How Broadband Can Deliver Clean Water and Tackle Workforce Shortages

Christine Hallquist is the Executive Director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board. A Burlington resident, she was the Democratic nominee for Vermont governor in 2018 and was CEO of the Vermont Electric Cooperative for 13 years. 

Tee Thomas is the CEO of Quantified Ventures, a certified woman-owned enterprise and a B Corporation that is a national leader in implementing innovative funding and financing strategies for climate, health, and social impact. She lives in Central Vermont. 

When you think of water infrastructure, what comes to mind? Most of us think of pipes, water treatment plants, and reservoirs. But there’s an essential ingredient that many people miss: reliable fiber optic internet. 

Broadband internet and water systems may seem like an odd pairing, but they’re inseparable when it comes to tackling the challenges Vermont faces today. Aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and the growing impacts of climate change demand smarter, more efficient solutions.  

Broadband is the backbone that makes those solutions possible. With fiber optic data connections, we can modernize and adapt Vermont’s water systems. From smart technologies that detect leaks to cloud-based tools that manage stormwater, reliable broadband is key to clean water and climate resilience.  

Images courtesy of the Vermont Community Broadband Board

Attracting a New Workforce  

Vermont faces a workforce shortage in almost every field. The water sector is no exception. Most of our water operators have been on the job since the 1980s. According to the EPA, a third of our water operators are set to retire in the next decade, creating a massive labor gap.  

As this silver tsunami is poised to create skill gaps in Vermont, especially in rural communities, a new approach to the future workforce is needed.  

The next generation of workers expects tech-forward jobs. These digital natives want innovation, not to be outside searching for broken pipes in the middle of the night. By leveraging broadband, the water sector can shift its image to high-tech, attracting talent we desperately need.  

Broadband modernizes water systems via smart sensors and real-time data, making systems easier and more efficient to manage. It also allows for remote training and operations, meaning even the most rural towns can attract and train new workers. Additionally, this technology helps communities like Newport, VT, operate with fewer staff while still offering clean, affordable water.  

Climate Change Is Throwing Punches and Broadband Will Help Us Fight Back 

Climate change is here. Increasingly powerful floods, droughts, and storms are slamming Vermont and exacting revenge on all of our systems, including our water infrastructure. As these storms become stronger and more frequent, there has been a significant increase in combined sewer overflows (CSOs), resulting in wastewater flowing into rivers and lakes. Combined sewer systems collect stormwater runoff, sewage, and industrial wastewater into one pipe. During normal times, these systems move all the wastewater to a treatment plant. But with the stronger storms caused by climate change, the amount of stormwater runoff far exceeds the capacity of the system. This means untreated stormwater and wastewater flows into rivers and lakes, closing them for public use and threatening the health of people, animals, and the environment. 

Let’s take the City of Rutland, VT, as an example. Separating Rutland’s CSOs would cost $150 million. That’s an insurmountable price tag. Instead, Rutland pursued two strategies in tandem: green infrastructure to soak up some of the water like a sponge before it causes sewer overflows and smart technology.  

Smart technology relies on connected sensors throughout the water system. During high rain events, these sensors redirect water to different areas of the system to avoid overflow and can alert utilities and residents to flood risks or water contamination. Until the City can separate all the sewers from the stormwater drains, this technology reduces the contaminants being discharged and makes water rates more affordable by reducing operating costs. Integrating broadband into water infrastructure paves the way for adopting smart water technologies and improving efficiency.  

Reliable Broadband is No Longer Optional 

So, what’s the catch? Reliable broadband is an absolute requirement for smart technology. No broadband means no real-time water infrastructure monitoring, no predictive maintenance, and no centralized management.  

And there is only one technology that can meet the demands: fiber optic networks. It is quite easy and inexpensive to run fiber through an existing water or sewer line, plus fiber optic is the most reliable technology. 

These days, Vermont’s public works and towns, like many across the country, are facing never-ending “do more with less” scenarios. They’re stretched thin, juggling too many tasks with too little money, and they’re looking for affordable ways to handle essential infrastructure needs. Municipalities can use these tools to save money and make the best bang-for-the-buck decisions. 

With broadband, communities can:  

• Install connected sensors to alert utilities and residents to flood risks or water contamination events.  

• Reduce energy consumption through real-time monitoring and improvement, contributing to broader climate goals. 

• Conduct real-time monitoring via smart meters and sensors, helping utilities detect leaks, track water quality, and minimize waste.  

• Use predictive maintenance to address infrastructure issues proactively and avoid costly emergency repairs.  

• Operate facilities remotely, reducing on-site staffing needs and operational costs.  

Broadband is no longer optional. It’s foundational. As affordability becomes an even greater concern, broadband offers a transformative solution to modernize water systems, enhance efficiency, and bridge urban-rural divides.