On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Santee Cooper will join elected officials, water utilities, community leaders, educators and businesses from across the country as part of the fifth annual Imagine a Day Without Water, a nationwide day of education and advocacy about the value of water.
Led by the Value of Water Campaign, approximately 1,000 organizations across the country will raise awareness about not taking water for granted and the crucial need for investment in our nation’s water systems. A part of that investment includes educating students about the job opportunities in the industry. Santee Cooper will host more than 80 students from Berkeley County high schools at the Santee Cooper Regional Water System to teach them about the water treatment process and job skills needed to produce safe drinking water.
“In the next three to five years, 50% of water and wastewater treatment operators are eligible to retire. Finding qualified operators is going to become more challenging,” said Brian Lynch, Santee Cooper’s manager of environmental resources and water systems. “We’re looking forward to working with Berkeley high schools to create internships for those who are interested in pursuing careers in the industry.”
Radhika Fox, CEO of the US Water Alliance and director of the Value of Water Campaign, said: “We're thrilled that Santee Cooper is a part of Imagine a Day Without Water. This national day of action educates our neighbors and public officials about the essential role water plays in all of our lives. Most Americans have enjoyed clean, safe, reliable water service for very low costs for generations. But the infrastructure and service it takes to bring water to our homes and businesses and take it away is not free and can’t be taken for granted. We all need to educate ourselves about where our water comes from and the investment these critical systems need.”
Imagine a Day Without Water is an opportunity for diverse organizations, from environmental advocates to coffee shops, aquariums to car washes, and city halls to water utilities, to promote the many ways water is important to them. Learn more at imagineadaywithoutwater.org and follow the conversation on social media at #ValueWater.
Santee Cooper is South Carolina's largest power provider, the largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.
SCBIZtv is part of the SC Biz News family, serving 100,000 high-level business execs throughout South Carolina.
Click for more from SCBIZtv.
