What is the Summit?
Each year, approximately 150 Georgia high school students from 7+ local high schools attend the Student Water Innovation and Leadership Summit on at The Water Tower campus to learn how they can “Make a Splash” with a career in the water industry.
How does the Summit prepare students for future careers?
The summit is part of The Water Tower’s broader mission to attract, train and place the next generation of water workers in positions to support Georgia water utilities. Currently, there are an estimated 1,200 open water jobs in the Atlanta Metro Area alone. Water utilities across the U.S. are projected to lose up to 50 percent of operations staff in the next five to 10 years. The summit is designed to spread awareness of the wide array of career opportunities the water industry has to offer.
What types of activities do students participate in at the Summit?
Students (grades 9-12) engage with speakers from water-related businesses and organizations and experience hands-on learning about water career opportunities, including treatment plant operations, water sampling and lab analysis, pipe system design and engineering, stream restoration, wildlife assessment, robotics in water and more. Students also have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in leadership, communication, strategic thinking, team building, and networking.
How can I get a copy of the Summit program?
The September 2025 Student Water Innovation and Leadership Summit Program will be available soon. In the meantime, download the 2023 Student Water Innovation & Leadership Summit Program.
How do I register my students to attend the Summit?
Teachers interested in joining the student summit waitlist may contact kaitlyn@theh2otower.org. We will be opening registration for the Fall 2025 Student Summit (date to be confirmed) in August 2025.
Support the Summit
There are many ways to support the 2024 Student Water Innovation & Leadership Summit:
Sponsor
Generous support from sponsors allows us to provide high quality programming for the students, in addition to transportation, lunch, and materials.
Career Expo
The Student Summit provides a great opportunity to engage with potential future employees, inspire the next generation to pursue a career in water, and share your story about your journey to water and the excellent work your company does in the industry.
Register your company for the Career Expo
Volunteer
Volunteer your time for this student-focused event. We're seeking volunteers to help with set up, lunch, clean up, running the help desk, and more.
“The Water Tower Summit was amazing! Students were able to see how water is so much more than just water. The interactive activities were awesome and the career fair provided students with opportunities that they did not know existed.”
- Veronica Cross, Mountain View High School
"I loved how the Water Tower staff brought together students, the Gwinnett County Water Dept, and other professionals in the industry - students got to see first hand how all work together, making innovation possible.”
- Lindsay Davis, North Gwinnett High School
Special Thanks To Our September 2025 Summit Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Water Leader
Water Mentor
TWT Sustaining and Transformative Partners
