Water Treatment Plant Operations Specialist
Program Features
At-a-Glance
CCE’s certificate provides students with the skills and knowledge to:
- Train for a career as a water treatment professional, to provide the public with a reliable, safe drinking water
- Identify the sources, risks, and treatment of water contaminants
- Learn about technologies for removing contaminants from water, and how to effectively use them
- Safely apply chemicals and processes used in water treatment
- Monitor water treatment processes using sampling and laboratory techniques
Overview
The availability of a clean, safe drinking water supply is expected in the United States. Those responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of the supply are water treatment plant operators.
In order to be employed by a water treatment plant, operators must be licensed or certified by their states. To be eligible to take a state certification exam, operators must provide proof of having earned continuing education units in their chosen field. This Water Treatment Plant Operation certificate program may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Water treatment plant operators play an important role in protecting and enhancing water resources, public health, and the environment.
Audience
- Prospective water treatment plant operators seeking a career in the water treatment industry
- Experienced water treatment operators seeking to enhance fundamental skills, gain more responsibilities, or promotions
- Engineers and other professionals working in the water treatment industry
Format
The Water Treatment Plant Operations Specialist certificate consists of three 90-hour courses for a total of 18 units of academic credit. All program courses are offered exclusively using a distance learning format, providing optimum flexibility for the adult learner.
Courses include:
Students 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 continuing education units toward re-licensing.
Courses are offered continuously, and students may enroll and begin a course at any time. Courses are self-paced, and exams may be taken online.
Course Offerings
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 Water Treatment Plant Operation 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.
Costs
All fees are subject to change.
The cost for each course is $912 and includes university enrollment, exam materials, grading, administration of a final exam (online) and six units of academic credit. There are no refunds for this program.
There is an additional cost for a textbook/manual for each course. Please contact the Office of Water Programs for the exact cost and to purchase these materials.
How to Enroll
Call 916-278-6984 to register.
If you live outside of California, see if Sacramento State has secured authorization or exemption to enroll students from your state in its online programs.