Graduates of this program are able to:

• Operate basic to advanced water-treatment and water-distribution systems.
• Describe, operate and troubleshoot fundamental electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Describe, operate and troubleshoot basic mechanical systems: piping, valves and pump systems, and cross-connection control.
• Describe basic water sciences including applied math, chemistry and hydraulics.
• Perform source water quality- and effluent-sampling, analysis, reporting and describe source protection.
• Describe the legislative requirements, occupational health and safety, and communications skills and knowledge required within the industry.

Program Delivery

This certificate program has a continuous intake that contains 10 courses, each of which are three credits, for a total of 30 credits. Evaluations are completed on a course-by-course basis—generally based on assignments, quizzes, lab marks, midterm exams where applicable and final examinations.

Admission Requirements

Grade 12 (or equivalent)

This program also recognizes past educational and work experience through prior learning assessment and recognition.

Residency Requirements

Water Treatment Operations certificates require a minimum of six TRU credits (Open Learning or campus)

Certificate Graduation Requirement

Water Treatment Operations certificate program graduation requires completion of 30 credits, with a minimum graduating grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 based on the TRU vocational grading scale, as well as successful completion of each individual course within the program with a grade of 70 percent or higher.

Certificate Courses

WTTP 1701, Water Sources (3 credits) - This course provides training in the development of new and existing water sources. Students focus on ground and surface water sources as they relate to the way drinking water is treated and distributed. Areas of study include: basic water supply hydrology; groundwater sources; surface water sources; emergency and alternate water sources; source water conservation; source water quality; and source water protection.

WTTP 1711, Water Treatment 1 (3 credits) - This is a basic water treatment course with emphasis on environmental applications focusing on past, present and future technologies concerned with water treatment. The major emphasis will cover: Operator responsibilities, water sources, reservoir management, coagulation and flocculation processes, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, corrosion control, and basic water treatment sampling procedures.

WTTP 1721, Applied Math and Science (3 credits) - This course covers the essential elements of mathematics and science which enables students to be successful in the program. In mathematics, the concepts of fractions, ratios and proportion, scientific notation, percent, algebra, calculation of areas and volumes, graphs, and the conversion of units are covered. The science component of the course is divided into two areas: hydraulics and chemistry. In hydraulics, the concepts of pressure, hydraulic grade lines, calculation of head loss, pumping and flow rate problems are discussed in detail. In chemistry, the structure of matter, the balancing of chemical equations and the calculation of dosage are studied.

WTTP 1731, Mechanical Systems 1 and Water Distribution (3 credits) - Mechanical Systems 1 and Water Distribution (3 credits) - Students explore the principles of mechanical systems as they apply to water distribution, including piping, pumps and valves used in water and wastewater treatment facilities. The principles of cross connection control are also covered.

WTTP 1741, Environmental Legislation, Safety and Communications (3 credits) - This course provides a foundation in three topic areas: legislation, safety and communications. Under the legislative section, students gain an understanding of the basic principles of environmental law and the legislative framework under which most water suppliers must legally operate. The safety section includes topics such as occupational health and safety as it applies to operations and management of water systems. The third section covers oral and written communication skills required for operators dealing with specific situations that arise through interactions with the public.

WTTP 1801, Applied Electrical Systems (3 credits) - This course offers students an introduction to electrical systems as they apply to the daily operation of water and wastewater treatment processes. Students are introduced to electrical principles, components of electrical systems, operating principles of electric motors, variable frequency drives, advanced motor control and programmable logic controllers.

WTTP 1821, Instrumentation 1 (3 credits) - This course offers an introduction to the instrumentation trade as it applies to the day-to-day operation of water and wastewater treatment plants. Topics discussed include: process control principles; terminology; and troubleshooting techniques. This course is not designed to create tradespersons, but is designed from the viewpoint of plant operators, to develop more awareness of the trades and to enable operators to function more effectively.

WTTP 1831, Mechanical Systems 2 and Energy Management (3 credits) - This course is a continuation of Mechanical Systems 1 and Water Distribution. Students are introduced in more detail to the selection, operating principles, adjustment and maintenance of mechanical equipment used in water and wastewater treatment processes and facilities. The course is arranged in four general sections, starting with moving water, process equipment and pumps as well as energy conservation management.

WTTP 1851, Water Treatment 2 (3 credits) - This course is a continuation of Water Treatment 1. Advanced topics in this course include: water softening; pH control; pre-oxidation; and dissolved metals removal. Students are provided an overview of chemical feed systems and chemical dosage calculations.

WTTP 1891, Water Treatment Lab (3 credits) - This course offers students hands-on practical training integral to the development of water operators. Students' progress through practical labs involving water quality sampling and analysis, basic electrical, instrumentation, mechanical system maintenance, and plant operation fundamentals for water treatment and distribution. Please Note – students must attend this course in Kamloops.