The worker shortage in Texas Rural Water systems might be getting worse, with as many as 1 in 3 current water workers planning to retire in the next 5 years.
But Jason Knobloch of the Texas Rural Water Association says there are efforts well underway to address these issues.
Among the initiatives being undertaken - new State Laws have been implemented that create Provisional water operator licenses for those workers that are planning to graduate from high school or earn their GEDs - which is required for a Class D license to operate water systems in Texas after completing a 20 hour basic course of instruction. Provisional licenses would automatically become permanent once the worker finishes high school.
Apprentice programs have been implemented to connect new workers with mentors at participating water utilities.
In addition to recruiting high schoolers, Knobloch said that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice could be a possible source of future water workers - especially since many texas prisons operate their own water and waste water systems and could provide opportunities for "on the job" training.
Higher pay and increased use of technology may also allow water utilities in Texas to recruit new workers to address the current shortage.
Photo: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE / AFP / Getty Images