Operator Education > Courses

Operator Education Course Descriptions

If you would like to request that BCWWA hold a course in your area please download and fill out the "Training Needs Form"

Applied Computer Skills For Operators Level I

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

This course is designed to give operators the knowledge and confidence to expand their use of computers. All participating operators will be invited to complete a detailed questionnaire to assess their knowledge and interest levels. The instructor will review this information and then proceed with a balanced course that addresses a wide range of topics to be covered over the two-day course duration. This course is designed to provide operators with practical ideas, short cuts and timely tips on best computer applications, and how to ensure in their work environment that day-to-day tasks are easier to perform. In this regard, operators will be taught a basic working knowledge of all the current Office programs. They will also receive introductory instruction in SCADA, GPS, PDAs and other useful proprietary programs.

Applied Computer Skills for Operators Level II

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

This course is for operators who already have computer skills equivalent to the Level 1 Applied Computer Skills course. Participating operators will be invited to complete a detailed questionnaire to determine their specific skill set and, after the instructor has analyzed the questionnaires, the following subject matter will be covered in a timely fashion: basic networking; intermediate office skills; GPS for asset location; computer hardware upgrading; PLC Interfaces and; field use of GIS technologies. In addition, if time and interest is warranted, there will be further discussions on moving applications into the field with wireless technology.

Chlorine Handling

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course is recommended for operators who work with chlorine and prepares the participants to write the Chlorine Handler's Exam. The course covers the following important topics: water quality and disinfection, alternate types of disinfection, chlorine measuring & equipment, water distribution and treatment, hypochlorination, system design and maintenance and practical math for operators. The safe handling and shipping of chlorine as well as safety and emergency response procedures are also explained.

Confined Spaces

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

This course provides knowledge for all aspects of working in confined spaces. Topics include atmospheric hazards and monitoring, ventilation, equipment, as well as lockout, isolation and rescue procedures.

Cross Connection Control

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

Topics include what backflow prevention is, causes of backflow, degree of hazard, degree of risk, degree of possibility, health aspects, legal aspects, types of backflow prevention assemblies, installation standards, testing procedures (USC procedures adopted for British Columbia), safety procedures awareness and sample ordinances. Recommended for plumbers who install backflow prevention devices.

Dam Inspection and Maintenance

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

Organizing and preparing a dam safety inspection, and evaluation of dams, evaluation of dam stability, identification of visual deficiencies, evaluation of seepage conditions, of spillways and outlets, hydraulic and hydrologic adequacy, and inspection, testing of gates, valves, and other mechanical systems. Recommended for operators who maintain dam safety.

Environmental Laboratory Procedures

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course is designed to help plant operators and/or laboratory personnel understand the interaction on water and wastewater constituents, by observing their reactions in a laboratory environment.

Hydrants

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

This course emphasizes hydrant selection, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and budgeting. Participants will be involved with hands-on maintenance of different types of hydrants.

Leak Detection

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

This course is designed to provide participants with the knowledge in all aspects of leak detection. Important topics covered include: water use patterns, water balance & audit, loss reduction strategies, and detection equipment use. Course also includes a hands-on practice session.

Managing Small Water Systems

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.3

Recommended participants: managers, operations staff, trustees, councillors and anyone involved directly or indirectly with water systems. The Managing Small Water Systems course focuses on the basic fundamentals of managing and operating a well-run water system. This includes:
- establishing best practices for managing assets and maintaining a system
- developing effective communication
- exploring key planning tools and sustainable operations
- establishing effective governance and management functions
- hiring the right staff and consulting with the public
- identifying the basics of project delivery
- establishing proper budgeting
- understanding legal requirements
The course is participatory and involves several group exercises.

Sewer Infiltration and Metering

Course Length: 1 Day

This one-day course covers most aspects of flow monitoring including metering collection system flows, types of meters, data that is available, relationship to SCADA systems and safety issues surrounding data collection.

