Water Supply Technology Certificate of Achievement

Program Description

The Water Supply Technology Certificate is designed to prepare students with the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain entry-level employment in the water supply, delivery, and treatment operations. [The Water Supply Technology Certificate should not be confused with certification issued by the State Water Resources Control Board, California Water Environment Association (CWEA), or the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Certification by the State of California requires the qualified individual to: 1) pass an examination administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, California Water Environment Association (CWEA), or American Water Works Association (AWWA); 2) meet the experience and/or educational minimum requirements; 3) and, submit a certification application with the applicable fee.

The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program.  Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway.  It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.

Division

Applied Technology, Transportation & Culinary Arts

Department

Water Supply Technology

Career and Academic Pathway (CAP)

Manufacturing, Industry, Transportation

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Have knowledge of fundamental aspects of water resource management, conservation, distribution, treatment, collection, recycle, and disposal operations.

  2. Perform tasks in connection with the operation, control, and maintenance of water and sanitation systems.

  3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and apply these tools in a regulatory context (i.e. public health protection).

Program Map

GE General Education
O Available Online
Program Requirement
P Program Prerequisites

1st Semester

15 units
CIT 031
Business English
This course is a review of basic grammar, punctuation, capitalization, vocabulary, and spelling. Emphasis is placed on grammar and vocabulary building for effective business communications.

Course Details:

WST 071
Water Treatment I
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water treatment. It includes processes required to treat source water into potable water and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required to pass the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) examination at the Water Treatment Operator I (T1) and Water Treatment Operator I (T2) level. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the specialized training covering drinking water treatment required to apply for SWRCB T2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
WST 071
Water Treatment I
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water treatment. It includes processes required to treat source water into potable water and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required to pass the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) examination at the Water Treatment Operator I (T1) and Water Treatment Operator I (T2) level. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the specialized training covering drinking water treatment required to apply for SWRCB T2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
WST 052 or WST 053

This vocational math course is recommended for students who are currently enrolled in water technology course(s). The course includes an application of math to solve problems commonly encountered in water technology.

Course Details:

OR
This vocational math course is recommended for students who are currently enrolled in wastewater treatment course(s). The course includes math required to solve problems commonly encountered in the primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment of wastewater.

Course Details:

WST 061
Water Distribution I
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water distribution. It covers the configuration, operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required for the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) water distribution certification tests at D1 and D2 levels. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for the SWRCB D2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
WST 061
Water Distribution I
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water distribution. It covers the configuration, operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required for the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) water distribution certification tests at D1 and D2 levels. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for the SWRCB D2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
WST 045
Backflow Prevention Devices
This course provides instruction in theory, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. It prepares journeyman plumbers and utility operators to take the American Water Work Association Backflow Prevention Certification test.

Course Details:

WST 045
Backflow Prevention Devices
This course provides instruction in theory, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. It prepares journeyman plumbers and utility operators to take the American Water Work Association Backflow Prevention Certification test.

Course Details:

2nd Semester

10 units
WST 075
Water/Wastewater Chemistry and Analysis
This course introduces students to the physical and chemical properties of substances commonly used in the treatment of water/wastewater and the role of laboratory analysis in the treatment processes. The course includes procedures and techniques used by plant operators in physical, chemical, and bacteriological examination of water/wastewater.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite/Corequisite: WST 071
    2. or
  2. Prerequisite/Corequisite: WST 091
Two courses from the following:
This introductory water conservation course is designed for students interested in working as a water use efficiency practitioner. It includes the expected range of knowledge required for the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Use Efficiency Practitioner I Certificate.

Course Details:

This course explores the history and development of California water resources. In addition, the course covers the impact of environmental and economic water usage as well as water quality, water pollution and water resource regulations affecting our public drinking water. The basics of watershed management, water supply availability, ground and surface water hydrology as well as alternative sources of water such as the use of water conservation methods will be covered.

Course Details:

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and pollution prevention. The course explores the roles of politics, economics, science, and health, in setting regulatory policies that are designed to safeguard and protect water resources. As a part of this course environmental monitoring standards, regulatory agencies, inter-agency relationships and jurisdictions are explored.

