Increasing Awareness of Water Treatment Careers

This project addresses the shortage of water treatment operators in the United States, a critical issue impacting public health and environmental safety. With a significant portion of current operators nearing retirement age, the study, conducted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), aimed to identify the causes of this shortage. Through interviews with 18 municipal officials and private corporations, alongside surveys of 206 vocational high school and community college students, the project sought to understand the challenges in recruitment. The findings informed the development of recommendations designed to increase awareness of and interest in water treatment careers among potential candidates.