Sewer System Pumps

Course Length: 1 Day

This course covers all aspects of centrifugal pump theory, application, selection, operation, repair and maintenance of pumps utilized in collection and processing of sanitary sewers. This course will focus on types of bearings, seals, impellers, shafts, and wear rings. Pump packing to seal conversion will be demonstrated. The aspects of maintenance addressed will include requirements of frequency of maintenance, as well as alignment of equipment and effect of vibration.

Shoring & Utility Location Awareness

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

This course covers the practices involved in safely marking and excavating utility locations. This includes mapping, locating, and marking utility sites for excavation. There is also an emphasis placed on safe excavation guidelines as well as hazard recognition.

Small Wastewater Systems

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

This course provides a basic knowledge and information needed to operate small wastewater collections and treatment systems. Topics include basic hydraulics, electricity and need to know mathematics, as well as overviews of system components, structures and group discussions on mechanical concepts and operations strategies and trouble shooting practices. Suitable for operators and/or custodians operating small wastewater systems with population of less than 500 on a part time or full time, and needing to acquire knowledge and information to operate said systems efficiently and economically. Upon completion of the course, students will have satisfied the training requirements which, combined with appropriate experience, will make them eligible to write the Small Water Systems exam for the Environmental Operators Certification Program.

Small Water Systems

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

The Small Water Systems course provides a working knowledge of water distribution and water treatment practices and focuses on the basic aspects of system construction, operation, and maintenance. This course will be of value to all operators of water distribution and/or water treatment systems, particularly those that serve a population of less than 500. Upon completion of the course, students will have satisfied the training requirements which, combined with appropriate experience, will make them eligible to write the Small Water Systems exam for the Environmental Operators Certification Program.

Supervisory & Leadership Skills

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

A two-day course that covers "core" concepts of supervising in a water and/or wastewater utility. This course is designed for new as well as experienced supervisors. Subject matter covered includes: basic management; communications; mechanisms for resolving conflict; coaching; performance assessment tools; staff issues; supervising in a union environment; customer service; interviewing and recruiting; discipline; budgeting and controls. All participants receive a textbook and presentation materials. Two-day course. We will be revising this course for 2007 and are considering an online component.

Unidirectional Flushing

Course Length: 1 Day
CEUs: 0.6

This one-day course covers topics such as understanding the benefits of unidirectional flushing, planning and implementing a unidirectional flushing program and dealing with troubleshoot programs.

Valves and Actuators

Course Length: 1 Day

This course emphasizes selection, application, repair, maintenance and adjustments of gate valves, butterfly valves, pressure reducing valves, check valves and air release valves. The course will also cover electric and hydraulic actuator installation and maintenance. The student will learn the purpose and functions of torque and limit switches, and potentiometers. Limit and torque switches will be adjusted in class. A wide range of application of diaphragm operated globe type valves will be discussed.

Wastewater Collection Level I

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course covers fundamental aspects of wastewater collection, including reviewing pipe materials, lift station and pump operation, related maintenance procedures, need to know math applications, and safety procedures. Instruction consists of practical applications in BC. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWC I.

Wastewater Collection Level II

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This is an intermediate level course involving the operation of a wastewater collection system. It is designed to build on the concepts and principles introduced in Wastewater Collection I, and covers a variety of design theory and practical applications related to this subject. Instruction consists of practical applications in BC. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWC II.

Wastewater Collection Level III

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This is an advanced course involving the operation of a wastewater collection system. This course builds on the concepts introduced in Wastewater Collection II and consists of a variety of topics including; advanced mathematics, wastewater chemistry, administrative skills, pipe design and construction control, sewer construction, system maintenance and pump mechanics. Instruction also consists of practical applications in BC. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWC III.

Wastewater Treatment Level I

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course will provide operators with the basic knowledge of wastewater treatment plant components and treatment methods used with varying degrees of complexity. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWT I.

Wastewater Treatment Level II

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This is an intermediate course covering all core areas of water treatment including: detailed treatment processes and systems, emerging technologies, mathematics and complex chlorine and chemical problem solving involving flow and filtration rates and enhanced safety components. Troubleshooting tips, maintenance details and introductory management practices are also covered. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWT II.

