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 2026 Student Water Innovation and Leadership Summit Program will be available soon.

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 2026 Student Summit on August 3, 2026. Requests will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until we reach 200 students total. After that, we’ll begin a waitlist.