Water Finance & Management Byline: Why Strengthening Our Water Workforce is an Investment in Public Health
NAWC president and CEO Robert Powelson teamed up with Bluefield Research’s Greg Goodwin on a just released Water Finance & Management byline that highlights the report recently released by the two organizations, “Addressing Today’s Challenges and Opportunities in the U.S. Water Utility Workforce.” The byline explores findings from the report about how the water sector is facing a critical workforce shortage, primarily due to an aging workforce and increased competition for talent, which threatens the reliability of safe drinking water systems. Citing examples from many NAWC member companies, Powelson and Goodwin conclude that investing in the water workforce through strategic planning, comprehensive training, clear career pathways and community engagement is an investment in public health and will help secure future generations’ access to safe, reliable water.
Behind every tap delivering safe drinking water stands a skilled professional – and utilities are running out of them.
This expectation of reliable, clean water – so fundamental that it’s often taken for granted – relies largely on the skilled professionals who operate, maintain and manage our nation’s water systems. Yet the water sector is at a critical juncture in managing its most valuable asset: its people. Addressing workforce challenges is not just an industry concern but a public health imperative.
Recent research from the National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) and Bluefield Research, based on in-depth conversations with leaders on the front lines of the water industry across 30 utilities and stakeholders in 18 states, provides a comprehensive, ground-level view of the workforce pressures utilities face. The findings confirm what industry leaders have long known: the sector’s “Silver Tsunami” of retiring workers, combined with increased competition for talent and evolving workforce expectations, demands immediate and innovative action.