California Paves Way For Veterans To Become Treatment Operators
Among the many threats that drinking water and wastewater treatment operations deal with on a regular basis, perhaps none are as existential as “brain drain” — the loss of institutional knowledge that is occurring as the bulk of the industry’s workforce retires. One Water Environment Federation estimate, for example, found that 79 million Baby Boomers will soon be retiring, bringing a “looming crisis” to the water and wastewater treatment industry.
But new legislation in California may help combat the problem by tapping a uniquely qualified and hardworking demographic.
“State legislation co-sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority and the Otay Water District has been signed into law, making it possible for veterans to receive credit for their military education and experience when applying for civilian water and wastewater system operator certifications in California,” the Times of San Diego reported. “The Water Authority and the Otay Water District co-sponsored the bill to increase the number of military veterans entering the civilian water and wastewater industry at a time when Baby Boomers are retiring.”
San Diego’s water authority estimates that there are about 4,500 drinking water and wastewater jobs total in the region and that by 2024, more than 1,400 workers currently fulfilling those positions will retire. Throughout California, there are about 6,000 active certified wastewater treatment plant operators and 35,000 drinking water treatment and distribution operators. There are about 240,000 veterans in San Diego County, according to a co-author of the bill.
The new legislation may be driving enthusiasm because of its potential as a “win-win” that benefits both the treatment industry and those veterans who can apply their experience to the field.
“The career path of a water or wastewater operator is a great fit for veterans that want to continue serving the public with the skills developed during their time on active-duty,” according to WaterOperator.org, a resource for small system operators with funding from the U.S. EPA, among other organizations. “The profession requires mechanical, hands-on problem solving abilities and in turn offers job security, good pay, benefits, and professional development opportunities.”
While other states have similar programs meant to guide veterans through the civilian water system certification process, this bill marks a first for California. And its potential success may encourage other states to adopt similar programs.
“The new law helps our communities two ways — by lowering employment barriers for our veterans and sustaining our vital water and wastewater services for the next generation,” said Christy Guerin, secretary of the San Diego County Water Authority, according to the Times of San Diego. “This was a victory for San Diego and the whole state — a successful, bipartisan effort that will help maintain our economy and quality of life.”
To read more about how drinking water and wastewater treatment plants staff their operations, visit Water Online’s Labor Solutions Center.