Pouring Into the Next Generation

Behind every clean, safe drop of water that comes from your tap is the dedicated team of Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) professionals working hard to keep your water system and infrastructure reliable and running smoothly. The water industry is one of the most essential — and often overlooked — components of public infrastructure. It’s powered by skilled and hardworking individuals in a variety of professions from water operators and engineers to water quality specialists, finance experts, maintenance teams and more.

Like many industries across the country, the water industry is facing a unique workforce challenge: a generational shift known as the “silver tsunami.” This trend refers to the increasing number of baby boomers reaching retirement age.

Across the U.S., nearly one-third of the water industry workforce is expected to retire in the next decade, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and industry studies. Many of these workers hold highly specialized roles — operators, engineers and field staff who have spent decades building institutional knowledge that can’t be replaced overnight.

At the same time, only about 10% of water industry workers are under age 24, and fewer young people are entering the field, according to a study by Brookings. This means many utilities are facing a double challenge: filling critical roles and bridging a growing skills gap in a younger workforce.

This growing need to inspire and prepare the next generation of water professionals was one of the driving forces to create the Mesa Water Education Center. The Center welcomes learners of all ages — from fifth graders discovering the fundamentals of water and the unique urban water system in north Orange County, to high school and college groups exploring hands-on lab demonstrations, career pathways and real-world applications of water management. The unique space is designed to spark curiosity, support STEM learning and provide insight into the many careers that keep our water systems running smoothly.

Now booking tours and field trips for 2026 at the Mesa Water Education Center. To inquire, email Info@MesaWater.org or call 949.631.1201.