Addressing staffing shortages to improve America’s water systems

Featured in February 2022 APWA Reporter Magazine

By Damon L. Garrett, PE

Major infrastructure repair and replacement projects are on the horizon. The infrastructure bill proposes $11.7 billion each for the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $15 billion to replace lead-containing water lines. Another $10 billion is earmarked for solutions to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other contaminants found in drinking water. The problem boils down to this: we may be investing in our infrastructure, but we’re under-investing in our people. Are there enough water system operators to do the work we so desperately need?

Read the full article on the APWA website: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/february-2022/features/addressing-staffing-shortages-to-improve-americas-water-systems