Katy ISD Launches Water Operations Licensing Program with Inframark for Fall 2025
As Katy and the Greater Houston area continue to grow, so too does the need for forward-thinking infrastructure and a skilled workforce to maintain it. In response to this regional challenge, Katy Independent School District is rolling out a new Water Operations Licensing Program in Fall 2025 — a career and technical education (CTE) initiative in partnership with Inframark, one of the nation’s leading providers of water infrastructure management services.
Building a Pipeline of Clean Water Professionals
Offered through Course Code 8125: Practicum in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, this two-semester program blends classroom learning with real-world experience in the booming water operations industry.
The fall semester will focus on the foundational role of clean water in public health, agriculture, animal science, and wildlife conservation. By spring, students will step into the field with paid internships at active water facilities, supported by Inframark professionals.
Graduates will be prepared to pursue roles in water treatment, system operations and maintenance, laboratory analysis, and field services — industries expected to see growing demand as Texas’ population is projected to surge from 30 million to 52 million in the coming decades.
Career-Ready Out of High School
With entry-level water operations jobs offering starting salaries around $43,600 and advancement potential exceeding $66,500 within five years, the program opens a high-value pathway for Katy ISD students to launch careers immediately after graduation.
Paid internships while enrolled offer additional income and experience, and licensing test fees are fully covered by Katy ISD. This approach not only builds student readiness, but also strengthens regional infrastructure capacity.
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Industry employers like Inframark offer a range of benefits to early-career professionals, including:
- Paid internships and overtime
- 401(k) retirement plans
- Health insurance
- Paid vacation
Inframark: A High-Tech, National Leader in Water Services
Headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania with a corporate office in Katy, Inframark currently operates over 550 water and wastewater treatment systems in more than 30 states, employing approximately 3,300 professionals and managing facilities that treat over one billion gallons daily.
A key part of the company’s success is its investment in innovation. Through its proprietary WaterMinds® platform, Inframark uses real-time analytics, machine learning, and digital dashboards to help utility systems proactively manage water treatment, compliance, and performance.
This hands-on partnership with Katy ISD brings students into a real-world environment where technology, sustainability, and public health converge — offering a rare opportunity to work directly alongside professionals in one of the most essential and future-focused industries in Texas.
A Vision Shared by the West Houston Association
This program doesn’t just answer the needs of Katy ISD — it addresses a broader regional imperative. According to the West Houston Association (WHA), an organization that promotes quality growth through strategic planning and collaboration among public and private sectors, sustainable infrastructure and workforce development are critical to ensuring the Houston region can thrive amid rapid population expansion.
WHA President and CEO Alan Steinberg has emphasized the importance of connecting education, business, and infrastructure planning. The organization’s “Thriving Together” blueprint identifies workforce readiness, utility service delivery, and regional mobility as cornerstones for long-term community resilience.
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According to the West Houston Association, much of the region’s future growth will occur in unincorporated and suburban areas — such as Katy and northern Fort Bend County — where utility systems often struggle to keep pace with development. Without coordinated investment in infrastructure and skilled workers to operate and maintain those systems, communities risk facing water shortages, service disruptions, and reduced quality of life.
In this context, Katy ISD’s new Water Operations Licensing Program serves as a forward-thinking solution. By training students for immediate roles in water system operations, the district is directly contributing to the kind of workforce pipeline WHA believes is necessary for sustainable regional growth.
The WHA also notes that infrastructure is only part of the equation — people are the other. Programs like this help ensure that as West Houston’s physical footprint expands, so does its human capacity to manage and support critical systems.
How to Get Started
Interested students can complete the Program Information Request Form at this link to be contacted by a school counselor. Enrollment details will be announced soon.
Whether you're interested in science, sustainability, or simply want a stable, well-paying job right after high school, the Water Operations Licensing Program can be a gateway into a career that truly makes a difference.
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.
