Training Opportunities

Operator Education Opportunities There are many options to get training whether for Continuing Professional Education, substitution for experience, or just staying abreast of changes in the drinking water industry. Training is available by attending a resident course (or event training) or by enrolling in distance learning instruction. Distance learning courses may be correspondence courses, online learning and other computer based training, or broadcasts using satellites or video conferencing. Click on the links to find a course that is right for you.

Resident Training Courses These courses require operators to attend in person, and in addition to registration fees, may require travel, per diem, and lodging expenses. There are several nonprofit organizations that provide event training for waterworks operators. Some of these offering standing programs include: the Advanced Operator Short Schools, Mountain Empire Community College, the Southeast-RCAP, Virginia Rural Water Association, Virginia Section-AWWA, and the Continuing Education Division of Virginia Tech.

Waterworks Operator Short Courses. There are four levels to the Short Courses offered at Virginia Tech in the July-August time frame of each year. The courses are designed in a building block manner that the curricula for levels two and three are based on having completed the previous level.

The first course, Year 1, is an introductory level course emphasizing core subjects, such as disinfection, hydrologic cycle, and operator math. The second level, Year 2, examines groundwater production and hydrogeology, begins investigating the treatment of surface source water, and continues course work on core subjects. The third level, Year 3, strictly focuses on the unit treatment processes of surface source water and how to optimize these treatment processes. The third level, Year 4, the course will build on the principles of Water 1-3 and include materials pertaining to management, process controls, troubleshooting, new technologies, emerging contaminants, human resources, asset management, and much more.

For more information on the short courses and registration, click here.

ODW-Virginia Tech Speciality Courses

WaterOperator.org

Southeast Rural Community Assistance Program (check the calendar)

Virginia Section AWWA (check the calendar)

Water Jam    (https://vaawwa.org/Page/waterjam)

AWWA- Operator information ( https://www.awwa.org/Professional-Development/Operators?source_2=subject+matter&utm_source=promotions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=operator_resources)

Virginia Rural Water Association (check the calendar)

Distance Learning. There are several ways to take distance learning—by correspondence, online, or computer-based training. Operators benefit from being able to proceed at their own pace. The Montana Water Center course is free and be taken online or a CD-ROM can be ordered if a high speed Internet connection is not available.

Virginia Western Community College: Using the ABC Water Treatment Formula Table
Distance Learning Course for Water Operators

Mountain Empire Community College. Water/Wastewater Courses are now on the Web and can be applied to an Environmental Associate Degree at Mountain Empire Community College. Courses include applied information on Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology, Electricity, Hydraulics, Hydrology, along with other science and engineering information. Labs may be taken at a plant in your area under approved supervision. Website information is free. Click here for more information.

AWWA – Becoming a Certified Operator , eLearning

CDC’s Online Training on Water Fluoridation for Waterworks Operators

CSU (Sacramento) Correspondence Courses

Waterworks Regulations Training- Cross Connection Control Program Video

Cross Connection Control Training Slides- October 2021