In 2010, the Brevard (County) Public Schools launched the Environmental Studies – Water Resources Technology (ESWRT) Program at Heritage High School to encourage young minds to consider a career in utilities and provide them with access to job opportunities within the industry. This collaborative effort engaged partners from the city of Palm Bay Utilities and Human Resources Departments; Lake City Community College, Florida; and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Local education and utility industry experts, along with professionals from regulatory agencies, developed a unique program of study to provide these students a path to obtain a Level C industry credentialed water and/or wastewater license. To date, there are no secondary educational programs in the United States offering high school students the benefits and opportunities inherent in this program of study. The ESWRT Program is a unique three-to-four year program focusing on water technologies, water resources, storm water, water treatment and conservation.

It is anticipated that this initiative will help produce the next generation of high-quality, trained, and environmentally-focused employees who are working to improve the environment, conserve natural resources, preserve our drinking water, and mitigate the challenges of wastewater treatment. Graduates of this program will be prepared and positioned to make informed decisions and choices concerning a wide range of environmental career fields. Graduates will enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills to solve broad-based environmental challenges to sustain the nation’s natural resources and quality of life within
their local communities.