LABOR RESOURCES FOR UTILITY MANAGERS

• The Augmented Operator: Navigating The Intersection Of AI And The Water Sector Workforce

  The water sector is facing a convergence of crises. On one side, an estimated 30–50% of the utility workforce is projected to retire within the next decade, taking with them irreplaceable institutional knowledge. On the other, AI is no longer future technology; it is being deployed today for operations. These two forces are colliding at precisely the moment utilities can least afford disruption.

• How Water Utilities Can Foster Change — And Prioritize People

  Water and wastewater utilities are under pressure. Aging infrastructure, rapid population growth, and a retiring workforce are just a few of the challenges they face. Where do utilities turn for solutions? While technology solutions and new tools take center stage, a critical piece is often overlooked: the people.

• The Skills Gap In Water Engineering: Why Technical Training Needs To Be A Priority

  There is a widening skills gap in water engineering, which could threaten innovation, service quality, and resilience unless it’s addressed quickly and strategically. At the heart of this challenge lies the need to advance technical training and continuous professional development and ensure that workforce planning is a top priority throughout the industry.
• Down And Dirty With Digital: How AI Enhances Water Infrastructure Fieldwork

  Fieldwork is at the heart of infrastructure expansion and rehabilitation, as utilities, engineers, and contractors collaborate to build the systems and structures that treat and move water. The opportunity is great, but so are the challenges. Which is why new, digitally-enhanced tools are needed.

• Making Unplanned Downtime A Myth: Why Water Utilities Should Move From Time-Based To Condition-Based Maintenance

  Many utilities still default to time-based maintenance, servicing equipment by the calendar or hours of operation of the equipment. It’s simple, but it often creates two expensive outcomes: over-maintenance and surprise failures. A smarter path is condition-based maintenance.
• Building Institutional Memory: Connecting Infrastructure Design And Operations

  As water utilities face unprecedented challenges driven by climate change and the need for adaptive planning, the traditional separation between capital design work and ongoing operational performance is rapidly becoming unsustainable. Thankfully, connected digital tools are breaking down these barriers.

• How AI Can Solve The "Silver Tsunami" And Support Small Water Utilities

  While far from prolific, applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the water and wastewater industry are nothing new. AI and machine learning have been used for data analytics for years. However, for small utilities and those with an aging workforce, these tools seem too high tech and costly to be practical. This doesn’t have to be the case, though. AI tools — particularly generative AI (Gen AI) and large language models (LLMs) — are able to address critical workforce shortages and resource constraints within the water and wastewater industry.
• Converging Challenges, Unified Solutions: How Three Overlapping Trends Are Shaping Public Water

  With the right help, coping with workforce upheaval, the digital transition, and asset management can be an opportunity.

• Designing Water Facilities For Resilience: Where Safety, Technology, And Training Intersect

  Resilience in water and wastewater facilities means protecting people, infrastructure, and communities through thoughtful design, evolving technology, and a workforce ready for anything. As demand grows and complexity increases, resilience must be baked into every corner of the system from how facilities are built to how they are operated and staffed.
• The Future Is Flowing: Cultivating The Next Generation Of Water Professionals

  The water sector faces a looming workforce crisis due to an aging demographic and increasing retirements, with about one-third of the workforce eligible to retire in the next decade. This article examines how major water utilities are proactively addressing labor challenges and analyzing strategies for cultivating the next generation of water professionals.