Preparing Graduates To Work In Water Treatment

The Advanced Water Systems Operation and Management Co-op

The Advanced Water Systems Operation and Management program will prepare graduates to work in water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater treatment, related work in industry, as well as inspection or enforcement.

Program Highlights

The management of water operations and wastewater treatment ensures safe water, sustainable infrastructure, and a healthy environment. The provision of potable water and the effective treatment of the municipal and industrial wastewater streams are growing fields in the environmental sector. The Ontario government has passed into law rigorous training requirements for water and wastewater treatment operators, in response to recommendations made in the Walkerton Commission of Inquiry reports. Under the Safe Water Drinking Act, operators require training and certification to run these systems safely. This one-year Graduate Certificate program in Advanced Water Systems Operations and Management will provide you with:

• The opportunity to do real, hands-on manipulation of equipment and data collection, learning about water systems operation in our labs and wet-work facilities.
• Faculty expertise to guide you in understanding government regulations on the treatment of water and wastewater in this highly regulated and changing industry.
• The knowledge needed to pass the Ministry of Environment Licensing and Certification exams for Water and Wastewater Operators.
• Project management skills, essential to your success in this field.
• The knowledge and practical expertise to assist and lead organizations and government agencies in the provision of drinking water and the treatment of wastewater.

Co-op Experience

You will work for 12 weeks in a facility or industrial setting, applying your learning under the guidance of a mentor, during this paid, co-op experience. Please note: students pay tuition and fees for two semesters of study, plus a co-op fee of approximately $521.00 (to cover administrative fees related to the co-op).

Career Opportunities

This program has been designed to be forward-thinking, incorporating industry trends, job requirements and legislation requirements, to prepare graduates for this work. Employment opportunities include work in municipalities with water and wastewater treatment systems, in water-use industries, in inspection or environmental monitoring agencies. Employment in this sector is expected to increase due to upcoming retirements, environmental factors and changes in legislation.

As a graduate, you will be considered an Operator in Training and can use this program as a pathway to the Level 1 Operator. The 12-week co-op counts towards the 12 months of experience required for Level 1. With successive experience, you can move through higher levels into roles such as municipal management, government inspector, or public works supervisor. Employment opportunities are also available in industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

Northern Ontario offers growing employment opportunities, particularly for those with experience in wastewater treatment in cold climates. International work in wastewater and water treatment, particularly in countries where water and wastewater infrastructure are being developed, are other potential career options.

Trends to Note

The management of urban infrastructure in Ontario will face challenges as a result of urban population increases, water quality and quantity, changes in energy supply and climate changes that may lead to extreme weather events. Aging, deteriorating infrastructure, new technologies and new infrastructure design are other factors that water/wastewater facility managers and operators need to be able to anticipate and respond to appropriately.

Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment

The Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT), located on-campus, is recognized internationally for its applied research, specializing in innovative and emerging wastewater treatment using low cost, high efficiency, environmentally-sound technologies. CAWT has received $10.1 million in funding for applied research as of 2013. The Centre provides student learning opportunities through tours, lectures, participation in applied research lab experiments, pilot projects, field work and student-technician employment and internships.

Program Format

This program is 37 weeks in duration, in a more condensed format than the traditional school 45-week school year. There are two, 12-week semesters, followed by the 12-week co-operative education placement. It concludes with a week-long series of presentations and co-op evaluations.

Laboratory and field work are incorporated throughout the program as are field trips to a variety of water treatment and wastewater treatment operations. Normally, course and lab work take place on-site for four days per week while one day per week is devoted to field work, site visits, and applied project work in teams.

To be responsive to industry and technological change, the program is designed in a series of 11 courses (modules). This modular format provides opportunities for those employed in the field to take some of the modules that are of interest for professional development. For example, operators may be interested in increasing their knowledge and skills in areas such as project management and industrial operations.

Source: Fleming College

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Taxonomy

• Job Function
• Treatment
• Sludge Separation