Water and Waste Water Treatment certificate and degrees help prepare you to take and pass the water and/or waste water treatment exam given by the California Department of Public Health. Join a high demand profession that pays well.

Certificates in Environmental Technology

This certificate covers all aspects of drinking water treatment, drinking water distribution and wastewater treatment. Topics covered will include drinking water sources, water quality/contaminants, water sampling/testing, drinking water treatment techniques, drinking water regulations, record-keeping, safety, customer relations and local government basics. The course also covers drinking water distribution system installation and maintenance of pipes, valves, meters, fire hydrants and storage tanks. Wastewater classes will cover wastewater collection, sampling/testing, pre-treatment, advanced treatment techniques, effluent disinfection, sludge/effluent disposal, regulations, laboratory procedure and administration. These courses are designed to prepare students to take mid-level operator certification exams through the state of California to become water and wastewater operators, which is the first step for working in the water/wastewater utility industry.

Program MapOpen PDF

Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.

Required Courses for this major (18 Total Units)

ENVTC20 Water Distribution System O&M (3 Units)
ENVTC21 Water Treatment Plant Operation (3 Units)
ENVTC22 Water Distribution Systems Level II (3 Units)
ENVTC23 Water Treatment Plant Operation Level II (3 Units)
ENVTC24 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level I (3 Units)
ENVTC25 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level II (3 Units)

Associate Degrees in Environmental Technology

This degree covers all aspects of drinking water treatment, drinking water distribution and wastewater treatment. Topics covered will include drinking water sources, water quality/contaminants, water sampling/testing, drinking water treatment techniques, drinking water regulations, record-keeping, safety, customer relations and local government basics. The degree also covers drinking water distribution system installation and maintenance of pipes, valves, meters, fire hydrants and storage tanks. Wastewater classes will cover wastewater collection, sampling/testing, pre-treatment, advanced treatment techniques, effluent disinfection, sludge/effluent disposal, regulations, laboratory procedure and administration. This degree is designed to prepare students to take mid-level operator certification exams through the state of California to become water and wastewater operators, which is the first step for working in the water/wastewater utility industry. The Associate in Science in Drinking Water and Wastewater Technology prepares students to become supervisors and managers at water districts and water treatment operating companies.

Program MapOpen PDF

Program maps suggest courses to take by semester and include career and transfer information when available.

Required Courses for this major (24–25 Total Units)^†

Required Courses (18 Units)

ENVTC20 Water Distribution System O&M (3 Units)
ENVTC21 Water Treatment Plant Operation (3 Units)
ENVTC22 Water Distribution Systems Level II (3 Units)
ENVTC23 Water Treatment Plant Operation Level II (3 Units)
ENVTC24 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level I (3 Units)
ENVTC25 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level II (3 Units)

Degree Electives (Select any 2 courses) (6.0 – 7.0 Units)

BCA15 Business Computer Applications-Beginning (3 Units)
BIOL15 Bioscience (4 Units)
GNBUS56 Business Mathematics (3 Units)
PHIL2 Ethics (3 Units)
SPECH1 Public Speaking (3 Units)
GNBUS11 Principles of Management (3 Units)

^†Additional courses are required to earn your degree. Talk to a counselor to learn more.

Courses in Environmental Technology

ENVTC20 (3 units)

Water Distribution System O&M

ENVTC21 (3 units)

Water Treatment Plant Operation

ENVTC22 (3 units)

Water Distribution Systems Level II

ENVTC23 (3 units)

Water Treatment Plant Operation Level II

ENVTC24 (3 units)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level I

ENVTC25 (3 units)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level II

ENVTC class schedules

All other class schedules

Courses in Environmental Technology

ENVTC20 Water Distribution System O&M

3 units

Topics covered will include drinking water sources with an emphasis on groundwater wells, pumps, water pipes, valves, hydrants, groundwater quality, chemicals used for water disinfection, state and federal regulations for distribution systems and water sampling techniques for distribution systems. This course will prepare students to take a state certification examination for water distribution systems, which is the first step in working for a public entity that delivers safe drinking water to the public. This class will also count for Continuing Education Credits (contact hours) for existing operators.

Transferable to CSU only

ENVTC21 Water Treatment Plant Operation

3 units

Topics covered will include the drinking water sources (groundwater and surface water), protection of drinking water sources, intake structures, water conveyances, water treatment facilities, water quality verses treatment techniques, chemicals used for water filtration and disinfection, state and federal regulations for surface water sources and water sampling techniques for groundwater and surface water. This course will prepare students to take a state certification examination for water treatment, which is the first step in working for a public water system that treats and delivers safe drinking water to the public. This class will also count for Continuing Education Credits (contact hours) for existing operators.

Transferable to CSU only

ENVTC22 Water Distribution Systems Level II

3 units

Topics covered will include the drinking water distribution system design, system operations, piping materials, water main, meter and fire hydrant installation, water storage, backflow control, information management and public relations. This course will prepare students to take a state certification examination for water treatment level II, which is the first step in working for a public water system that delivers safe drinking water to the public.

Transferable to CSU only

ENVTC23 Water Treatment Plant Operation Level II

3 units

Topics covered will include advanced drinking water treatment techniques. This includes mineral removal, fluoridation, water softening, arsenic removal, membrane filtration processes, disposing of process wastes, maintenance of the treatment plant, advanced lab procedures, drinking water regulations and administration. This course will prepare students to take a state certification examination for water treatment level II, which is the first step in working for a public water system.

Transferable to CSU only

ENVTC24 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level I

3 units

Course content includes wastewater treatment and disposal methods. Topics covered will include wastewater treatment facilities, pretreatment and primary treatment, wastewater treatment methods, disinfection and final effluent disposal. This course will help prepare students to take a state certification examination for wastewater treatment operators, which is the first step in working for a public wastewater system that treats and disposes of wastewater in compliance with state and federal laws.

Transferable to CSU only

ENVTC25 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation Level II

3 units

Covers advanced wastewater treatment techniques, including effluent disposal methods, activated sludge treatment, sludge digestion and disposal, effluent discharge, plant safety, plant maintenance, laboratory procedures, and treatment plant administration. Helps prepare students to take a state certification examination for wastewater treatment. First step in working for a public wastewater utility.