Mothballed Water Plant Gets A Second Act

A defunct water treatment plant in Maine may get a second act as a training ground for future water plant employees, who are in increasing demand as skilled, aging workers retire.

"The mothballed $12 million water treatment plant the Greater Augusta Utility District built in 1992, only to shut down in 2004 because demand decreased and the district found cheaper ways to provide water, could be converted to a new use as an innovative hands-on water and wastewater treatment training center," Maine Today Media reported.

Officials said it would be the only center of its kind in the country, according to the report.

If the plant were not used for training, it might be shuttered, since upkeep is expensive. Ken Knight, chairman of the district’s board of trustees, explained the dilemma.

“It’s challenging for the trustees (of the Greater Augusta Utility District) to think about demolishing a $12 million building. We don’t want to do that,” he said, per the report. “Because it’s not being used, you can’t just keep maintaining it for nothing. This proposal seemed like a wonderful opportunity to not demolish the plant.”

The proposal could provide economic benefits for local entities.

"The district’s proposal to lease the property to the Maine Rural Water Association could provide revenue to the utility district and thus lessen the burden on ratepayers, while creating a use for an otherwise unused treatment plant. It would be a place to train and certify new workers in water and sewer treatment, industries with aging workforces and a lack of qualified workers to take their place when they retire," the report said.

So-called "brain drain" at water utilities, spawned by the retirement of the Baby Boomers, is a major challenge for the water industry.

"There is a looming crisis facing the water and wastewater industry. Over 79 million 'Baby Boomers' will be reaching retirement age in the next ten to fifteen years," according to a research paper published by the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

"This social phenomenon will cause vacancies in our staffing," the report said, and could lead to a loss in institutional knowledge at water utilities.

The EPA has raised concerns about this problem.

"Water sector professionals are vital to protecting public health through the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment plants. They ensure that clean and safe water is consistently provided to the public. For this reason, EPA is concerned about predicted workforce losses to the industry through retirements," the agency said.

The EPA said it is working with states and industry to ensure that "there is a pool of qualified water professionals to meet current and future needs."