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Environmental Technology

This program is currently under revision. In past years, potential students were able to choose between a one-year certificate program in Water/Wastewater Plant Operations and two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Water/Wastewater Technology. The department expects revisions to be done by the 2012–2013 academic year. Please check next year’s catalog for further details of the new program.

Water treatment facilities treat water to make safe drinking water for the public. Water treatment plant operators have the responsibility for operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant and water distribution system. Wastewater treatment facilities remove pollutants from wastewater to make it safe to discharge into the environment. Wastewater treatment plant operators have the responsibility for operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant and the wastewater collections system.

Water and wastewater treatment plant operators control both biological and chemical plant operations, monitor and maintain equipment, perform laboratory tests and prepare reports for regulatory agencies. Treatment plant operators must have a working knowledge of plant operations, treatment equipment, chemistry, microbiology, mathematics and computer applications.

Classes are held in modern, well-equipped classrooms and laboratories. The Water and Wastewater Technology program offers completely equipped laboratories for chemistry and microbiology, mechanical and electrical maintenance applications. Computer applications are a part of many classroom activities and laboratory applications.