Alberta’s water sources might be clean, but they have to be treated before they can be drunk. And with production companies around, there is a need for the treatment of wastewater.
There are water treatment courses in Alberta that have been responsible for the improvement of water treatment in Alberta.
Table of Contents
Water Treatment Courses in Alberta
- Water and Wastewater Operator Certification
- Water and Wastewater Technician Programming (Distance)
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations
- Water and Wastewater Operator Preparation Level 1 – Northern Lakes College
- Water Treatment Technology Program
- Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate
- Wastewater Operator Training Online – Alberta College
1. Water and Wastewater Operator Certification
The Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program was established to guarantee the appropriate operation and upkeep of water and wastewater facilities, as well as to safeguard the environment and the health of the populace.
According to this mandate, the Operator Certification Program collaborated with its stakeholders to develop a 5-year Strategic Plan, which would lead to frequent program changes.
Certification
There are 5 levels of accreditation in the program for water and wastewater operators:
- Small Systems
- Level I
- Level II
- Level III
- Level IV
The education, training, work experience, and certification exam requirements vary depending on the degree of certification.
Education Requirements
Candidates must fulfill the minimal education, experience, and training requirements for each level to be eligible to write certification tests. Except for Small Systems certification, Grade 12 completion is the minimum requirement. If you didn’t finish grade 12, you can get a high school diploma.
Continuing Education Units
To qualify for certification at Levels III and IV, the certification program requires operators to hold a postsecondary degree or its equivalent. You can substitute relevant, approved work experience or CEUs for post-secondary education to get the same results.
Operators with certification are required to record their training. Before applying for certification or renewal, operators must keep proof that they have met their continuing education requirements, submitted the necessary documents, and had it approved in Compliance 365.
The following are prohibited from receiving CEUs from the Alberta government:
- Webcasts, videos, DVDs, and webinars that are not a part of an educational program
- Work experience, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training
- Association election and nomination meetings
- Staff and committee meetings for business purposes
- Reports from association business meetings
- Independent study without verification of course completion
- A training program’s allocated reading and study time (homework)
- Tours
- report writing
- Trade shows
- Product demonstrations (any length)
Only the Level I and Small Systems certifications require mandatory entry-level training. The organizations listed below provide training that satisfies the criterion for entry-level training:
- Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association (AWWOA)
- NAIT – Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate
- Northern Lakes College
- Portage College
2. Water and Wastewater Technician Programming (Distance)
Employers in the sector as well as Alberta Environment and Parks highly regard the NAIT Water and Wastewater Technician online courses.
These courses will give you a high degree of training if you’re searching for entry-level jobs or career growth in the disciplines of water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, or wastewater treatment.
These courses are also available to be taken if you are already employed in the field and need recertification or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to retain certification.
The Water and Wastewater Technician Distance Learning courses are made to give students a strong foundation in all facets of the water and wastewater sector as well as possibilities for current operators to continue their specialized training and education.
There are three different specialized certificates available, each of which focuses on a highly sought-after specialty field related to the water sector.
These Certificates focus on building specialized expertise in each category while offering a strong foundation and understanding of the water sector. Each Certificate includes online theory classes as well as NAIT campus lab chances for hands-on practice.
3. Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations
Reusing treated wastewater has emerged as a viable solution for reducing the effects of water scarcity. With the knowledge you gain from this course, you can start a fulfilling career in municipal and commercial water/wastewater systems.
Graduates will gain practical knowledge and skills in the operation of water/wastewater systems, treatment technologies, and related laboratory analyses. This is a certificate course, and it is for one year.
They will be ready to take certification examinations for the fourth class in power engineering and water/wastewater treatment thanks to in-class instruction and verified work experience.
The following are skills that program graduates will be able to use:
- Support plant water quality targets
- Examine historical and current data to support choices about plant performance.
- Carry out simple preventative maintenance procedures
- Utilize core chemistry and biology knowledge to maintain process performance
- Utilize the understanding of water/wastewater system processes, including pressure vessels and power-producing equipment, to achieve performance criteria
- Follow all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Control water/wastewater collection and distribution systems.
- Operate high-pressure boilers and steam systems.
- Work with stakeholders to achieve maximum process performance.
Higher grade point average students typically perform better in SAIT programs, and aptitude in the sciences and mathematics would be advantageous. It is ideal to have a specific interest in biology and chemistry.
Graduates can look for employment opportunities as;
- Graduates who complete this program satisfactorily will be awarded a certificate in SAIT Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations.
- Junior operator of water and wastewater
- Sales roles at businesses that provide water treatment and processing services.
- A 4th-class Class engineer position at businesses that produce municipal, industrial, and equipment
- Entry-level jobs at any plant that produces steam or electricity, at a company that recycles water, at a firm that provides environmental advice, or at a company that develops new water technology systems.
