Concerns about water quality, water distribution, and wastewater are some of the most urgent public health issues in recent years, and they are now governed by legislation that is even stricter than previously.
Students who enroll in water and wastewater programs gain the abilities, know-how, and training necessary to ensure the security and effective management of our water supply, enabling them to satisfy the demanding standards put on water quality specialists.
Here are some of the greatest water treatment online courses you can study in Canada if you’d like to help safeguard and manage one of our most valuable resources.
Table of Contents
7 Best Water Treatment Online Courses in Canada
- Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program
- Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association, AWWOA Courses
- Water and Wastewater Technician Programming (Distance)
- Water and Wastewater Operator Preparation Level 1 – Northern Lakes College
- Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
- Water Treatment Technology Program
- Water and Wastewater Technician
- Alberta College Takes Wastewater Operator Training Online
1. Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program
The Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Programme 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.
By following that directive, the Operator Certification Program worked with its stakeholders to develop a five-year strategic plan that will lead to regular program revisions.
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. You can get a high degree even if you didn’t finish grade 12.
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 Alberta government will not recognize CEUs or give CEUs for the following, as stated in the aforementioned policy:
- Webcasts, videos, DVDs, and webinars that are not part of an educational program;
- Work experience, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training
- Association election and nomination meetings
- Staff and committee meetings for work purposes
- Association business meetings and reports
- Self-directed study without completion or verification of courses
- Prescribed reading and study time (homework) linked with any training program.
- tours
- report writing
- trade shows
- Product demonstrations (any length)
Mandatory Training Requirements
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
Fees
Each online exam costs US$99, which must be paid to the exam provider. The cost of renewal is now C$130. Starting on July 1, renewal costs must be paid every three years.
Contract Renewal
To guarantee that the operator continues to meet certification program standards, the Water and Wastewater Operator Certificate of Qualification must be renewed every three years. The certification will expire if it is not renewed, at which point it will no longer be valid. Certificates with conditions are not renewable.
Certificate Reactivation
A reactivation occurs if a Water and Wastewater Certificate expires and is later required. To reactivate a certificate, the conditions listed in the Water and Wastewater Operators’ Certification Guidelines must be satisfied.
Starting on July 1, 2021, operators must pay a non-refundable cost of $130 for each discipline that is renewed.
2. Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association, AWWOA Courses
Since 1976, the 2,700 utility system operators in Alberta have had access to expert knowledge and training through the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators Association, a member-run organization.
The Alberta Water Works Operators Association (AWWOA) is committed to giving operators the fundamentals in education, networking, promotion, and continuous support they require to proudly offer Alberta communities safe drinking water and a protected environment.
Courses List
- Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Digital Twins – Implications for W&WW, $350.00
- Basic Chemistry for Operators, $350.00
- Biological Nutrient Removal, $460.00
- Chlorination Workshop, $550.00
- Climate Change Adaptation Options for W&WW Systems in the Prairies, $460.00
- Coaching for Operators, $460.00
- Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs): Implications for Water and Wastewater Systems, $350.00
- Dissolved Air Flotation, $460.00
- Emerging Options for Water and Wastewater Disinfection, $350.00
- Entry Level Training, $460.00
- EXCEL for Operators, $490.00
- Filter Surveillance Workshop, $460.00
- Flowmeter Fundamentals, $350.00
- Hydrant Flow Testing, $350.00
- Hydrant Maintenance and Operation, $500.00
- Level I Certification Preparation, $550.00
- Level I Wastewater Collection Certification Preparation, $300.00
- Level I Water Distribution Certification Preparation, $300.00
- Level II Wastewater Collection Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level II Wastewater Treatment Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level II Water Distribution Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level II Water Treatment Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level III/IV Wastewater Collection Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level III/IV Wastewater Treatment Certification Preparation, $250.00
- Level III/IV Water Distribution Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level III/IV Water Treatment Certification Preparation, $460.00
- Level Measurement Fundamentals, $350.00
- Management and Supervision for Operators, $530.00
- Math & Support Systems for Operators, $460.00
- Mathematics Correspondence Course, $460.00
- Membrane Treatment in Wastewater, $460.00
- Process Control Instrumentation: Basics$460.00
- Process Control Instrumentation: Intermediate, $460.00
- Pumps & Blowers, $460.00
- Pumps & Hydraulics Principles for Operators, $460.00
- Pumps, Motors, and Electrics, $460.00
- Pumps: Theory, Operation, and Maintenance Home Study Course, $460.00
- Responding to Water Main Breaks, $460.00
- Risk Management in W & WW Treatment Systems: Managing Your Risk while Managing Our Water, $460.00
- SCADA for Water Facility Operators, $350.00
- Small Wastewater System Operations, $300.00
- Small Water Systems Operations, $300.00
- Source Control, $460.00
- Source Water Resiliency Planning Options for Water Systems, $350.00
- Technical Drawing Review for Operators, $350.00
- Wastewater Collection Systems, $460.00
- Water Disinfection Workshop, $350.00
- Water Distribution Systems, $460.00
- Water Quality Sampling & Testing for Operators, $350.00
- Water ReUse – Challenges and Opportunities, $350.00
- Water Treatment Plant Operations Correspondence Course, $520.00
- Water Well Operation and Maintenance, $460.00
- Webinar – Benefits of Digital Communication in Instrumentation – getting the most out of your existing devices, $100.00
- Webinar – Change Management & Change Leadership, $100.00
- Webinar – Employee Relations, $100.00
- Webinar – Management & Development of a Workforce, $100.00
- Webinar – Supervision Principles, $100.00
- Webinar – Water and Wastewater Analytical Fundamentals, $100.00
- Your Wastewater Lagoon: The Ins & Outs of Design and Operation, $460.00
3. 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.
