AUSTIN, Texas — A crisis is happening in the water industry. High rates of retirement and difficulty filling positions have resulted in a water and wastewater operator shortage in Central Texas and across the state.
This is on top of the critical water supply issues the KVUE Defenders have been following with an in-depth look at how communities are dealing with increasing demand for water as the population continues to grow amid ongoing drought conditions.
But there are efforts underway to reverse the trend. One of those efforts is happening inside the PixelForge office in North Austin as preparations for a video shoot are underway.
Mike Howe, the executive director of the Texas American Water Works Association, is in charge.
"We are producing the last of our series of the SETH Project," Howe said.
His group is creating a new online program for high schoolers to become water and wastewater operators.
SETH stands for science, engineering, technology and health. The goal of the SETH Project is to attract more young people to the water industry.
"Water utilities across the state and the country are losing their water operators and other employees at a much more rapid clip than we have ever seen before," Howe said.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office called it "a coming crisis for the water industry."
A Texas Water Infrastructure Network survey revealed that 68% of water utilities are worried about their current or future workforce.
Texas lawmakers are concerned as well, passing House Bill 1845 earlier this year. The new law creates a provisional certification program that makes it easier and faster for high schoolers to get a Class D license for wastewater operators or public water system operators.
In comments about the bill, lawmakers cited that 50% of the water industry's workforce will leave in the next 10 years.
But before the new law and before the SETH Project began, Pflugerville ISD addressed the shortage with its own certification program.
Traci Hendrix is the district's career and technical education director.
"I've known for a few years now because I'm married to someone who's in the industry. So, you know, when we are sitting at dinner and talking, it comes up," Hendrix said.
She said since its online program started two years ago, Pflugerville ISD has graduated 11 students.
Jasymne Smith is one of them. The 18-year-old is a new field operator with Crossroads Utility Services.
On the day KVUE visited Smith, her duties included checking water pressure, monitoring chlorine levels and flushing out fire hydrants every month.
Smith said before she graduated high school in May, she didn't know what she wanted to do.
"I feel like it really made a big difference in my life as well because I wasn't sure what I was going to do. And now I have a job right after high school. So, I'm very thankful," Smith said.
James Wills is her boss and the vice president of operations at Crossroads.
"If we can't hire local operators, we need to grow them ourselves," Wills said.
He said Pflugerville ISD's certification program is a pathway to not only jobs but careers.
"These folks like Jasmyne who are getting into this field now at that age, they're going to be the leaders of tomorrow as everybody starts retiring and as they advance and grow," he said.
With the SETH Project's online program launching in January, water industry insiders hope high schoolers are the answer to the looming labor shortage.
KVUE reached out to Austin Water to see if it plans to take part in the SETH Project.
A spokesperson sent the following statement:
"Austin Water plans to participate in the SETH project; in fact, Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson is in the promotional video for the program and one of our operations division managers participated in one of the instructional videos. We are preparing to begin outreach to school districts in our service area. Staff recruitment is a key initiative for Austin Water. Recently, we’ve held Hiring Open Houses at our water treatment plants to help fill key operations positions. Through the SETH project, high school students will be able to complete the Basic Water training course and take the TCEQ test to become a Class D Certified Water Operator. We look forward to introducing a new generation to rewarding careers in the water industry through the SETH project."