Wastewater Treatment Level III/IV

Course Length: 5 Days
CEU's: 2.4

This advanced course will cover all aspects of organic and inorganic activity in wastewater through all stages and methods of wastewater treatment, as well as solids digestion, handlers and methods of effluent and bio-solids disposal. In addition focuses on wastewater treatment operation supervision and management. Additional instruction topics include basic management principles and concepts, operational and maintenance control options as well as safety program administration. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WWT III/IV.

Water & Wastewater Operations

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.7

This five-day introductory course provides basic knowledge and information on all areas of municipal water and wastewater operations; including water distribution, water treatment, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment systems and how these systems are integrated in a municipal public works setting. The course provides certified operators with cross training and refresher training in all four components of water and wastewater operations. For non-operators, the course provides the foundation knowledge for people entering or planning on entering the water and wastewater operations field. The course will also be beneficial to non-operators such as technicians, pubic works support staff, supervisors, managers and regulators who wish to increase their knowledge of water and wastewater system operations from an operator's viewpoint. A course certificate is awarded to students attending and passing the Waster & Wastewater Course exam.
Course topics include federal, provincial and municipal water and wastewater legislation, mathematics for operators, computer applications and use, water sources and treatment processes, disinfection methods including chlorine and UV, water quality and sampling, water system components, construction and maintenance, wastewater characteristics and collection systems, lift stations, treatment processes, wastewater operation and maintenance, working safely with excavations, chlorine, confined space, lone worker, lockout, emergency planning, data and records, and customer service.
This course provides EOCP certified operators 2.7 CEUs and allows any certified operator regardless of certificates held, to fully comply with the EOCP CEU requirements.

Water Distribution Level I

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This introductory course provides a basic knowledge of water distribution practices and focuses on the practical aspects of system construction, operation and maintenance. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as WDI.

Water Distribution Level II

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course provides an advanced appreciation of water distribution practices and focuses on the practical aspects of construction, operation and maintenance of water distribution. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WD II. systems.

Water Distribution Level III

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This course is an advanced technical session with emphasis on supervision, maintenance, higher level mathematics, and basic computer skills. The course material will be of value to operators, supervisors, designers and managers. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WD III.

Water Meter Selection, Operation and Maintenance

Course Length: 1 Day

This hands-on one-day course will cover the selection, operation, and maintenance of water meters and trends in meter reading communications technology. An in service field test will be performed to give participants the opportunity to apply methods, and work with job related equipment.

Water Quality for Distribution Operators

Course Length: 3 Days
CEUs: 1.8

This three-day course will covers topics such as understanding the characteristics of raw water quality and their influence on treatment plant goals; identifying the various water treatment plant disinfection processes available and evaluate their potential water quality risks; understanding risk practices detrimental to water quality in the distribution system when working on valves, pipelines, pumps and reservoirs; learning how to correctly collect and prepare for shipment water samples for laboratory analysis; identifying components of a cross connection program and potential risks in the distribution system; and monitoring water quality from source through to distribution system and minimizing detrimental effects to water quality during operation.

Water Sampling: Source to Tap

Course Length: 2 Days
CEUs: 1.2

This two-day hands on course covers the source water and distribution system sampling programs. Topics include compliance monitoring, design and installation of sampling stations, common practices for routine sample collection procedures, complaint handling, and emergency response sampling.

Water System Pumps

Course Length: 1 Day

This one-day course covers water source (groundwater and surface) management and protection, distribution overview and centrifugal pump application. Pump applications will include types of positive displacement pumps, centrifugal pumps and drives. The principal of centrifugal theory, the Pump Performance Analysis including suction lift and discharge head capacities will also be addressed.

Water Treatment Level I

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This introductory course provides a basic knowledge of water treatment processes focusing on the practical aspects of plant operations. Recommended for operators who maintain a facility classified as a WT I.

Water Treatment Level II

Course Length: 5 Days
CEUs: 2.4

This is an intermediate level course covering all core areas including: detailed treatment processes and systems, emerging technologies, mathematics and complex chlorine and chemical problem solving involving flow and filtration rates and, enhanced safety components. Troubleshooting tips, maintenance details, introductory management practices, and a thorough review of WT Level I is also undertaken in this course.

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