Jobs Flow to Water Technology

Water has been called the “substance of life” and is often described as more precious than gold. The cause of conflicts and rivalries throughout history, the epic weather extremes of the 21st Century are driving speculation that the next world war will be fought over water.

The recent water crisis in Texas has once again pushed the importance of water to the forefront of public awareness. On February 25, the Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability (WATER) Act was introduced into both houses of Congress. The bill, backed by more than 70 original cosponsors and 500 advocacy organizations, would provide a $35 billion annual trust fund for urgently-needed drinking water and infrastructure improvements, and it would create up to one million high-paying jobs per year.

Once again, California’s community colleges are leading the way in preparing workers for this unique and vital career/technical field. And classes are low cost and COVID compliant.

Serving San Gabriel Valley and Southern California, Citrus College offers various programs in water technology. One of many outstanding career technical programs at Citrus College, Water Technology prepares students for entry-level employment or advancement in the public water sector, including the distribution and treatment of water. Those already employed in the industry can use course credit as contact hours for license renewals or to move up to the next level of employment.

Citrus College students can also prepare for certification examinations given by the State Water Resources Control Board and the American Water Works Association. The college offers a Certificate of Achievement or an Associate Degree in water technology, which will lead to careers in water supply, water efficiency, program conservation, conservation outreach, natural resources, environmental protection and many others.

Water management will likely remain a viable and growing job sector long into the future, and the importance of providing clean accessible water will remain a national and global priority. Just as the Egyptians built channels to draw water from the Nile for irrigation and transportation, and the Romans build their famous aqueducts to transport fresh water to highly populated areas in their domain, water technology will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of the times.

About the Author:

Dr. Edward C. Ortell is the senior governing board member at Citrus College and a Professor Emeritus at Pasadena City College. He has served on the California Community College Trustees (CCCT) state board of directors and 11 terms as president of the Citrus College Board of Trustees.