The current availability of high quality drinking water in the United States is very scarce. Water utilities are forced to use ground water and surface water sources that were previously not even under consideration. Today's water treatment is accomplished with fewer chemicals and provides better protection against pathogens, despite stricter certification. With improvements to conventional water treament taking place as new technologies are constantly developed, the current state of regulation challenges the water industry to provide larger amounts of safe drinking water to its customers. The demand for good tasting, clean water at the lowest possible cost is the goal for every water industry today. To this end the water utilities across the country are in dire need of many qualified, dedicated, and capable water treatment operators. This will insure potable and palatable water for the foreseeable future. Failure to do so would be disastrous. The Water and People Course is a first step in identifying and training future treatment plant operators, so safe clean water can continue to be provided to the public.