WaterWorks

Welcome to WaterWorks

Developing the New Generation of Workforce for Water and Wastewater Utilities

Looking toward the future, the United States faces a looming issue with aging water infrastructure. Combined with an aging workforce and a lack of new employees, current projections show that the U.S. may face more water-related crises due to worker shortages, aging infrastructure, and external factors like climate change.

WaterWorks is a collaborative research effort from several engineering departments at Rowan University, and is developed with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of WaterWorks is to raise awareness about employment opportunities in the wastewater treatment sector. Using K-12 educational programs, WaterWorks aims to provide outreach and improved student education in topics related to wastewater treatment, water utility work, and water infrastructure.

Beyond outreach, WaterWorks also aims to improve the preparation of students in environmental engineering and topics related to water jobs. With our varied and accessible curriculum and novel educational approaches, WaterWorks also moves toward curricula and lessons that are more accessible to underrepresented minorities in STEM. In collaboration with several local schools, WaterWorks’ educational technologies, lesson plans, and interactive student materials are student-tested and educator approved.

For educators, WaterWorks offers easy-to-use educational mobile apps and ready-made educational activities to help teach concepts and engage students. WaterWorks also offers ready-built curricula to use our provided tools.

WaterWorks Team

The WaterWorks team consists of a variety of multi-disciplinary experts.

WaterWorks Activities

WaterWorks is a package of tools and lessons to assist educators and to help expose students to potential careers in water/wastewater utilities work.

Careers in Water & Wastewater Utilities

Whether you have a high school diploma or a graduate degree, there is a job opportunity for you.

WaterWorks Partners

partners

WaterWorks marks an innovative partnership between Rowan University, Camden City School District (CCSD), and other established orgranziations in Camden. Below are our four partners:

South Jersey Land and Water Trust (SJLWT)

Camden City School District (CCSD)

American Water

Camden County Municipalities Authority (CCMUA)

Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA)

Media

USEPA Press Release Rowan University Press Release

Our award-winning USEPA funded WaterWorks: Attracting a Diverse Workforce project video

Publications & Presentations

Publications

Kauser Jahan, Ning Wang, Nicholas Matarazzo, Marc Ignarri, Jonatha Bell, Genna Brunetta, Patrick Marshall, Ryan Petzitillo "WaterMoblie & WaterTalk - Teaching K-12 Students about Water through Hands-on Experimentation (PDF)", Proceedings of the IEEE EDUCON Conference, Tunisia(March 2022)

Jahan, K.,Y. Tang and J. E. Ahn (2023) Innovative Outreach for Careers in the Water and Wastewater Utilities, Proceedings of the 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore, Maryland June 26-28, 2023

Jahan, K., Y. Tang and J. E. Ahn (2023) Waterworks: An exciting venture to promote careers in water/wastewater utilities, Proceedings of the 2023 ASEE Mid Atlantic Spring Conference, Penn State University, College Park, PA. March 30-April 1, 2023

Poster and Podium Presentations at the 2023 ASEE Mid Atlantic Spring Conference, Penn State University, College Park, PA. March 30-April 1, 2023

Kauser Jahan in front of posters Kauser Jahan making presentation

Poster Presentations

Tang, Y., K. Jahan, N. Wang “WaterPal WaterTalk: Activities to promote careers in the water/wastewater Utilities”, Poster, for the 2023 ASEE Mid Atlantic Spring Conference, Penn State University, College Park, PA. March 30-April 1, 2023.

WaterWorks: An Innovative Program to Attract Workforce for Water/Wastewater Utilities, 2023 Annual NJWEA Conference, 3^rd prize Student Poster Competition