Dec 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog

Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection System Technology, Diploma

Location(s): Ankeny


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The Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems diploma is designed to address the education requirements of current and future student operators working in the water treatment industry. This diploma is a starting point for people who are interested in a career in the water treatment industry and will prepare them for entry-level employment. This program emphasizes hands-on experience and instruction.  An internship is required.

The AAS degree program is designed to build on this diploma to prepare current operators and students to be more comprehensive and valuable employees by giving them the knowledge and the skills to work on processes, equipment, controls and to troubleshoot.

This program provides training and educational experiences that will prepare you for water distribution and wastewater collection system 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.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Pathway: Agriculture, Animals, & Natural Resources


More information on this Pathway.

Students may start this program any semester


Program Graduation Requirements


To earn a Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection System Technology, Diploma, a student must complete all required coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade of 2.0 (C) or better is required in all WAT courses required for this diploma.

Semester 3


Total Credits Required to Complete this Award - 38


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs


  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Books (approximate) 750 650 350

Approximate total cost for the program: $9,084

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

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


Students completing this diploma 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 and industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities, systems, and municipal, industrial, and commercial laboratories. They will be well-advanced along the path for state operator certification, which opens many employment doors for them.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Operate facilities to collect and treat water and wastewater to remove pollutants and recycle/reuse water, recover resources, protect and improve our environment, reduce water pollution, and protect public health from waterborne diseases and other health concerns.
  • Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot water and wastewater treatment processes and systems.
  • Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment, controls, computerized systems and laboratory equipment.
  • Collect and analyze water and wastewater samples, interpret results and adjust processes to achieve maximum performance.
  • Be eligible to take your Iowa DNR Grade 1 Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems Certification Exams, have the knowledge to pass the exams, and become certified.
  • Make a difference every day.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • Water Environmental Technology is a high-growth industry that is very stable and challenging. There are a wide variety of career opportunities and specialties.
  • Because field work and hands-on experience are so important to this field, you will have to do an internship where you will work in this field and gain real-world experience.  This work experience will qualify you to take a Grade 1 certification exam when you complete your internship!
  • If you are a person who is passionate about serving your community, recycling, improving 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 certification. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Program Competencies


  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the operator’s duties at water distribution and collection systems facilities
  2. Explain the operations, maintenance, and administration of water distribution and collection systems facilities
  3. Perform monitoring, sampling, and laboratory analyses for regulatory compliance and process control of water distribution and collection systems facilities
  4. Obtain the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Grade 1 Operator Certifications

Competencies revised date


AY2023

Nondiscrimination Statement


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, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

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 Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive 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, dso@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. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.(2024)

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