprentice programs, labor organizations, high schools, and other community-based organizations to provide access to workforce opportunities and build career pipelines in the water sector. There are six program areas:

  • Targeted internships apprenticeships for skilled water utility trades.
  • Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students.
  • Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to hiring qualified candidates.
  • Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or cross-training programs that support career advancement.
  • Education and training programs designed for decentralized (septic) water workers to support public health for communities that rely on private wells for drinking water or septic systems.
  • Training and development for workforce development programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants to benefit disadvantaged communities.

Applications must be received by EPA by November 17, 2023.

Learn more about the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program.

Background

The Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant was established through the America’s Water Infrastructure Act, passed by Congress in 2018. Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement under Project Areas one through five are nonprofit professional or service organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges, institutions of higher education, other nonprofit training and educational institutions, and public works departments. Under Project Area six eligible applicants are community-based organizations (CBOs) and CBOs who partner with an Indian tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education.

Questions about applying for EPA funding for the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development cooperative agreement must be received by October 17, 2023. Questions can be submitted by emailing waterworkforceRFA@epa.gov. Applications must be received by EPA by November 17, 2023. EPA encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.

Learn more about the recipients from the last round of funding and EPA’s activities on building the water workforce.

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Comment Letter: Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of Nonpotable Water Regulation

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comments — Proposed Onsite Treatment and Reuse of […]

ACWA 2025 Spring Conference Committee Meeting Resources

Resources for ACWA Committee Meetings held during ACWA’s 2025 Spring Conference & Expo are available below.  UPCOMING ACWA EVENTS FLYER […]

Comment Letter: Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation/AB 1594 Amendments

To: Ms. Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board Subject: Comment Letter: Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation/AB 1594 Amendments Letter Excerpt:  […]

Priority Issues Bulletin

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Joint Comment Letter: Need for Extension of BioMAT Program

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom Subject: Need for Extension of BioMAT Program Letter Excerpt: We are writing on behalf of […]

Vacant Positions Sweep – Oppose Elimination of Fee-Based Positions

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom, The Honorable Mike McGuire, The Honorable Robert Rivas, The Honorable Scott Wiener, The Honorable Jesse […]

Comment Letter: Revised WOTUS definition

To: Stacey Jensen, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Milton Boyd, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Subject: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and […]

ACWA Comment Letter Regarding Water Measurement and Reporting Revisions

To: Courtney Tyler, Clerk to the Board, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: ACWA Comment Letter regarding Water Measurement and […]

2025 Water Awareness Month Toolkit

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

April 2025 Public Health Goals Report Guidance

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Comment Letter: Post-Wildfire Water Quality Guidance

To: Darrin Polhemus, Deputy Director, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Post-Wildfire Water Quality Guidance to be […]

Regulatory Roundup

The following document is released each month and includes policy updates from ACWA’s Regulatory Department. Click on the below link […]

Outreach Handbook

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

2024 Year in Review

ACWA’s “2024 Year in Review” outlines ACWA’s advocacy wins, awards and services provided to members, as well as events and […]

2025 Key Federal Water Issues

The 2025 Key Federal Water Issues document includes information on water supply, water quality, agriculture and climate variability and resiliency. […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
4 years in a row: Customers rank IRWD No. 1

For the fourth straight year, global data analytics company J.D. Power has awarded Irvine Ranch Water District its top honor […]

WVWD Hosts First Earth Day Block Party with Demos and Family Fun

Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) celebrated Earth Day with its inaugural Earth Day Block Party on Thursday, April 24, bringing […]

Water & Fire Agencies Collaborate for Foothill Wildfire Resilience

Calaveras County Water District (CCWD), Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD), Twain Harte Community Services District (THCSD), Utica Water and Power Authority […]

WVWD Celebrates Earth Day with Next Generation of Water Stewards

Water District hosts educational field trip for over 200 CJUSD students RIALTO – In celebration of Earth Day, West Valley Water […]

TUD Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New White Fir Water Tank and Pump Station

Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) has announced the completion of the White Fir Water Tank and Pump Station in Twain Harte, […]

State Water Board to Hold Webinars on Urban Water Use Objective

The State Water Resources Control Board is holding a two-part webinar series to gather input on the Urban Water Use […]

PV Water’s First Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program Workshop a Success

AROMAS – The Pajaro River Watershed Resilience Program (PRWRP) led by PV Water and funded by the California Department of […]

California Water Leaders Gathering in Monterey for ACWA Spring Conference

SACRAMENTO — The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) 2025 Spring Conference & Expo May 14-15 will draw public water […]

Nation’s First Public Hydrogen Utility Welcomes Inaugural Member

LANCASTER – First Public Hydrogen (FPH2) is pleased to welcome Rowland Water District (RWD) as its first member, marking a […]

Ashlee Casey Named Executive Director of the Water Forum

SACRAMENTO–The Water Forum is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashlee Casey, PE, as its new Executive Director. The Water […]

Otay Water District’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest Deadline is Approaching

The Otay Water District’s deadline of May 9, 2025, is approaching for its annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest for residential customers. […]

May 2025 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The May 2025 Priority Issues Update is now available online to members. The update is a summary of the latest […]

Family Farm Alliance’s Keppen to Deliver Keynote

Dan Keppen, Executive Director of the Family Farm Alliance and a respected voice in Western agriculture and water, will deliver […]

ACWA Federal Advocacy Encouraging WOTUS Regulatory Continuity

WASHINGTON, D.C. — ACWA recently submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  and U.S. Army Corps of […]

Bureau and DWR Boost Allocations

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources and Bureau of Reclamation this week increased allocations from 40% to 50% for […]