Drinking Water Week 2021 - Honors Drinking Water Professionals

Thank you for the work you do to protect public health in CO!

In honor of Drinking Water Week, we partner with American Water Works Association (AWWA) to recognize the hard work of Colorado’s water professionals and operators. Water operators continue to play a critical role in protecting public health and the environment through water utility work during the pandemic. A job in the water sector can provide meaningful, stable employment with the opportunity to make a difference in communities across the country. 

Currently, between 30% and 50% of the nation's water protection specialists are eligible to retire in the next five to 10 years. The EPA has launched America’s Water Sector Workforce Initiative to prevent a potential shortage of water professionals. Want to make a difference in your community by becoming a water professional? Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

Getting started

• There is no experience required - you do need to be physically able to complete the work

• There is no certification required - you do need a High school diploma or GED

• You may be required to have an active driver’s license or test for a commercial driver’s license to operate machinery

• You may be required to obtain certification after a certain amount of time on the job

Anyone can apply for entry-level positions and work their way up to higher operator levels.

Our Colorado Certified Water Professional’s Program webpage has a multitude of resources for anyone considering the profession. Just a few categories are: getting started in the profession, advancing in the profession, and active duty military and veterans. The information available walks you through which certificate is right for you, general requirements in Colorado, steps to becoming certified, and more.

While a college degree is not required to get started in the profession, you may be interested in special training at two local community colleges. These colleges currently offer a water quality course curriculum for those interested in pursuing education and certification first.

Local education opportunities

Pikes Peak Community College

Water Environmental Technology

DEGREES

• Associate of Applied Science - Water Environmental Technology

CERTIFICATES

• Wastewater Collection and Treatment

• Water Distribution and Treatment

Red Rocks Community College

Water Quality Management

DEGREES 

• Bachelors of Applied Science - Water Quality Management Technology

• Associate of Applied Science - Water Quality Management

CERTIFICATES

• Distribution and Collection Certificate

• Introduction to Water Treatment Certificate

• Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Certificate

• Laboratory Analysis Certificate

• Mathematics in Water Quality Certificate

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Red Rocks Community College also offers continuing education in the form of Training Units. Training Units are required by the State to maintain valid water operator licenses.

Career postings

In addition to EPA’s initiative discussed above, our Drinking Water Week partner, the American Water Works Association, is also dedicated to promoting water operator jobs as a lifelong career path. AWWA has a helpful webpage for operators, as well as a Career Center dashboard for water professionals nationwide. Take a look at current opportunities to see how the job listings sound! Positions range from maintenance technicians to plant operators, and even utility operations managers. There are many routes to get your foot in the door.

Regardless of the road taken, a professional career in the water industry will continue to be a necessary and secure job for anyone that pursues it. We will always need water!

Check out our Water🌢Works flyer for more information.

➽  Water Quality Control Division's communications team