WYLIE, TX — The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) has been selected to receive a 2021 National Environmental Achievement Award (NEAA) from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) in the Workforce Development category for its Waterworks Program. This training program is a collaborative partnership with Collin College to address the growing worker shortage across the water and wastewater treatment industry. The national award is presented to NACWA member public clean water utilities that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection, their communities, ratepayers, and the water sector.

“Despite the many challenges and setbacks that we faced as a nation and a global community in 2020, these NACWA member public utilities were able to deliver on the promise of continued and reliable clean water services,” said Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer of NACWA. “America’s public clean water utilities held steadfast in their commitment to serve and inspire their communities throughout the course of the pandemic.”

In an effort to be proactive, NTMWD created the Waterworks Program in partnership with Collin College to address a well-defined shortage of experienced water and wastewater operators due to an industry-wide wave of retirements in the water treatment sector. The program provides a pathway for students interested in working in water and wastewater operations and develops a pipeline of future employees critical to supporting the fast-growing North Texas region.

The training program is offered without charge to participating students through a 2019 Texas Talent Connection grant award. The program consists of two training paths toward the goal of earning a Class D license, one for water operators and the other for wastewater operators. Once eligible, students will be able to take the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Class D Certification exam. Following the training and licensure attainment, participants will have the opportunity to apply for on-the-job experience with a five-week internship at NTMWD.

“The NTMWD Waterworks Program partnership with Collin College is just beginning to bear fruit, and long-term projections look hopeful,” said Rodney Rhoades, NTMWD Interim Executive Director. “Water and wastewater operations are essential services our communities will always need and is a very rewarding career.”