— from Paul Kamin for Eastsound Water Users Association —
There is a shortage of water system operators nationwide as a large number of today’s operators are nearing retirement age. Orcas Island is certainly experiencing this shortage. Eastsound Water has attempted to address this issue by offering a free training course for prospective water system operators.
Thirteen participants are nearing completion of this 16 hour course. The curriculum had two focuses. The first was to share what working in the water industry is like as a career. The second was to expose participants to how water systems work. This included how to operate them with a focus on reliability and public health; and the processes, parts and tools that are part of the job. Then there was the math session, too. There is no shortage of numbers associated with operating a water system.
The course was free to participants thanks to financial support from Eastsound Water, Doe Bay Water, and Olga Water. Orcas Christian School kindly provided access to a classroom for the course, and the San Juan County Economic Development Council provided administrative support.
Orcas water systems in need of operator services can contact Paul Kamin at Eastsound Water if they wish to share potential job openings with the course participants.
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