EPA has opened applications for $10.8 million in grants to provide access to workforce opportunities and build career pipelines in the water sector.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened $10.8 million in grant funding to support training for workers in the water sector. These essential workers play a key role in treating our nation’s drinking water and providing wastewater services that protect human health and the environment.
Enhancing recruitment and training for the water sector workforce is more important than ever in light of anticipated retirements, aging water infrastructure, evolving technologies used in the sector, and emerging risks like cyberattacks. This grant builds on the agency’s recent roundtable discussing how to help recruit and retain individuals into meaningful careers in water and to identify opportunities where EPA can help reduce barriers and improve interstate coordination.
Nationally, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems are facing a shortage of qualified workers due to expected retirements. This comes at a time when water systems are working to modernize while also managing aging water infrastructure. Additionally, new technical and scientific skillsets are needed to prepare for new challenges like strengthening resilience to cyberattacks.
The focus of the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program is to develop a strong pool of skilled 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. The four program areas include:
- Targeted internships and 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.
- 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.
Grant applications must be received by EPA through grants.gov by October 5, 2026.
