Labor

1. Closing The Workforce Skills Gap On Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning At Water Utilities 2/21/2025
   Although artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been under development and talked about for years, the practical implementation of these technologies came fast and furious. Now, with their rapid growth across all industries, many are feeling overwhelmed — especially water workers. This Q&A explores how and why utilities should embrace AI and ML.
2. Building Tomorrow's Wastewater Treatment Systems... And Workforce 1/17/2025

   Engineering Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit dedicated to fostering a more diverse and expansive engineering workforce, recently engaged thousands of students across the country in an interactive lab on wastewater treatment and related careers in partnership with Engineers Without Borders USA.

3. The Importance Of Youth Engagement In Water Conservation And Environmental Initiatives 10/22/2024
   In a recent episode of The Water Online Show, co-host Travis Kennedy and I had the pleasure of welcoming Moalie Jose, a dedicated board member of the Maryland Environmental Service and a talented engineer with Hazen and Sawyer. The conversation revolved around Moalie's impactful initiatives aimed at advancing water and environmental causes in the Baltimore community.
4. New Approaches To "Old" Water Issues 9/6/2024

   A look at the latest thinking on some longstanding but still very relevant concerns — replacing water pipelines and workers.

5. Pride And Joy: Water Leadership Defined 3/8/2021

   Despite overseeing our most precious resource, water professionals often go unnoticed, and hence unappreciated. To that end, it’s my pleasure to highlight the efforts, accomplishments, and insights of industry leaders such as Joy Eldredge, chair of the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association.

6. Fresh Perspective For The Water Workforce 11/10/2020

   Nicole A. Blanco was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She learned early in life that she had a passion for engineering and science, which she eventually channeled into a career in water. Nicole was the first in her family to obtain a college degree, then proceeded to break down barriers in an industry sorely in need of — and yearning for — operational innovation and evolution. As you will surely find through the following Q&A, the water sector needs more like her, and we hope her story provides inspiration to both aspiring young professionals and future mentors.

7. Utilities Pass The Ultimate Test 5/12/2020

   The water and wastewater industry proved its resilient and essential nature in the face of a world crisis.

8. West World: Lessons In Future-Focused Utility Management 3/17/2020

   California always seems on the precipice, for better or worse. It can symbolize hope and prosperity — from the fortune seekers of the gold rush to today’s would-be Hollywood stars, it’s the place where a brighter future awaits (or, at least, where the sun always shines). Or, it can portend certain doom — a state on fire, both literally and figuratively, where (over)population and natural disasters eventually coalesce into catastrophe.

9. EPA Reveals The Key To Clean Water 11/1/2019

   Water and wastewater treatment plant operators may not always love regulators, but they should love what the U.S. EPA water chief had to say about them. Speaking at the “BusinessH20 Water Innovation Summit” in September, the EPA’s assistant administrator for water, Dave Ross, referred to those who clean our country’s drinking water and wastewater as “silent, everyday unsung heroes.” While not as celebrated as others who dedicate themselves to public service, such as police officers, firefighters, and teachers, they are every bit as essential — if not more so.

10. Lessons From DC Water's Rock Star, George Hawkins 1/31/2018

    In just eight years at DC Water, which provides drinking water, sewage collection, and sewage treatment in Washington, D.C., serving more than 600,000 residents, George Hawkins transformed the utility from insular and guarded to open and innovative.