wateronline.com n Water Innovations
Hopes And
Fears For Our
Water Legacy
EDITOR'S LETTER
By Kevin Westerling
Chief Editor, editor@wateronline.com
6
I
n early October, I covered the annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and
Conference (WEFTEC) for Water Online, as I have for the past nine years. That makes me a mere rookie
relative to most of the attendees, and yet I'm an industry veteran to many others. This age disparity is a
major talking point in the water industry, and it took center stage at WEFTEC17.
The concern is that the workforce, particularly water/wastewater treatment plant operators,
skews older and is set to retire at a higher rate over the next decade than the national average
compared to other industries. Some have termed it "brain drain," referring to the institutional
knowledge that goes out the door as retirees hang up their hard hats. So how does that
knowledge get transferred to the next generation of operators? How do we attract young people
to the cause and vocation of water stewardship at a time when water issues are more critical than
ever? And are they ready for the challenge?
The hopes and fears of water professionals of all ages were on display — literally — at
WEFTEC17, in the midst of Chicago's McCormick Place concourse. Attendees were asked
"What is your hope for your Water Legacy?" as well as "What is your greatest fear around your
Water Legacy?" These simple questions summoned responses that reflect all that is good and
worrisome about our industry and must have been an especially emotional exercise for those
just embarking on a career or leaving one behind. The ballot-box responses were artistically
rendered onto a giant chalkboard, creating an enlightening collage that developed as the
show progressed.
The world's largest annual water quality event provides the setting for a
public display of water affection — and anxiety.
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