This document discusses efforts to address a shortage of drinking water operators in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) represents over 1,200 drinking water professionals. There are over 1,700 public water systems in the state that require licensed operators. To attract new operators as half of the current ones retire in the next 5-10 years, MWWA partnered with vocational schools and the state environmental agency to create an internship program. Students received classroom and hands-on training in water treatment processes and safety before interning at local water systems. Both interns and systems benefited from the meaningful experience and training of future operators. Five students from one participating school passed their drinking water license exam.

1. Becoming a Drinking Water
Operator
September 20, 2019

2. About MWWA
S MWWA is a membership organization
dedicated to the advancement of the
drinking water profession
S 1,200 members throughout the state
S Membership consists of drinking water
operators, managers, consulting
engineers, regulators, equipment
manufacturers and vendors

3. Public Water Systems
S There are more than 1,700 public water
systems in MA
S Municipal water systems, but also schools,
daycares, restaurants, campgrounds, condo
associations…
S Each water system needs a primary and
secondary drinking water operator with a
license appropriate for the system they
are operating

4. Drinking Water Licensing
S Overseen by the Board of Certification of
Operators of Drinking Water Facilities
S 2 License Paths – Distribution and
Treatment
S 4 Grades of License in each path
S For Grade 2 or above licenses there are
educational requirements prior to sitting
for the exam

5. Challenge….
S It is expected that one-half of our drinking
water operators will be retiring in the next
5-10 years
S The profession is not widely recognized and
there is an under-appreciation of what
drinking water operators do
S There are more complex drinking water
requirements to comply with

6. Solution….
S MassDEP created the Green Jobs
Training and Placement Partnership
(2008-2014) to
S Attract, identify and train future operators and
drinking water professionals
S Partner with existing training programs to
introduce the drinking water profession
through:
S Classroom training
S Field training/internships

7. Vocational Technical High School
Outreach
S Work with area high schools to expose
students to drinking water operations
S Show them how many opportunities exist
within the field

8. Outreach to Vocational Technical
High Schools
S Minuteman Regional, Lexington, MA
S Greater New Bedford Regional, New
Bedford, MA
S Worcester Technical, Worcester, MA
S All have Dept. of Ed. approved Environmental
Science and Technology Programs
S Many of the students have OSHA 10hr. and 40
hr. training, First Aid and CPR certification and
Minuteman students have wastewater licenses

9. What was offered to the High
Schools…
S Reference materials for each of the
schools
S Work with the instructors to
determine appropriate guest
lecturers from the water supply
profession
S Field trips to area drinking water
treatment plants
S Internship Opportunities
S Reimbursement for taking the
Operator Exam
S Participation on schools’ Advisory
Committee

10. Curriculum -Example
S Water Treatment Plant Operation Overview
S Drinking Water Sources & Watershed Protection
S Preliminary Treatment Processes
S Coagulation and Flocculation
S Clarification, Filtration and Adsorption Processes
S Disinfection Treatment Processes
S Corrosion Control
S Taste & Odor Control
S Other treatment technologies: Iron & Manganese Control, Softening &
Fluoridation
S Drinking Water Treatment Plant Testing, Sampling, and Reporting
Processes
S Drinking Water Treatment Applied Math
S Drinking Water Treatment Maintenance and Troubleshooting Skills
S Drinking Water Treatment Operations Safety Practices

11. Internship Component
S MassDEP developed a Environmental Placement
Partnership Internship Program funded through
EPA Operator Expense Reimbursement Grant
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/
greenjob.htm
S MWWA identified Public Water Systems who
would be willing to host interns
S MWWA processed applications from interested
students and set up interviews with prospective
water systems

12. Internship Component
S Interns were reimbursed $10/hr for 300
hours of work
S Work needed to be meaningful and
expose students to many facets of the
operation
S Students were required to complete and
submit a project at the conclusion of the
internship

13. Internship Model – Springfield Example
S Week 1 – Water Resources:
S Land acquisitions, forestry management, and water quality sampling
S Week 2 – Water Treatment:
S West Parish Filters – Slow and rapid sand filtration and treatment of
water
S Week 3 – Water Storage:
S Provin Mountain water storage and transmission
S Week 4 – Water Quality:
S Hydrant rebuilds, exercising gates, unidirectional flow, contractor
assist
S Week 5 – Engineering and Field Inspection:
S Project management, dig safe, new main supervision, and safety
S Week 6 – Ludlow Reservoir:
S Public access program, Information and technology, and security
S Week 7 – Construction and Services:
S Valve replacement, new services

14. What did the PWS get out of the
internship?
S Satisfaction of introducing students to the
drinking water profession
S Ability to share their knowledge and
experience with bright, energetic, intelligent
students who have introductory drinking
water knowledge
S Opportunity to observe and mentor a future
operator
S Extra personnel to help their department at
low or no cost

15. What did students get out of the
internship?
S Valuable experience to include on their
resume
S Practical, hands-on skills and a greater
knowledge and understanding of the
important work that is done to provide people
with safe drinking water
S Stipend
S Possibility of future employment with host
public water systems

16. Quote from a PWS
“The individuals that go through this program are able to see a little bit of
everything from source to tap. One of the biggest advantages I see is
that each Employee that takes the Intern for a time gets an opportunity
to teach what they know and take for granted. It takes practice to impart
knowledge. As our employees haven’t had the opportunity to train
someone new coming in from the outside I expect that they get better at
it each time. I know I do. So as the majority of our employees retire over
the next ten years and a new wave of employees come in to replace
them, our staff is better practiced and prepared to train these new
employees. This unforeseen benefit would not have been realized or
been possible without this Program and for that I am very grateful and
hope that it can continue. It is a benefit that more communities facing
the same problem should consider.” Kimberly Abraham, Water Quality
& Environmental Analyst, Worcester Water Operations

17. Quote from an intern
“ the program allowed me to broaden my horizons
by learning about …… MassDEP’s eDEP
programs – all experiences and knowledge that
will help me in today’s tough jobs market. I …..
have already used some of the skills and
information I learned during the program to help
me in my new position. I think the program
provided me with an excellent opportunity to
better myself, to become more of a friend to the
environment, and to learn valuable new skills. I
hope others have an opportunity to participate in
the future.”

18. Five of six graduating seniors at Minuteman Technical High School who
passed their Drinking Water Treatment Exam (along with their instructor Terry
Regan).

19. Questions??
S Contact:
S Jennifer Pederson, Executive Director
Massachusetts Water Works Association
jpederson@masswaterworks.org or
978-263-1388