Tuition and Fees
Estimated cost per year, domestic total for a year 1 is $20,749, and international total for a year 1 is $27,756.55
The total cost will depend on how many classes a student enrolls in each semester. This program qualifies for financing through the Canada Alberta Job Grant.
Requirements
If you meet the admission standards and there are openings, you will be admitted to this program by direct entry.
4. Water and wastewater Operator Preparation Level 1 – Northern Lakes College
To fill the demanding positions of operators of water and wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems, communities are constantly looking for skilled people.
To meet the urgent need for training in northern Alberta, Northern Lakes College (NLC) and ATAP Infrastructure Management Ltd. (ATAP) have teamed up to conduct Water and Wastewater Operator Preparation Programs.
With the help of this training, current operators will be better equipped to understand the duties and responsibilities of water and wastewater operators and to sit for the provincial certification exam administered by Alberta Environment and Parks.
The technical aspects of water and wastewater treatment, as well as water distribution and wastewater collection, will be taught to students proficiently.
Withdrawals and Refunds
All registrations that are canceled or transferred will incur a $50 administrative fee. When withdrawal is requested with 14 days remaining before the commencement of the course, tuition will be fully refunded less a $50 administrative fee.
If notification of withdrawal is received up to 14 days before the after of the course but less than 14 days, a partial refund of 75% of the tuition cost is given.
Cancellation
Northern Lakes College retains the right to reschedule or cancel a course if not enough people sign up for it to maintain a suitable learning environment. Your registration cost will either be fully reimbursed in this situation or applied to the rescheduled course.
Fee Payment
At the time of registration, fees are payable. Cash, checks, money orders, and debit cards from VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are all accepted at Northern Lakes College. A purchase order (PO) is required to invoice a corporation.
5. Water Treatment Technology Program
The water treatment technology programs at TRU are created to meet the educational needs of entry-level workers in the water distribution and treatment sector. Students can earn the following credentials through the programs’ self-paced credential structure.
TRU now provides a diploma in water and wastewater technology through its campus program.
Careers
Water and distribution facilities at the private, regional, or municipal levels, environmental monitoring of water quality, laboratory analysis of water samples, and providers of services and products for water and wastewater treatment systems are some examples of typical employment.
- Treatment of wastewater and water in industrial settings (such as forestry, mining, etc.)
- Public buildings including provincial and federal parks, the national defense, and prisons
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 (or equivalent)
- Through prior learning assessment and recognition, the programs also take into account prior academic and professional experience.
Residency Requirements
Six TRU credits are required for the Water Treatment Operations certification, either on campus or through open learning.
Certificate Graduation Requirements
To graduate from the Water Treatment Operations certificate program, you must complete 30 credits, have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 calculated using the TRU vocational grading scale, and complete each course within the program with a grade of at least 70%.
Laddering
The programs provide an adaptable laddering system. After completing the first year of studies, students have the option of either laddering into the campus diploma program in Water and Wastewater Technology or exiting the program with a Certificate in Water Treatment Operations.
Two year-one wastewater courses provided on campus must be taken by students interested in laddering into the campus diploma program. Following the diploma program, students have the option of continuing to earn a bachelor’s degree in technology, a bachelor’s degree in trades and technology leadership, or a bachelor’s degree in general studies.
6. Water and Wastewater Technician Certificate
The most valuable resource on earth is freshwater. It’s essential for maintaining life, growing food, and producing energy. Less than 1% of the water on Earth’s surface, which covers 70% of its surface, is fresh water.
The need for highly qualified, well-trained experts in the field of water management has increased significantly as a result of this natural scarcity and a culture that is becoming more ecologically conscious.
The NAIT Water and Wastewater Technician program—the only one of its kind in Alberta—is created to provide you with the crucial skills required for a fulfilling career in this expanding sector.
Upcoming Intakes
To view pertinent programs, choose your preferred intake. Program information, such as costs and course descriptions, may change depending on the intake.
7. Wastewater Operator Training Online – Alberta College
Starting in September 2016, Northern Lakes College (NLC) in Slave Lake, Alberta, will be providing an online training program for water and wastewater operator employment.
Residents of northern Alberta who might not otherwise be able to get training for jobs as water and wastewater operators are the target audience for the program. In the region’s northern villages, there is currently a dearth of skilled water and wastewater operators.
The first organization in the north to provide online training in the water and wastewater industries is NLC. In collaboration with Advanced Technology Applications (ATAP) Infrastructure Management Ltd., the course will be delivered.
For both men and women starting their careers, reentering the workforce, or thinking about a career shift, working in this field can offer a very satisfying profession.
The program is concentrated on serving the First Nation and Metis settlements that are close by.
The northern Alberta economy would benefit from the program’s expansion; in the previous two years, 40% of firms in the region recruited for jobs in water asset management, while nearly 30% reported trouble filling such positions.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there are some impressive waste treatment courses in Alberta and to take advantage of these courses, you would have to register for any of them.
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A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.