Ripple Effect Initiative
The Kings Water Alliance (KWA) is proud to announce the Ripple Effect Initiative—a community-driven effort focused on helping to ensure safe drinking water and a strong local water workforce for generations to come. Through this initiative, KWA will map water projects, jobs, and training programs across rural Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties to create a clear path toward water security and economic opportunity.
We are not only focused on safeguarding local water supplies, but also to grow a thriving water workforce that valley communities can depend on.
Ripple Effect Survey
Kings Water Alliance (KWA), in partnership with the California Water Institute at Fresno State, is inviting water sector professionals and partners across Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties to participate in a new survey designed to help address urgent challenges facing rural California’s water systems, including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages and unclear or hard-to-access career pathways.
The survey is part of KWA’s Ripple Effect Initiative, an effort focused on building a clearer, coordinated roadmap for water and workforce resilience across the Central Valley. Working with the California Water Institute at Fresno State, KWA is gathering input from utilities, nonprofits, training institutions, and water agency employers across the Central Valley to better understand what employers and communities need now—and what will be needed in the years ahead.
If you work in the water sector, or support it through education, training, or workforce development,
we’d truly value your perspective by taking this survey:
Why now?
As some of the Valley’s most experienced water professionals are retiring, there is a growing need to transfer the knowledge, skills, and passion to a new generation of water leaders and workforce.
The Ripple Effect Initiative is designed to:
Identify and promote
water-focused jobs
with clear and rewarding
career pathways.
Connect training and education programs
with real workforce opportunities.
Close the knowledge gap
in the water sector workforce created by an ageing population & workforce.
Support rural communities in shaping the future of their own water supply
with an inventory of projects, jobs, and programs that match local needs.
Mission
To collect insight into the structure and skills required to future-proof the water sector workforce—ensuring rural communities can manage their own water quality and supply for generations to come.
Vision
All Central Valley communities have the knowledge and workforce capacity to manage their own water quality and supply.
The Ripple Effect Initiative will require collaboration and insight from different sectors:
Sierra San Joaquin Jobs (S2J2) Initiative
In March 2024, the Sierra San Joaquin Jobs (S2J2) Initiative launched a Catalyst Request for Proposals to identify transformative projects across a four-county region. More than 50 applications were submitted, totaling over $70 million in requested funding.
After extensive review, only eight projects were awarded—including The Ripple Effect Initiative led by Kings Water Alliance. These projects will drive equitable growth, economic mobility, and environmental stewardship across the Central Valley.
Want to get Involved?
The Ripple Effect Initiative is just getting started, and we want you to be part of this effort. If you are interested in participating, supporting, promoting, or staying current on project updates, please email info@kingswateralliance.org