
2025 Scholarship Applications Open for Aspiring Water Professionals
San Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2025 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals.
The acceleration of industry retirements and the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies result in an increased effort to develop more skilled individuals for water and wastewater industry jobs, including in San Diego County.
Scholarships are available for community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and graduate-level programs. The following examples are due in the coming weeks for the following academic school year.
San Diego Regional Water Scholarships
Helix Water District will recognize two outstanding graduating high school seniors living within the district’s service area with $1,000 scholarships for their university studies next fall
The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship and $1,000 Dr. Lillian M. Childs Scholarship honor two past leaders of Helix Water District. Friedgen retired in 1998 after 19 years as the district’s general manager, and Childs retired in 1999 after 20 years on the board of directors.
Applicants must graduate in Spring 2025 and attend a four-year college or university starting Fall 2025. Students submit a two-page essay exploring potable reuse and the East County Advanced Water Purification project. The scholarship committee reviews each applicant’s grades, extracurricular activities, volunteer and work experience, academic and career goals, and financial need.
Deadline: 5 p.m. on March 7, 2025. Learn more about eligibility and find the online application here.

(L to R) Ilona Medina, Elizabeth Fellars, and Juan Paz are the 2024 scholarship recipients from the Vista Irrigation District. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for up to six scholarship(s) from the District ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The purpose of the scholarship program is to increase knowledge and awareness of how water related issues influence our daily activities.
Students who compete for a scholarship must complete an essay and provide a one-page personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria also include community involvement or volunteer service, and letters of recommendation from high school faculty.
Applications must be received via email or at the District’s office by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025. Eligible students must live or go to school within the Vista Irrigation District service area. Find the application link here.
Contact Brent Reyes at (760) 597-3107 or with questions or to request application information.

Vallecitos Water District intern Logan Crawford was introduced to multiple job assignments during his recent internship. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Vallecitos Water District invites local high school seniors and students at Palomar College and California State University San Marcos to compete for scholarships from the District. Up to six scholarships may be awarded, up to $2,000 per scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship program is to encourage students to learn more about water-related issues impacting their community.
Eligible students must live or attend school within the Vallecitos Water District’s service area. Scholarship applications from students pursuing careers in water, environmental science, engineering, or related fields are highly desirable.
Students must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria include community involvement or volunteer service, a financial needs worksheet, and letters of recommendation from faculty or an associate.
Scholarship packages will be available starting February 3, 2025. To get application materials, email Chris Robbins at . Applications for the 2025 scholarship must be emailed or delivered to the District office by April 25, 2025.
Sweetwater Authority’s “Work for Water” scholarships are now open for applications.
Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to new or currently enrolled students at the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College or another accredited college, community college, or trade school with a career goal in the water industry. The application deadline has not been determined. For questions regarding the scholarship, application, or uploading documentation, email .

California’s community colleges can help you quickly prepare for a water career by obtaining an associate’s degree. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources
Through the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges, the Mark Watton Scholarship Fund supports students attending the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College. It honors Otay Water District General Manager Mark Watton’s four decades of service to the district.
Applicants must be enrolled for at least six units at Cuyamaca College, verify financial need, and complete the general application and essay. Scholarships of $1,000 are available. The application period is March 24 to May 2, 2025.
Students can contact Cuyamaca College scholarship specialist Shirley Hughes with questions at
National University partners with the San Diego County Water Authority to offer a 25% tuition reduction scholarship to employees and employees of all member water agencies. The San Diego County Water Authority Tuition Reduction Scholarship benefits working adults who want to reach specific educational goals but find it challenging to fit classes into their busy life. The tuition reduction scholarship can be applied to most associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. Click for more information.
California Statewide Water Scholarships

Andrea Solis used the CWEA Kirt Brooks Memorial Scholarship to fund her Civil Engineering studies at UC Davis. Photo: CWEA
The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment Scholarship is a scholarship for students in or interested in the water environment industry who are members of CWEA or sponsored by a CWEA member.
Scholarships are given for the Fall – Summer school year following the application deadline.
Applications are due on April 25 for the school year beginning the following September. Applicants are notified in May/June of their status/amount of award. Apply online here.
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) offers four undergraduate scholarships, one graduation scholarship, and a fellowship opportunity to qualified applicants attending a University of California or California State University campus.
Students must be juniors or seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree in a water-resources related field such as engineering, agriculture, environmental studies, or public administration. Criteria include scholastic achievement and motivation to the vocation of water-resources management.
ACWA began its scholarship programs in 1961 to motivate committed students to join the effort to ensure California’s water quality through sound management policies. The scholarship program is all about investing in future water leaders.
Deadline: March 1, 2025. Application Link. For questions, call 916-441-4545 or email .

Water and wastewater agencies and associations provide water workers with training and career development opportunities, so you can continue to grow and advance in your career. Photo: Andrew Nixon, California Dept. of Water Resources
The California-Nevada section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awards more than $20,000 in scholarships supporting students and professionals pursuing careers in a drinking water-related field. Two $5,000 graduate scholarships, four $2,500 undergraduate scholarships, and two $1,000 scholarships in support of training as a drinking water treatment/distribution operator are available.
Environmental and civil engineers; water, wastewater and recycling treatment plant operators; distribution system operators; chemists; laboratory technicians; biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists; and others whose roles support safe and reliable drinking water are all suitable candidates.
Deadline: March 15, 2025. Application Link. For information, call 909-481-7200 or email
The Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Canham Graduate Studies scholarship provides $25,000 for a graduate student in the water environment field. The scholarship is for education-related expenses such as room and board, tuition, and books. It may not be used to cover stipends or wages.
The applicant must be a WEF member, complete an online application, and be enrolled in a graduate program. Recipients must commit to working in the water industry for two years following graduation.

According to the Centers for Excellence in Labor Market Research (COE), 67% of California water agencies report they are finding it difficult to recruit water and wastewater operators. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Deadline: March 31, 2025. Apply online here. For questions, email
With approximately 1,400 water and wastewater jobs expected to open across San Diego County in the next five years due to retirements, water industry careers offer promising lifelong professional opportunities. For more information, visit sandiegowaterworks.org