Our 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.
Our courses are also offered if you are already employed in the area and need recertification or Continuing Education Units(CEUs) to keep your 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.
Courses taught in the Program
- WWWT100 – Water and Wastewater Level I Primer
- WWWT101 – Water Distribution I
- WWWT102 – Water Treatment I
- WWWT103 – Wastewater Collection Systems I
- WWWT104 – Wastewater Treatment I
- WWWT110 – Science and Math for Water Wastewater Technicians
- WWWT111 – Water Distribution I Lab
- WWWT112 – Hydraulics & Blueprint Reading
- WWWT115 – Water Treatment Lab Analysis I
- WWWT120 – Wastewater Lab Analysis I
- WWWT201 – Water Distribution II
- WWWT202 – Water Treatment II
- WWWT203 – Support Systems for Water Wastewater
- WWWT204 – Wastewater Treatment II
- WWWT210 – Introduction to Process Control
- WWWT211 – Water Distribution II Lab
- WWWT213 – Wastewater Collection Systems II
- WWWT215 – Water Treatment Laboratory Analysis II
- WWWT220 – Wastewater Lab Analysis II
- WWWT233 – Support Systems Lab
- WWWT300 – Safety Awareness for Water and Wastewater Operators
- WWWT301 – Emergency Response Planning for Water and Wastewater Operators
- WWWT302 – Supervisory Skills for Water and Wastewater Operators
- WWWT303 – Business Skills for Water and Wastewater Operators
- WWWT304 – Technical Communications for Water and Wastewater Operators
- WWWT305 – Standards and Regulations for Water and Wastewater Operations
- WWWT306 – Sustainable Operations in the Water and Wastewater Industry
- WWWT311 – Advanced Water Distribution
- WWWT321 – Advanced Water Treatment
- WWWT331 – Advanced Wastewater Collection
- WWWT341 – Advanced Wastewater Treatment
- WWWT351 – Industrial Wastewater Processes
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 Programmes.
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.
Books Required
Small Water System Operation and Maintenance, 6th Edition, 2018, ISBN: 978-1-323-80066-9
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 returned less a $50 administrative fee.
If the notice of withdrawal is submitted fewer than 14 days before the course start date and up to 14 days after the course start date, 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. Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations by Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
Reusing treated wastewater has emerged as a viable solution for reducing the effects of water scarcity. Learn the knowledge and abilities required for a fulfilling career in municipal and commercial water and wastewater systems.
Graduates will gain practical knowledge and skills in the operation of water/wastewater systems, treatment technologies, and related laboratory analyses.
They will be prepared to take industry-required certification tests, such as fourth-class power engineering and water/wastewater treatment, through in-class instruction and recognized work experience.
The following skills will be possessed by program graduates:
- Apply understanding of water/wastewater system processes, including pressure vessels and power-producing equipment, to achieve performance objectives.
- Undertake water analysis tasks to support plant water quality targets.
- Analyze current and historical data to support plant performance choices.
- Operate according to all applicable regulatory requirements;
- Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve optimum process performance; perform elementary preventative maintenance tasks;
- Apply fundamental knowledge of chemistry and biology to maintain process performance; control water/wastewater collection and distribution systems;
- Operate high-pressure boilers and steam systems.
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.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have the following employment options:
- Junior water/wastewater operators
- water treatment and processing company sales positions.
- Working at municipal, industrial, and equipment manufacturing plants as a 4th Class Power Engineer
- in entry-level positions at any plant that produces steam or electricity, at any plant that recycles water, at any firm that provides environmental advice, or at firms developing new water technology systems.
Requirements for International Students
The following courses or their equivalents, completed:
- 50% or more in either English Language Arts 30-1 OR 30-2
- 60% in Math 30-2 or at least 50% in Math 30-1 or Pure Math 30.
- A minimum of 50% in Chemistry 30
- A minimum of 50% in Biology 20
English Language Requirement
- Each skill/category for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is 6.0.
- 60 overall band on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- A minimum score of 20 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for each category.
- Scores of 8 on the Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA) and a minimum of 53 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) are required for each section, respectively.
- Michigan English Test (MELAB): 51 or higher
- Minimum of 105 in Duolingo
With the aid of top-notch facilities, industry knowledge, and hands-on learning, SAIT prepares its students for success in a worldwide marketplace.
6. 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.
Please take note that students accepted into the program before 2022 will be granted transitional time to finish the needed courses and the program under the old structure or be moved into the new program. Please speak with your advisor to make the necessary changes to your program plan.
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
12th grade or an equivalent grade. The programs also take into consideration existing academic and professional experience through the assessment and acknowledgment of prior learning.
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%.
7. Alberta College Takes Wastewater Operator Training Online
Since September 2016, Northern Lakes College (NLC) in Slave Lake, Alberta, has provided an online training program for water and wastewater operator employment.
The program satisfies Alberta Environment’s entry-level training requirements, and no more courses are necessary to sit for the provincial certification exam.
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 earlier said, to become a water treatment operator or technician, you have to undergo a water treatment course and as listed in our article, there are online water treatment courses. So, you can do yourself good by taking any of these courses.
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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.