Overview

The ready availability of a clean, safe drinking water supply is, and should be, expected in the United States. The people responsible for consistently providing that drinking water supply are the operators of water treatment plants and water distribution systems. Water treatment plant operators must be licensed by their state, which tests operators for competence and verifies their work experience prior to licensing them to treat water for public consumption. Educating prospective water treatment plant operators and providing continuing education for experienced operators is a critically important responsibility to help insure public health. The Water Treatment Plant Operation Specialist program is designed to provide participants with the technical, scientific and application background necessary to obtain licensure, and the knowledge, skills and abilities to competently work in the water treatment industry.

Benefits for Participants

Participation in this certificate program will:

• prepare participants for careers as water treatment professionals, with all of the consummate skills and knowledge required to provide the public with a reliable, safe water supply
• teach participants about the origins, risks and assessment of water contaminants
• introduce participants to the use of selected technologies for removing contaminants from water, and the operational and maintenance techniques necessary to effectively utilize those technologies
• teach participants about the risks associated with chemicals and equipment used in water treatment and to teach proper techniques and procedures necessary to protect themselves, co-workers and the public

Audience

These courses are designed for:

• entry level employees pursuing a career in water treatment
• experienced water treatment operators seeking to enhance fundamental skills
• experienced wastewater treatment plant operators seeking licensure for water treatment
• engineers and other professionals working in the water treatment industry

Program Structure

The Water Treatment Plant Operations Specialist Certificate Program: Certificate of Academic Achievement consists of three 90-hour courses, for a total of 270 hours and 18 units of academic credit. The correspondence format enables participants to work at their own pace and to schedule their studies around other commitments. Courses include:

• Water Treatment Plant Operation I (6 units)
• Water Treatment Plant Operation II (6 units)
• Small Water System Operation and Maintenance (6 units)

Participants must complete all three courses to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement. Those who do not wish to earn a certificate are encouraged to enroll in one or more courses individually for professional development, preparation for certification exams or to earn academic credit toward re-licensure. These courses serve as excellent training preparation for state certification exams and also satisfy the new “specialized training” and continuing education “contact hours” requirements for water treatment and distribution licensing.

Fees

The cost for each course is $912 and includes University enrollment, exam materials, grading, administration of a final exam (via the Internet) and six units of academic credit. The textbook fee for each course is $49 and is not included in the course fee. Textbooks are purchased through the Office of Water Programs. There are no refunds for this program.

Courses

CE 28A Water Treatment Plant Operation I

This introductory course provides an overview of the need for water treatment, the importance of providing safe water for the public and the theory and operation of conventional water treatment plant processes. Emphasis is placed on developing knowledge and skills needed by an operator working in a conventional water treatment plant treating surface water.

CE 28B Water Treatment Operation II

Building on the knowledge obtained in I, this secondary course introduces advanced information on the theory and operation of conventional water treatment plant processes. In addition, the more advanced processes including iron and manganese control, fluoridation, softening, trihalomethane prevention, demineralization, and handling and disposal of process wastes are presented. Emphasis is placed on developing advanced knowledge and skills needed by an operator working in a conventional water treatment plant treating surface water including instrumentation, safety, advanced laboratory procedures, water quality regulation and administration.

CE 29 Small Water System Operation and Maintenance

This course is designed to train operators in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining small drinking water supply and treatment system, with emphasis on the use of safe practices and procedures. Topics include the role and duties of small system operators, water sources and treatment processes; operation and maintenance procedures for small water treatment plants; disinfection; safety; laboratory procedures; setting water rates; and how to solve water treatment plant math problems. Detailed descriptions of the components of a drinking water well are presented, and operators will learn how to set up a wellhead protection program; operate, maintain and rehabilitate wells; disinfect wells and pumps; and troubleshoot operating problems.

Registration

To register, please contact the College of Continuing Education at (916) 278-6984 and reference the appropriate course code (CE 28A, CE 28B or CE 29).
For more information about the Water Treatment Plant Operation Specialist program, please contact the Office of Water Programs at www.owp.csus.edu or (916) 278-6142. To register, please call the College of Continuing Education at (916) 278-6984.