Water Treatment and Distribution System Technology, Certificate

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The Water Treatment Technology certificate is designed to give entry-level students and entry-level water industry employees training in skills and theory directly related to water operations. This certificate is designed to be a starting point for people who are interested in a career in the water treatment and/or distribution field and will prepare them for entry-level employment. The diploma and AAS degree programs are designed to build from this certificate to allow workers in treatment operations to be a more comprehensive and valuable employee by giving them the skills to work on advanced equipment, controls and troubleshoot problematic equipment.

This program provides training and educational experiences that will prepare you for certification examinations. Work experience requirements must be met before you are eligible to take an examination for certification. Be sure to refer to the certifying body in your area to determine eligibility. In Iowa, visit the DNR website located at http://www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryWater/Certification/WaterWastewaterOperators.aspx.

For more information about the Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/water.

Program Details

Location: Ankeny

Students start Fall semester

If you wish to start the program in the Spring or Summer, please contact the program chair at 515-965-7015to discuss proper sequencing of courses.

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Attend any required information/registration session.
Complete a high school chemistry course or equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a Water Treatment & Distribution System Technology certificate, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade of 2.0 (C) or better is required in all courses required for this degree.

Semester 1

WAT 101 - Water and Wastewater Basic Science Credits: 3
WAT 304 - Water Treatment I Credits: 4
SDV 108 - The College Experience Credits: 1

Semester 2

WAT 102 - Water and Wastewater Maintenance Credits: 4
WAT 309 - Water Distribution Systems I Credits: 4

Semester 3

WAT 100 - Water and Wastewater Operator Math Credits: 2
WAT 932 - Internship Credits: 3

Note:

These credits are applicable to the Water and Wastewater Technology diploma and the AAS degree in Water Environmental Technology .

Total Credits Required to Complete this Certificate - 21

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$156.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3
Books (approximate)	300	300	100
Tours	100	100

Approximate total for program: $4,176**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Students completing the Water Treatment and Distribution System Technology certificate will be well-poised to enter the workforce with other entry-level personnel, but they will be able to more quickly advance up the pay and duty scale because they will have training that others will not have. They will immediately be qualified for some related employment opportunities, including entry-level positions with municipal water treatment plants, municipal water distribution systems, industrial water treatment plants and water compliance laboratories. You will be well-advanced along the path for state operator certification, which opens many employment doors for you.

You will:

Produce and deliver safe drinking water to consumers, thereby protecting public health from waterborne diseases and other health concerns.
Operate facilities and equipment designed to clean up water and maintain or improve our environment.
Operate and maintain water treatment processes and water distribution systems.
Operate and monitor controls, computerized systems and laboratory equipment.
Collect and analyze water samples, interpret results and adjust processes to achieve maximum performance.
Be eligible to take your Iowa DNR Grade 1 Water Treatment Certification Exam, have the knowledge to pass the exam, and become certified.
Be eligible to take your Iowa DNR Grade 1 Water Distribution Certification Exam, have the knowledge to pass the exam, and become certified.
Make a difference every day.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

A basic knowledge of the traditional sciences, including biology and chemistry.
A good knowledge of math and algebra.
A willingness to work indoors and outdoors.
A desire to protect public health and the environment.
Technical abilities and technological skills.
Good public relations skills.
A willingness to do a variety of tasks that contribute to water treatment and distribution.

What Else Should I Consider about this Specialist Certificate?

Water environmental technology is a high-growth industry that is very stable and challenging. There are a wide variety of career opportunities and specialties.
Field work and other hands-on experience is very important in this field. You will want to make sure you have time in your schedule to complete an internship.
If you are a person who is passionate about public health and the environment, able to work with minimal supervision and reliable and accurate in your work ethic, water environmental technology may be the field for you.
Average starting salary $28,000-$60,000 (depending on area of interest and level of education), with opportunities to make a much higher income as you advance to higher levels of Iowa DNR certification.

Nondiscrimination Statement

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu. Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).₍₂₀₁₈₎