Katy ISD’s First Water Operator Licensing Graduates Step Into Careers Protecting Texas’ Future Water Supply
As communities across Katy, Fulshear, West Houston, and Fort Bend County continue expanding at a rapid pace, the pressure on water infrastructure systems continues to grow alongside them. Now, less than a year after Katy Independent School District launched its groundbreaking Water Operator Licensing Program with Inframark, the initiative is already producing results that extend far beyond the classroom.
The program’s first graduating class has officially completed the Katy ISD Water Operator Licensing Program through Raines Academy, marking a milestone not only for the students involved, but for the future of workforce development and water infrastructure across Texas.
Even more notably, fifteen students have already earned full-time employment offer letters, while three additional students will participate in summer internships before heading to college this fall — a remarkable outcome for a program still in its inaugural year.
For families throughout the region, the success of the program represents something larger than career training alone. It highlights a growing shift toward practical, career-connected education pathways that allow students to graduate with industry certifications, hands-on experience, and direct access to stable, meaningful careers without necessarily following a traditional four-year path first.
Wendy Duncan, Account Manager at Inframark, reflected on the broader significance of the moment.
“What started as an innovative idea to address the growing workforce needs in the water industry has now become a reality that is changing lives and building futures.”
A Program Designed Around a Growing Regional Need
When Katy ISD first announced the Water Operations Licensing Program for Fall 2025, the initiative stood out as one of the region’s more forward-thinking Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings.
Developed in partnership with Inframark — one of the nation’s leading providers of water and wastewater infrastructure operations — the program was created to address a growing shortage of licensed water operators across Texas and the United States.
Students enrolled through Katy ISD’s Raines Academy participated in a two-semester curriculum combining classroom instruction with real-world field experience at active water facilities. Coursework focused on public health, water treatment systems, infrastructure operations, sustainability, laboratory procedures, and environmental stewardship.
The partnership also gave students direct exposure to one of the most essential industries supporting daily life in fast-growing communities like Katy and West Houston.
“Through the partnership between Inframark and Katy ISD’s Raines Academy, these students are graduating with real-world skills, industry training, and a direct pathway into meaningful careers that protect one of our most vital resources, clean water.”
For many residents, water infrastructure remains largely invisible until something goes wrong — whether that means service interruptions, boil water notices, flooding issues, or strained utility systems during rapid development. Behind the scenes, licensed operators play a critical role in maintaining public health, environmental compliance, and reliable access to clean drinking water.
As the Greater Houston region continues adding residents at one of the fastest rates in the country, the need for trained professionals in water operations is expected to rise substantially in the coming years.
Workforce Development With Immediate Community Impact
The success of the inaugural graduating class also reflects a broader conversation happening across Texas about workforce readiness and the future of public infrastructure careers.
Unlike many educational tracks that delay workforce entry, Katy ISD’s Water Operator Licensing Program was intentionally designed to create immediate opportunities for students after graduation.
At the time of launch, entry-level positions in water operations were projected to offer starting salaries around $43,600, with significant advancement potential after gaining licensing and field experience. Students also benefited from paid internships and licensing support while still enrolled in high school.
Duncan described the initiative as a model that could shape future education-to-career partnerships across the state.
“This program is more than a class. It is a model for the future of workforce development.”
The collaborative effort behind the program involved educators, certified instructors, utility professionals, industry advocates, and community leaders who spent years working to bring water operator training opportunities into high schools and community colleges.
Duncan specifically thanked Russell Piper and Mark Landreneau for their leadership, alongside instructors Richard Steadman, Roel “Roy” Garcia, Quan Alfred, and Bruce Dubiel. She also recognized Todd Glover for serving as the certified teacher present in every class, along with Todd Burrer and Bill Callegari for years of advocacy supporting water operator education initiatives.
Additional recognition was given to Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski, Dr. Bell, and Katy ISD trustees Rebecca Fox and Lance Redmon for supporting the partnership and helping launch the program.
Students Become the First of What Could Be a Much Larger Movement
For the students themselves, graduating from the inaugural class carries a unique distinction. They are not simply program participants — they are the first group to help define what the program may become for future Katy ISD students.
“To the very first class of graduates: you are pioneers.”
That pioneering role may ultimately have ripple effects far beyond Katy ISD.
Regional organizations including the West Houston Association have repeatedly emphasized that long-term growth across suburban Houston depends not only on expanding infrastructure, but also on building the workforce needed to operate and maintain it. Water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, stormwater management infrastructure, and environmental compliance operations all require skilled professionals to function safely and effectively.
Programs like Katy ISD’s Water Operator Licensing Program offer a rare example of education, industry, and community planning aligning around a shared long-term need.
For local families, it also creates another reminder that some of the region’s most important future careers may not always follow traditional paths — especially in industries tied directly to public health, sustainability, and community resilience.
As the first graduating class steps into internships, careers, and continuing education opportunities, the success of the program is already becoming a point of pride not just for the students involved, but for the broader Katy community helping shape the next generation of essential infrastructure professionals.
Residents can stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for future updates on Katy ISD workforce development programs, education initiatives, and infrastructure news impacting the West Houston region.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.