Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Professionals Week

In 2023, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed Oct. 16-23 as Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Professionals Week. The date of this proclamation encompasses “Imagine A Day Without Water,” on Oct. 19, which is an annual event to bring awareness to the importance of investing in our water infrastructure, and the anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which is on Oct. 18.

This proclamation was the result of an effort spearheaded by Johnson County Wastewater. Johnson County Stormwater, Olathe Water and WaterOne. Working together, they secured the proclamation in fall 2023.

Water is essential for all life, and the work of providing clean water for drinking, recreation and wildlife is entrusted to dedicated and skilled professionals. Because these experts do such an exceptional job in Johnson County, and around the state, residents trust the quality of the water they drink, swim in, or that flows through their local rivers, streams, and lakes. The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Professionals Week proclamation acknowledges the essential work of all those who choose to lend their talents to the mission of clean, safe water.

This event will be celebrated each year from Oct. 16-23 by organizations across Kansas to recognize the amazing work of water professionals.

How to Celebrate

Who can participate?

Any person or organization can participate! This week is a celebration of water. Water makes life possible on our planet, so this is a celebration for all!

You can do something as small as refer a friend or family member to the careers page for your local drinking water, wastewater or stormwater organization to encourage them to consider a career in the water sector, or you participate by engaging in one of the many activities listed on this page.

Johnson County-area water sector careers:

Social Media

Use social media to share how you are showing appreciation for water, wastewater and stormwater professionals in your area! 

Follow your drinking water, wastewater or stormwater organization on social media and engage with content that highlights and celebrates water professions.

Local Proclamations and Resolutions

Proclamations

At the bottom of this page, you will find the full text of the governor's resolution. You can use that as a starting point to draft a proclamation for your own city/town council or Board of County Commissioners. If you are an organization in the water sector, you can change it to explain more about the particular work your staff specialize in.

Resolutions

Resolutions are more formal than a proclamation and may be a good avenue if your governing body wants to show strong support for initiatives that support water sector employees. It is recommended that you put together a team locally to work on requesting a resolution that can address your community's specific needs around water and workforce development in the water sector.

Events

You can host an original event, or you can sign up to participate in a local event coordinated by your drinking water, wastewater or stormwater organizations. For example, you can create a team and sign up for the Tower 2 Tower 5K from WaterOne!

Schools

There is an unlimited number of ways to engage students!

  • Schedule a tour of a wastewater treatment facility.
  • Invite a speaker from wastewater or another local drinking water, wastewater or stormwater organization in your area to come present to your classroom.
  • Sign up your 6th grade class for a FREE ‘I Love Tap’ water program from WaterOne
  • Encourage schools and sports groups to use tap by supplying water coolers, diffusers, and more!
  • Send a card to your local water sector organizations expressing appreciation for their work.
  • Invite water sector organizations to your career fairs.

Water Professionals

This is a week to celebrate the amazing work your staff do all year round. Here are a few fun ways to show your appreciation:

  • Staff appreciation events
  • Give staff reusable water bottles and other useful gift items
  • Create videos and articles highlighting your team members and workgroups
  • Each day of the week, feature different workgroups on your social media pages
  • Provide lunches/breakfasts for staff members
  • And more!

How are you celebrating? Let us know!

Share Your Ideas!

Contact Melissa Reeves at Johnson County Wastewater to share how your organization is celebrating Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Professionals Week!

Proclamation

Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Professionals Week Proclamation

Proclamation issued by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly

TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, clean water is essential to human life and the vitality of Kansas communities; and

WHEREAS, water professionals are charged with protecting public health and safety through the leadership and operation of public utilities; and

WHEREAS, due to the dedication of water professionals, the public can trust that tap water is safe, delicious, high quality, convenient, and an excellent value; and

WHEREAS, wastewater professionals ensure that all water used by the community and returned to nature through rivers, lakes, and streams is purified from disease-causing pathogens and pollutants that would be harmful to public health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, stormwater professionals protect public safety through the prevention of flooding and empower the public to protect water sources through local and upstream watershed management; and

WHEREAS, water, wastewater, and stormwater professionals plan for, maintain, and operate the infrastructure, facilities, and services that are vital to ensuring resilient communities, a high quality of life, and the well-being of all Kansans; and

WHEREAS, communities rely on water, wastewater, and stormwater professionals to continuously ensure reliable and responsive utility services at all times, including extreme weather events; and

WHEREAS, Kansas’ water, wastewater, and stormwater professionals include certified operators; maintenance personnel; laboratory teams; drinking water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater maintenance crews; industrial pretreatment personnel; engineers; and many other dedicated specialists with expertise in customer relations, finance, legal, strategic communications, safety and security, information technology, skilled trades, human resources, custodial, administrative and executive leadership functions; and

WHEREAS, professional careers in the water utility sector present equitable employment opportunities inclusive of all Kansans to meaningfully contribute to the mission of these service organizations.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Laura Kelly, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim Oct. 16-23, 2023 as

WATER, WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER PROFESSIONALS WEEK in Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in this observation.