Typical Program of Study
Our one-year program emphasizes practical training during 35 contact hours per week. The theoretical aspects of drinking water and wastewater treatment presented in lecture sessions are supplemented by experience in laboratories, shops, pilot plant work and treatment plants. A 10-week supervised work-study internship is an integral part of the program. All students enroll in an internship in a public water supply and/or wastewater treatment system.
Fall
ERTC 101- Wastewater Operations I
An introduction to physical, chemical and biological treatment processes for wastewater. The treatment processes covered include preliminary, primary, fixed film, stabilization ponds and activated sludge. Additional topics covered include rules and regulations related to wastewater treatment, operator certification, sources, characteristics and public health aspects of wastewater. The ERTC pilot plant is used to obtain practical experience related to the operation and maintenance of actual wastewater treatment plants.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 4, Lecture - 4, Total - 8
ERTC 102-Water Supply Operations
Surface water treatment procedures for production of safe and acceptable drinking water from lakes and rivers are provided. Specific topics covered include preliminary treatment, clarification, filtration, disinfection, taste and odor control and corrosion control. Field trips to actual surface water treatment systems are provided. The ERTC pilot plant is used to obtain practical experience related to the operation and maintenance of actual drinking water treatment systems.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 4, Lecture - 4, Total - 8
ERTC 103-Water Quality Laboratory I
This is a basic introduction to chemistry and microbiology for the analysis of drinking water and wastewater. Topics include the proper care and use of glassware, equipment and chemicals; laboratory safety; laboratory techniques and specific analytical techniques for selected drinking water and wastewater parameters.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 2, Lecture - 6, Total - 8
ERTC 105-Mechanical Maintenance
An introduction to the operation and maintenance of mechanical equipment in drinking water and wastewater treatment systems is provided. This equipment includes centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, blowers, air compressors, motors and speed reducers. Topics include lubrication, valves, bearings, connections, safety, the proper use of tools and equipment and maintenance file systems.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 3, Lecture - 4, Total - 7
ERTC 106-Water Quality Math and Science
This course provides a review of basic mathematics and an introduction to drinking water and wastewater treatment systems process control calculations. An introduction to chemistry, water quality and microbiology applications for drinking water and wastewater treatment systems are provided.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 0, Lecture - 4, Total - 4
Hours - Lab - 17, Lecture - 18, Total - 35
Spring
ERTC 201-Wastewater Operations II
The wastewater treatment processes covered include advances activated sludge, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, sludge handling, sludge disposal methods, physical-chemical treatment and tertiary and industrial systems. Field trips to actual wastewater treatment plants are provide. The ERTC pilot plant is used to obtain practical experience related to the operation and maintenance of actual wastewater treatment plants.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 4, Lecture - 4, Total - 8
ERTC 202-Water Supply Operations II
Ground water treatment procedures for the production of safe and acceptable drinking water from wells are provided. Specific topics covered include iron and manganese control, operation and maintenance of wells, softening, fluoridation, process waste disposal, reverse osmosis and ozonation. Field trips to actual ground water treatment plants are provided. The ERTC pilot plant is used to obtain practical experience related to the operation and maintenance of actual water treatment plants.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 4, Lecture - 4, Total - 8
ERTC 203-Water Quality Laboratory II
This course is a continuation of ERTC 103 with additional applications of chemistry and microbiology for the analysis of drinking water and wastewater. Topics include laboratory management, quality control, record keeping and specific analytical techniques for selected drinking water and wastewater parameters.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 2, Lecture - 4, Total - 6
ERTC 205-Electrical/Instrumentation Maintenance
An introduction to the operation and maintenance of electrical and instrumentation equipment in drinking water and wastewater treatment systems id provided. This equipment includes motors and their control systems, flow measurement systems and water level indication systems. Topics include safety, proper use of electrical testing equipment, troubleshooting, calibrating procedures and the use of electrical schematics and wiring diagrams. Site visits to actual electrical and instrumentation systems are provided.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 2, Lecture - 4, Total - 6
ERTC 207-WaterQualityCommunications
This course provides an introduction to microcomputer applications to include word processing, file systems and spreadsheets. Other topics include job interview skills, public relations, public notice, personal improvement and resume preparation.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 1, Lecture - 1, Total - 2
ERTC 208-System Maintenance
An introduction to the operation and maintenance of wastewater collection and drinking water distribution systems is provided. Topics include safety, construction, inspection, cleaning, service connections, water main disinfection, records, public notices, sampling procedures, flushing hydrants, meters, cross connection control and water storage. Field trips are used to demonstrate current practices.
Hours Per Week - Lab - 2, Lecture - 3, Total - 5
Hours - Lab - 15, Lecture - 20, Total - 35
Summer
ERTC-300 Supervised Work Study
This course is a ten week work experience in actual drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. This work experience is coordinated by an ERTC staff member and is directly supervised by personnel employed at each treatment plant. A daily log written report and oral report describing this experience are prepared and presented to the ERTC staff at the conclusion of the work experience.
40 hrs./week for 10 weeks
Total Hours for Program Completion - 1,450
