In 2019, the Altamonte Springs Science Incubator (AS2I), Seminole County Public Schools and Lake Brantley High School launched Project H2O Tx (Project Water Technology), a collaborative program that offered high school seniors a blend of coursework and hands-on learning in water resource management, wastewater treatment process control and facility operations.
To address the growing workforce shortage caused by retiring operators and support the development of skilled technicians, the City provided hands-on training at the Altamonte Springs Regional Water Reclamation Facility (ASRWRF), an award-winning plant capable of treating up to 12 million gallons of wastewater per day. Working with Seminole County Public Schools ePathways and Lake Brantley High School, AS2I designed a program that prepared students for in-demand careers in water and wastewater management.
The curriculum combined classroom instruction with practical experience, giving students insight into treatment processes, plant operations, safety, maintenance, laboratory procedures and reporting. Course content is aligned with industry roles, equipping students with the knowledge needed to apply for entry-level positions upon graduating from high school.
Students also received rigorous test preparation and onsite training at the ASRWRF to help them complete the Sacramento State Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants exams, qualifying them to take the FDEP Level C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator state exam. The program contributed 300 of the 2,080 hours required for the state license and was provided at no cost, allowing students to enter the workforce with a significant advantage.
Over five years, 34 students completed the program, earning high school credit and achieving a 100 percent pass rate in its final year. Twelve graduates secured industry employment immediately after passing the state exam, underscoring the program’s effectiveness in cultivating a job-ready workforce. Participants emerged with critical skills, valuable hands-on experience and a passion for careers in environmental science and water resource management.
With its success proven and industry staffing needs significantly addressed, the pilot program concluded at the end of the 2024 school year—marking a major milestone in building a skilled pipeline for the wastewater treatment field.
