For Parents

About the Water Industry

The water industry is responsible for ensuring safe drinking water for millions of Americans. Over 54,000 community water systems in the United States provide about 90% of Americans with their tap water (AWWA). Operations employees are on the front line at every water and wastewater utility. The people that hold these positions have immense responsibility and are held to extremely high standards of performance. Operations employees protect public health and the environment everyday by ensuring state and federal regulations are followed. With this responsibility comes some solid rewards-great benefits, ongoing education and training and a multiple future career paths with increasing responsibility and pay.

In fact, water industry operations positions are higher paying as compared to others. For example, Water Treatment Plant Operators in a medium-sized community can make a salary in the mid-forties. These jobs require training and certifications, but in most cases, a college degree is encouraged but not required.

The Water Utility Science Program

One program offered via the Get Into Water! Project is the Water Utility Science Program (WUSP), a training program that is offered to high school seniors at Boulder High School and Emily Griffith Technical College in Denver. The WUSP introduces students to career opportunities in the water and wastewater industries and provides specialized training courses leading to State of Colorado certifications.

Students who complete this training and earn certification would be qualified to apply for operator positions at dozens of municipalities and utilities along the Front Range and throughout Colorado. These are well-paid, technical positions at utilities that offer benefits and career progression. Front Range utilities are actively looking for workers even in this poor economy. We’re proud to be offering such an innovative program aimed at connecting our students with career opportunities like this.

The program will offer specialized courses after students complete a required course called Water Foundations. Water Foundations will be offered to students as a 90-hour, one-semester introduction to careers available in the water industry. It will be an interactive, hands-on comprehensive overview of the water industry including water sources; treatment, and distribution; water regulations, stormwater and water conservation; wastewater collection and treatment and return to the creek emphasizes local water information, history and issues. This will be an experiential course with field trips helping the student understand the range of job opportunities in the water industry.

After completion of Water Foundations, students who are interested in pursuing a career in the water industry will have the option to select from additional courses including: Water Distribution, Wastewater Collections, Water Treatment and Wastwater Treatment.

Credentials

Students who complete a program of study will be provided a certificate of completion from the hosting agency. Students may also choose to sit for a State of Colorado certification. Individuals must have a high school diploma or GED and be 18 years of age to be eligible to receive a State certification, however, they can take the exam at any age.

Community College Credit

The Get Into Water Project Team is seeking community college credit for all courses included in the program. Participating school districts are developing articulation plans with the community college serving their area.

Required Competencies

For more information about what it takes to work in the water field, read this U.S. Department of Labor information: click here.