A year ago, EMWD launched a modernization of its longstanding education program. The focus is on developing its future workforce through a yearslong Environmental Water Resource Career Technical Education (CTE) program. The result is that EMWD staff can promote water industry careers to the industry’s future workforce.
That program – the first of its kind in the region – was recently honored by the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) with its Excellence in Public Outreach and Education Award. CASA is an industry organization committed to the collection, treatment, and recycling of wastewater.
“So often, the community does not think about all that goes into providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services,” EMWD Board President Stephen Corona said. “Our CTE program gives students a comprehensive, curriculum-based understanding of what it takes, while opening their eyes to the wide range of career opportunities available at water agencies.
“I have no doubt that EMWD is educating its future employees as part of this program.”
For decades, EMWD has partnered with area school districts to promote water education programs, with the emphasis on establishing positive water use habits. In 2024-25, the program changed its focus to proactively address a looming problem all water agencies are facing: finding their future workforce.
Approximately half of all EMWD employees will be eligible to retire in the next five years, mirroring national industry trends. EMWD sought to address this challenge by promoting water industry career opportunities to high school students.
In 2024, EMWD hosted its first summer teacher workshop and further expanded the program in 2025. The workshop provided the opportunity to “educate the educators” about water industry topics. It also provided EMWD with critical feedback on the curriculum it created, which meets Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and CTE standards.
At Hemet Unified School District’s West Valley High, more than 100 students participated in the CTE program. They toured facilities, engaged with EMWD staff members, and learned about topics including water sources, treatment, distribution, wastewater treatment, and recycled water. A capstone project included designing and constructing a diorama of a desalination plant, complete with an evaluation of project costs.
The immersive program will continue to expand in the 2025-26 school year, including dual enrollment in Mt. San Jacinto College’s Water Technology program and at other area high schools.
“This is an amazing partnership to have with EMWD,” said Michelle Serrano, the CTE teacher at West Valley. “It’s so important that every kid can have a home here. Through our program, we are showing our kids a path to a career. Once they see that purpose and vision for school, they will excel.”
EMWD recently hosted a summer session for the West Valley High students, who had even further opportunities to shadow EMWD employees across plant operations and multiple departments.
For one of Serrano’s students at West Valley, the program has opened his eyes to a potential career opportunity.
As he was walking across EMWD’s headquarters, Alfonso Lucero, a junior, spotted one of EMWD’s cross-connection specialists who he had met earlier in the week and remembered him by name.
The EMWD employee pulled his equipment from his truck and provided an impromptu, hands-on backflow testing presentation while speaking passionately about his career. For Lucero, it was a taste of what may one day be a career he plans to pursue.
“I find it really interesting,” Lucero said. “You can help people out by making sure their water is secure and there are no contaminants in it. I think it’s really awesome.”
Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to nearly one million people living and working within a 682-square mile service area in western Riverside County and northern San Diego County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency, and its mission is “To deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.