The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has opened applications for $10.8 million in grant funding to train and retain workers across the drinking water and wastewater sectors. The funding is offered through the Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant, with the stated goal of expanding skills and strengthening career pipelines for essential utility roles.
EPA described the initiative as a response to a nationwide workforce gap. Utilities are preparing for a wave of retirements while managing ageing infrastructure, adopting new technologies, and addressing increased exposure to cyber threats. According to the agency, systems need both additional personnel and workers equipped with updated technical competencies to keep pace with these pressures.
The new funding builds on discussions from a recent EPA roundtable focused on strengthening the water workforce. Participants from the agency, states, and industry explored strategies to lower barriers to entry and improve coordination across state lines to help water systems recruit and retain qualified candidates.
Created under the 2018 America’s Water Infrastructure Act, the Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant will fund four areas designed to support end-to-end talent development and public health protection:
- Apprenticeships and internships to develop skilled trades within water utilities.
- School and university programs spanning elementary, secondary, and higher education levels.
- Regional employer–workforce partnerships to connect qualified candidates with job openings.
- Training for professionals working with decentralized systems, supporting communities that rely on private wells or septic tanks.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, labor groups, community colleges, universities, and public works departments. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov by October 5, 2026.
The agency framed the announcement around the daily reliance on qualified water professionals to ensure safe drinking water and properly managed wastewater. The grants are intended to advance practical, demonstrated approaches that help utilities meet evolving operational and cybersecurity requirements while maintaining service reliability.