Preparing Water Utilities For An Aging Workforce

Host: Jenelle C. Booker, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center Guest: Chris Judd, Water Systems Instructor at West-MEC in Surprise, Arizona In this two-part podcast series, The Emerging Role of Career and Technical Education Schools in Certifying the Next Generation of Water and Wastewater Operators, you’ll explore how the Water Systems Training program, offered by West Maricopa Education Center in Surprise, Arizona, is building the next generation of water professionals through career and technical education. Following an introduction to the Water Systems Training program, host Jenelle Booker continues the conversation with instructor Chris Judd. They discuss the second component of the program: work-based learning. Chris shares how regional partnerships with both private industry and regional utilities in Central Arizona built a pipeline of early career opportunities for his students. He also shares how students made Arizona wastewater history as the first high schoolers to ever take Arizona Departments of Environmental Quality wastewater treatment certification exam.Missed part one? You can find part one here, How Arizona High School Students Are Exploring Water Careers Through Hands-On Learning, and hear how the program came to be as well as how Chris Judd’s hands-on approach helps high schoolers get excited about starting a career in water.Additional Resources:EFCN Blog | How’s the Weather Today? Wastewater Workforce ForecastingEFCN Podcast | Preparing Water Utilities For An Aging WorkforceEFCN | Future Water Leaders Program

Host: Jenelle C. Booker, Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center Guest: Chris Judd, Water Systems Instructor at West-MEC in Surprise, Arizona In this two-part podcast series, The Emerging Role of Career and Technical Education Schools in Certifying the Next Generation of Water and Wastewater Operators, you’ll explore how the Water Systems Training program, offered by West Maricopa Education Center in Surprise, Arizona, is building the next generation of water professionals through career and technical education. The program introduces high school students to careers in water through a combination of hands-on learning, work-based learning and leadership training. In this episode, host Jenelle Booker speaks with the instructor of the Water Systems Training program, Chris Judd, about how the program got started. They walk through his curriculum and discuss how his teaching style supports learning and demonstrates the value of blue careers to high-school junior and seniors.Learn more about how Chris Judd responds to regional water workforce needs through work-based learning in part two, Can High Schoolers Become Qualified Water Treatment Operators? Lessons from Surprise, AZ. See you there.Additional Resources:EFCN Blog | How’s the Weather Today? Wastewater Workforce ForecastingEFCN Podcast | Preparing Water Utilities For An Aging WorkforceEFCN | Future Water Leaders Program

In this episode James Markham from the Southwest Environmental Finance Center, Michael Gilmore, Rural / Frontier Equity Ombud in the Infrastructure Planning Division of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, and Karen Pereira, Assistant Field Manager at RCAC have a roundtable discussion about preparing to request funding for utility capital projects. They discuss the kinds of funding that are available, timelines, and the actions utilities, particularly small ones, need to take to get a piece of the funding pie.Additional Resources:EFCN Blog | What Funding Is Available for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects?EFCN | Funding Tables

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. Jason Barrett, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI)Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical ServicesFollowing their discussion on workforce challenges and opportunities, hosts Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett continue the conversation with wastewater veteran David Karr by exploring the personal side of career development in the industry. David shares practical advice for those entering the profession and offers insights on building a meaningful and successful career in wastewater.   Additional Resources:EFCN Blog | How’s the Weather Today?Wastewater Workforce ForecastingEFCN Podcast | Preparing WaterUtilities For An Aging WorkforceEFCN | Future Water Leaders Program EFCN Podcast | Wastewater WorkforceWisdom

Hosts: Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, & Dr. Jason Barrett of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute (MWRRI)Guest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services In "Wastewater Workforce Wisdom," hosts Anthony Craven, Eric Williams, and Dr. Jason Barrett welcome wastewater veteran David Karr for a conversation about the people behind the profession. From recruiting and retaining operators to developing future leaders, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone committed to strengthening the wastewater workforce. Additional Resources:EFCN Blog | How’s the Weather Today? Wastewater Workforce ForecastingEFCN Podcast | Preparing Water Utilities For An Aging WorkforceEFCN | Future Water Leaders Program

Hosts: Anthony Craven & Eric Williams, Mississippi Water Resources Research InstituteGuest: David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services Water utilities nation wide are facing a critical workforce challenge as experienced operators, managers, and technicians approach retirement. In this episode of the Environmental Finance Center Network Podcast, Anthony Craven and Eric Williams of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute are joined by David Karr of Mitchell Technical Services to discuss how utilities can prepare for an aging workforce. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in the public utility sector, including service as Public Works Director for the City of Batesville, Mississippi, Karr shares practical insights on succession planning, workforce development, knowledge transfer, and building a strong pipeline of future utility professionals. Timestamps:·        Introductions: 00:40·        Introduction of the “Aging Workforce” Problem:  03:00·        How Significant Is The Workforce Issue for Water Utilities & What Are The Trends? 3:45·        Do You See More People Coming Into The Sector From The Public or Private Side? 5:15·        How Much of an Issue is an Aging Workforce Nationally? 8:00 ·        What Risks and Challenges Does This Problem Pose? 10:00·        Sharing Water Operator Knowledge with the Next Generation: 11:50·        Barriers to Attracting and Retaining Talent: 13:55·        How to Combat Negative Connotations Around Water and Wastewater Operator Jobs: 17:15·        What Should Utilities Do to Prepare for the Next Generation of the Workforce? 20:00·        Final Takeaways: 21:10 Additional Resources:·        EFCN Blog | Building the Future of Small Water Systems: Workforce Challenges, Potential, and Opportunities·        EFCN Blog | How’s the Weather Today? Wastewater Workforce Forecasting·        EFCN Webinar | Tips for Retaining a Happy, Healthy Water Workforce

