(AGENPARL) – lun 25 settembre 2023 Issued: Sep 25, 2023 (11:15am EDT)
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces Availability of $20 Million in Grants to
Create Career Opportunities in the Water Workforce
WASHINGTON (September 25, 2023) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is announcing the availability of over $20 million in grant funding to
support training for workers who protect and treat our nation’s drinking
water and provide critical wastewater services. Through the Innovative Water
Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program, EPA will support training
and career opportunities in the water sector. With the Biden-Harris
Administration’s historic investment in water infrastructure, growing and
sustaining the water sector workforce is more important than ever for ensuring
clean and safe water for generations to come.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to Investing in America, and
that means investing in the workers that build and operate our nation’s
water systems,” said EPA Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Our
Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program supports
local programs that help people get the training they need to enter the water
workforce or the necessary upskilling to advance in their careers.”
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, needed investments
in the nation’s infrastructure, and new technical and scientific skill sets
required to operate and maintain these systems. Current estimates indicate
that as many as one third of water workers will be eligible to retire within
the next 5-10 years.
The focus of the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant
program is to build a strong pool of skilled and diverse workers in the water
and wastewater utilities sector. This grant program supports collaboration
among federal, state, and local governments and institutions of higher
education, apprentice programs, labor organizations, high schools, and other
community-based organizations to provide access to workforce opportunities and
build career pipelines in the water sector. There are six program areas:
• Targeted internships apprenticeships for skilled water utility trades.
• Education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher
education students. 
• Regional industry and workforce development collaborations to hiring
qualified candidates.
• Leadership development, occupational training, mentoring, or
cross-training programs that support career advancement.
• Education and training programs designed for decentralized (septic) water
workers to support public health for communities that rely on private wells
for drinking water or septic systems. 
• Training and development for workforce development programs that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants to benefit disadvantaged
communities. 
Applications must be received by EPA by November 17, 2023.
Learn more about the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development
Grant program.
Background
The Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant was
established through the America’s Water Infrastructure Act, passed by
Congress in 2018. Eligible applicants for this competitive agreement under
Project Areas one through five are nonprofit professional or service
organizations, nonprofit labor organizations, nonprofit community colleges,
institutions of higher education, other nonprofit training and educational
institutions, and public works departments. Under Project Area six eligible
applicants are community-based organizations (CBOs) and CBOs who partner with
an Indian tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education.
Questions about applying for EPA funding for the Innovative Water
Infrastructure Workforce Development cooperative agreement must be received by
October 17, 2023. Questions can be submitted by emailing
17, 2023. EPA encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in
these projects to apply.
Learn more about the recipients from the last round of funding and EPA’s
activities on building the water workforce. 
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