Course Details:

The introductory course will provide students with a deeper understanding of geography from a water utility perspective, instruction on the basics of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and introduce them to the core principles of how the knowledge may be applied to water resource management. GIS is used to solve real world water problems including infrastructure placement and maintenance, the difficulties associated with sourcing water, moving water, and treating water as well as the impacts of these on human populations and the natural world.

Course Details:

This course provides instruction in theory, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. It prepares journeyman plumbers and utility operators to take the American Water Work Association Backflow Prevention Certification test.

Course Details:

This course provides instruction in theory, testing, and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies. It prepares journeyman plumbers and utility operators to take the American Water Work Association Backflow Prevention Certification test.

Course Details:

This course is a study of the administrative and technical procedures required to establish a cross-connection control program, including a review of applicable local, state and federal regulations. The course includes the identification and study of backflow devices required to mitigate hazards of actual or potential connections between a potable water supply and any source of contamination. It also prepares students to become certified as cross-connection control program specialists.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: WST 045
    2. or
  2. Corequisite: WST 045
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water distribution. It covers the configuration, operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required for the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) water distribution certification tests at D1 and D2 levels. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for the SWRCB D2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water distribution. It covers the configuration, operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required for the State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) water distribution certification tests at D1 and D2 levels. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for the SWRCB D2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
This advanced level course prepares students for journeyman level system operations in the field of water distribution. The course covers the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required for the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) examination at the Water Distribution Operator IV (D4) and Water Distribution Operator V (D5) levels. Successful completion of this course also fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for SWRCB Water Treatment Operator III (T3) and Water Distribution Operator IV (D4) examinations.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: WST 061
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water treatment. It includes processes required to treat source water into potable water and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required to pass the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) examination at the Water Treatment Operator I (T1) and Water Treatment Operator I (T2) level. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the specialized training covering drinking water treatment required to apply for SWRCB T2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
This introductory course is designed for students interested in the field of water treatment. It includes processes required to treat source water into potable water and includes the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required to pass the California State Water Resource Control Board (SWRCB) examination at the Water Treatment Operator I (T1) and Water Treatment Operator I (T2) level. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for the specialized training covering drinking water treatment required to apply for SWRCB T2 certification test.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 052
This advanced level course prepares students for journeyman level plant operations in the field of water treatment. The course covers the Expected Range of Knowledge (ERK) required to pass the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) examination at Water Treatment Operator III (T3) and Water treatment Operator IV (T4) level. Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements for specialized training covering fundamentals of water supply principles required to apply for SWRCB Water Treatment Operator III (T3) and Water Distribution Operator III (D3) examinations.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: WST 071
This course is designed to train operators in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater collector systems, emphasizing safe practices and procedures.  The course focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential duties of an entry level collection system maintenance technologist and prepares students to take the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collection System Certification exam at the Grade I level.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 053
This course is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the operation and maintenance of wastewater collector systems.  The course focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential duties of a skilled or journey level collection system maintenance technologist and prepares students to take the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collection System Certification exam at Grade II.

Course Details:

  1. Prerequisite: WST 081
This is an introductory course in electrical instrumentation. The focus of this course will be on how electrical instrumentation is used in the water/wastewater industry. The course will cover basic electronic, electrical, and control systems used for pressure, temperature, level, and flow measurements needed for process control. Electrical safety, process and instrumentation diagrams, and other instrumentation for automation and process control will be discussed.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 071
  2. Departmental Advisory: WST 091
An introduction to wastewater treatment, students will explore the scope, limits, and methods of wastewater treatment processes through readings, discussions, analysis, and laboratory study. This course is designed for individuals seeking employment or already employed in the wastewater field. It covers the wastewater operator's job-related knowledge identified by the SWRCB examination developers as essential for a minimally competent Grade I or Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 053
This is an advanced course in wastewater treatment. Students will explore the scope, limits, and methods of secondary and advanced treatment, solids handling, disinfection, and the reclamation of wastewater, through readings, discussions, analysis, and laboratory study. This course is designed for individuals seeking employment or already employed in the wastewater field. It covers the wastewater operator's job-related knowledge identified by the California State Water Resources Control Board examination developers as essential for a minimally competent Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade III or above.

Course Details:

  1. Departmental Advisory: WST 053
  2. Prerequisite: WST 091