PFAS drinking water regulations present significant planning, financial, and operational considerations for local governments and water utilities. As requirements and timelines continue to develop, communities must understand not only what compliance may involve, but also what funding, policy, and treatment considerations should inform their preparations.In this podcast, GFOA is joined by Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart, Associate Legislative Director with the National Association of Counties, and Steve Via, Director of Federal Relations with the American Water Works Association. The discussion examines the current status of PFAS drinking water regulations, key deadlines, the implementation process for utilities and local governments, and regulatory developments that communities should continue monitoring. The conversation also addresses the congressional and federal outlook for PFAS-related legislation, EPA reauthorization efforts, State Revolving Funds, federal water infrastructure programs, and advocacy surrounding potential changes to compliance requirements and timelines. In addition, the guests discuss considerations for managing risk, evaluating treatment options, balancing costs with long-term operational impacts, and prioritizing practical next steps. This Podcast offers valuable insights for local government officials, utility leaders, and finance professionals seeking to better understand the changing PFAS regulatory environment and prepare their communities for future compliance and infrastructure needs.Timestamps:·        Intro: 00:00 ·        PFAS Regulations as they stand today: 03:00·        Implementation Process for Utilities: 06:30·        What else should systems be looking out for the next year?: 09:00 ·        Federal Funding Options for Water Infrastructure and PFAS: 11:54·        Current Outlook on PFAS Regulations: 14:00·        How do reauthorization efforts factor into broader PFAS regulations?: 17:00·        Any updates on funding program status?: 17:55·        Updates to Compliance Timelines: 19:20·        What should municipalities watch for?: 20:40·        One action utilities should take today toprepare for PFAS Regulations: 22:20·        Outro: 24:25 Resources Mentioned During the Episode:·        National Association of Counties | 2026 Policy Brief: Increase funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs·        American Water Works Association | PFAS Developments·        National Association of Counties | PFAS Passive Receiver Protections for CountiesListen to the PFAS Series Here:·        EFCN Podcast | PFAS SeriesAdditional Resources:·        EPA | Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)·        EPA | Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)·        EPA | Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA)·        EFCN Animation | The PFAS Problem ·        EFCN Blog | PFAS Monitoring: What Small Systems Need to Know⁠·        EFCN Blog | A Guide for Water Operators Preparing for PFAs Sampling and Regulations⁠

Hosts: Eva Schwendimann & Shā Lager, Water Utility Trainer and Support Specialists, Southwest Environmental Finance Center Guest: Morgan Keeling, Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership Episode Description: In recognition of EPA’s SepticSmart Week, we give you the first Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) podcast of a multi-episode series highlighting how innovative funding can help communities address failing septic systems and protect local water quality. We had the opportunity to speak with Morgan Keeling, the Associate Director of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) in Northwest Arkansas. She spoke specifically about a wonderful program that she formerly managed, but still oversees at the IRWP, called the Septic Tank Remediation Program (STRP), where CWSRF funds are used through a combination of zero-interest loans and non-repayable grant funds to repair or replace residential failing septic systems. Morgan shares with us how the STRP was designed, lessons learned in the process, and community impact. The STRP starts in residents of Northwest Arkansas’ backyards, but the benefits of this program resonate throughout the Illinois River Watershed.  Timestamps: Illinois River Watershed Partnership and Septic Tank Remediation Program Intro: 01:34 Mission of CWSRF Podcast Series: 06:00 Why the STRP is a priority for the community and watershed: 08:19  Obstacles in application or construction processes of the CWSRF: 15:09 Timeline from application to project completion: 22:39 Ways compliance has improved under the STRP: 25:19 Unexpected positive outcomes from the project: 26:17 Major takeaways from STRP to consider in other projects: 29:07 Learn More About EPA’s SepticSmart Program Here: EPA 2026 SepticSmart Week EPA’s SepticSmart Program  Additional Resources: EFCN Animation | Septic Tanks: DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES EFCN Blog | Public Problem, Private Property: How Outreach and Incentives Drive Smarter Septic System Management 

Does your wastewater or water system have aging equipment? Looking for a way to continue operating safely and prepare for the future? Nick Willis with Wichita State University EFC, invites us to consider a few things as we evaluate the criticality, the risk, and probability of failure when it comes to systems with older equipment!Additional Resources:EFCN Blog Series | Turning Data into Action Part 1: Beyond the inventory – What Asset Management Planning Really MeansEFCN Blog Series | Turning Data into Action Part 2: Start Small – Building an Asset Management Plan that Works for YouEFCN Blog Series | Turning Data into Action Part 3: Turning Sense into Dollars – Using Asset Management for Financial Decisions

Think you know how wastewater funding works? You might be surprised. In this episode, we’re playing Fact or Fiction and taking a closer look at some of the assumptions that can make funding seem more complicated than it is. From how the Clean Water State Revolving Fund actually works to what happens when a community has a project but isn’t sure where to turn... We’re separating some common misconceptions from what systems really need to know.Additional Resources:EFCN Funding TablesEFCN Animation | SRF Funding Process: How To Get Funding For Your UtilityEFCN Blog | Funding Pipeline: How to Apply for Infrastructure Funding⁠EFCN Blog | What Funding Is Available for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects?