Webcast Series Description:
Co-created by WEF and Raftelis, the Workforce Development Case Study Series: Building the Future Water Workforce is a dynamic initiative spotlighting innovative workforce strategies from water and wastewater utilities across the United States. Through monthly webcasts from December 2025 to March 2026, the series will showcase small, medium, and large utilities implementing best practices in recruitment, retention, technology integration, and leadership development. Each webcast will feature real-world case studies and utility leaders sharing actionable insights to help build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforces. The series will culminate in a recognition event and leadership roundtable at the Utility Management Conference in March 2026, fostering peer exchange and collaboration across the sector.
Tell us which utilities to feature! Please nominate utilities who are doing impactful and innovative efforts in these areas via our online submission form: https://forms.office.com/r/cveTXnxgLS
Webcast Session Description:
Utilities across the country are under increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources. This session will explore how leading utilities are using technology and AI to strengthen workforce performance, increase operational efficiency, and build long-term resilience. Utility leaders will showcase how utilities are integrating artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics into maintenance planning, staffing decisions, and day-to-day operations, delivering real, measurable workforce improvements.
Panelists:
- Amber Boone, General Manager, South Orange County Wastewater Authority
- Jeff Sparks, Director of Digital Water, Hampton Roads Sanitation District
- Satish Tripathi, Managing Engineer, Houston Water
- Jackie Jarrell (session facilitator), Principal Consultant, Raftelis
- Laura Herman (session facilitator), Sr. Director of Workforce Development, WEF
