Trump Administration Announces $10.8 Million in Available Grant Funding to Strengthen Water Sector Workforce
WASHINGTON— U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of $10.8 million in grant funding to support training for workers in the water sector. These essential workers play a key role in treating our nation’s drinking water and providing wastewater services that protect human health and the environment.
Enhancing recruitment and training for the water sector workforce is more important than ever in light of anticipated retirements, aging water infrastructure, evolving technologies used in the sector, and emerging risks like cyberattacks. This grant builds on the agency’s recent roundtable discussing how to help recruit and retain individuals into meaningful careers in water and to identify opportunities where EPA can help reduce barriers and improve interstate coordination.
“Every time Americans turn on the tap or flush the toilet, they depend on qualified and dedicated professionals in the water sector to ensure that drinking water is safe and wastewater is properly managed,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer. “The Trump EPA is using every tool in the toolbox, including over $10 million in new funding, to strengthen and fortify the nation’s water workforce. We are working collaboratively with states, the water sector, and local partners to advance practical, tangible, and demonstrated effective solutions.”
Nationally, drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems are facing a shortage of qualified workers due to expected retirements. This comes at a time when water systems are working to modernize while also managing aging water infrastructure. Additionally, new technical and scientific skillsets are needed to prepare for new challenges like strengthening resilience to cyberattacks.
The focus of the Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant program is to develop a strong pool of skilled 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. The four program areas include:
- Targeted internships and 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.
- 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.
This action makes near-term progress while the agency continues its efforts to revitalize the 2020 Water Workforce Initiative—developed and released in the first Trump Administration. Grant applications must be received by EPA through grants.gov by October 5, 2026. EPA encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.
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 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. Questions about applying for EPA funding can be submitted by emailing waterworkforceNOFO@epa.gov.