Tag Archive for: Water Industry Employment

California Department of Water Resources Hydroelectric Plant Operator Apprentice Katie Swadener demonstrates how to monitor for water quality. Photo: Andrew Nixon / California Department of Water Resources

2026 Scholarship Applications Open for Aspiring San Diego Water Professionals 

/in , /by

San Diego regional member water agencies and California water associations offer multiple college scholarship opportunities in 2026 to help candidates secure their education as water and wastewater professionals.

The acceleration of industry retirements, along with the increasing need for a skilled workforce trained to implement new technologies, is driving greater efforts to develop more skilled individuals for water and wastewater industry jobs, including in San Diego County.

Scholarships are available for community college, 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 Scholarships

Helix Water District will recognize two outstanding graduating high school seniors living within the district’s service area with $2,000 scholarships for their university studies next fall. The amount of the award has increased from 2025.

The Robert D. Friedgen Scholarship and the 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. These scholarship awards have also increased to $2,000 this year.

Applicants must graduate in Spring 2026 and attend a four-year college or university starting in Fall 2026. 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.

Vallecitos Water District Scholarships

Six scholarships are available for high school and college students who are residents of the Vallecitos Water District. 2026 scholarships

Six scholarships are available for high school and college students who are residents of the 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 in amounts 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 go to school within the Vallecitos Water District’s service area. Scholarship applications from students pursuing a career in water, environmental science, engineering or other related fields are highly desirable.

Students must complete an essay and provide a personal statement related to their background and/or goals. Selection criteria also include community involvement or volunteer service, a financial needs worksheet, and letters of recommendation from faculty or an associate.

Scholarship packages are now available. Email Chris Robbins to get application materials. Applications for the 2026 scholarship must be emailed or delivered to the District office by Friday, March 27, 2026.

Deadline: 5 p.m. on March 6, 2026. Learn more about eligibility and find the online application here.

Vista Irrigation District Scholarships

Vista Irrigation District invites local high school seniors to compete for up to six scholarship(s) from the District in amounts 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 20, 2026. 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.

Sweetwater Authority “Work For Water” Scholarships

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 .

Institution-Based College Scholarships

The Mark Watton Scholarship Fund through the Foundation for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges 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 currently 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. Application dates are March 23 to May 1, 2026.

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.

Statewide Water Association Scholarships

Association of California Water Agencies Scholarships for Undergrads and Grad Students

The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) offers three undergraduate scholarships, two graduate 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, 2026. Application Link. For questions, call 916-441-4545 or email .

American Water Works Association Scholarships

The American Water Works Association offers scholarships for graduate and undergraduate studies.

The American Water Works Association offers scholarships for graduate and undergraduate studies.

The California-Nevada section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) awards more than $20,000 in scholarships in support of students and professionals pursuing careers in a drinking water-related field. Three $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, 2026. Application Link. For information, call 909-481-7200 or email 

Water Education Foundation For Graduate Students

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. The scholarship 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.

Undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields can also explore careers in water through the InFLOW STEMpath Track program, which introduces them to water industry careers through virtual education and an annual conference. Learn more on the program webpage.

Deadline: March 31, 2026. Apply online here. For questions, email

With approximately 1,400 water and wastewater jobs expected to open up 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

 

 

 

Ramona Water District Directors Looking at Increasing Staff and Eliminating Sewer Rate Increase

/in , , /by /Ramona Sentinelby Julie Gallant

Ramona Municipal Water District directors will review the 2021-22 budget over the next month to decide, among other things, if the district should hire more staff and follow through on sewer rate increases.

Although the water district directors approved the budget in June 2020 as part of a two-year budget package, they will consider making updates based on staffing impacts from General Manager David Barnum’s retirement earlier this year and the decision to phase out the untreated water system to save the district $42 million in deferred maintenance costs and $1.2 million in annual maintenance costs.

Full Story
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sam Pacheco is one of 15 Helix Water District employees who are military veterans. Photo: Water Authority Veterans Day

Veterans Day Salute to San Diego Water Industry Vets

/in , /by

Many of the San Diego region’s 4,500 water and wastewater workers are military veterans. The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies are recognizing those veteran water industry professionals this week in honor of Veterans Day.

One of those water industry employees with a military background is Sam Pacheco, a field service representative with the Helix Water District. Pacheco served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. He ended his career at MCAS Miramar in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting, as an on-base firefighter. Along with Veterans Day, Pacheco is celebrating the 245th birthday of the Marine Corps (November 10).

Public service a tradition

“When I got to serve in the military, I got to serve the folks of this country,” said Pacheco. “Now that I work for the Helix Water District, I do the same thing, serving the people of the community. It’s as gratifying. When I think about serving the public on a different level, I still get to do it now for Helix.”

Helix Water District has 15 military veterans on its staff. Board President Mark Gracyk served as an enlisted engineer in the U.S. Army, and Division 1 Director Dan McMillan served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a company commander in the California National Guard.

Water and wastewater careers draw on military experience

Veteran Sam Pacheco said he gets a second opportunity to serve his community in his job with the Helix Water District. Photo: Water Authority

Veteran Sam Pacheco said he gets a second opportunity to serve his community in his job with the Helix Water District. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

When Pacheco retired from the Marine Corps in 2011, he worked in the heating and air conditioning industry.

“I started working at Lake Jennings part-time,” said Pacheco. “A meter reader job became available and I thought, “‘I like exercise, I like being outside all day, that sounds like a job for me.”’

He became a full-time employee in March 2018.

Military to civilian employment

Pacheco said it is common for veterans to struggle to find civilian employment and it was true for him.

“This was the biggest transition going from the military to civilian employment, finding someone just as professional as the military,” he said. “Helix runs a very professional outfit. The caliber of people at the District, the work tempo, the expectations, the standards expected. I couldn’t have gotten luckier. It’s a big blessing for me.”

Pacheco appreciates the organization and high standards for water industry employees.

“When you come from something like the Marine Corps for 20 years, you are used to having all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed,” he said. “The way Helix takes care of business and runs the district, for me I don’t ever have to worry ‘has someone taken care of this or thought about it?’ I’m really impressed.”

Credit for military experience

The San Diego County Water Authority has co-sponsored state legislation in recent years to create and expedite career pathways and encourage veterans to consider careers within the water industry after serving their country. An effort by the Water Authority and its member agencies helped pass legislation that gives credit to veterans for their military experience when transitioning to the water and wastewater industry.

Signed into law in 2019, Assembly Bill 1588 requires the State of California recognize the experience and education veterans acquire while they are in the military for its operator certification program for water and wastewater treatment plants and water distribution systems.