Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program

New EPA Grant Program

On October 15, 2021, EPA announced the selection of 10 organizations to receive a total of $3.8 million in funding for a new grant program that will help build the water workforce and connect individuals to career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, as well as expand public awareness about the opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utilities.

• View EPA's Press Release on the new water sector workforce grant program.

Job training and workforce development are an important part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice issues in underserved communities.  Frontline workers at water and wastewater treatment utilities across the country are central to public health, environmental, and economic well-being in all communities, big and small. The water industry is facing wide-spread shortages of qualified workers due to expected retirements, new investments in the nation’s infrastructure, and new technical and scientific skill sets required to operate and maintain these systems.

The selected recipients for the 2020 and 2021 Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program are:

• Amigos De Los Rios (California)
• East Central University (Oklahoma) (pdf) (1.55 MB)
• Rowan University (New Jersey) (pdf) (1.38 MB)
• Wichita State University (Kansas) (pdf) (500.48 KB)
• Grand Rapids Community College (Michigan) (pdf) (1.25 MB)
• Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Government (Ohio) (pdf) (1.23 MB)
• Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (Washington State)
• Syracuse University (New York) (pdf) (1000.62 KB)
• Rural Community Assistance Partnership (Washington, D.C.) (pdf) (819.89 KB)
• American Water Works Association (Colorado) (pdf) (1.02 MB)

EPA anticipates that it will make awards to these 10 recipients once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. Funding this project furthers the Administration's goals of a cleaner, healthier environment for all Americans and future generations. 

As background, on January 22, 2021, EPA announced the Request for Applications (RFA). The period for submitting applications ended on March 26, 2021.

• RFA for Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program (pdf) (334.93 KB)
• View Frequent Questions about the application process.