Training for the Next Generation
Water utilities nationwide face a challenge to attracting a talented workforce. Changing technologies and an ageing workforce deepen the need to create a pipeline for recruiting and training a utility workforce for the 21st century.
One of The Water Tower’s Founding Partners, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, is one of the key entities responsible for training and certifying utility operators in the state. Our goal is to augment their already robust training. This will be done by creating new, specialized water-utility curricula that complement certification courses by focusing on specific areas, working with vendors to provide technical training on innovative technologies, and bringing staff out of the classroom and into the field.
The Water Tower provides a three pronged training program to provide a real-world experience for students through a combination of in the field training, traditional classroom training, and online courses. Classroom courses are underway, and our field training center and online course catalog are coming soon- stay tuned!
Training Course descriptions
Maintenance Technologist III
Continuing Education Points: 12
Course Duration: 24 hours
The Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Maintenance Technologist (MT) Certification program is a voluntary certification program that follows the same levels as the Association of Boards of Certification Plant Maintenance Technologist Certification. The Maintenance Technologist III is the basic course that introduces students to the field of maintenance in the water industry.
Major Topics:
- Water treatment
- Cross-Connections
- Water Quality, Sampling, & Analysis
- Hydraulics
- Pumps
- Level Control and Flow Recording
- Engines, Motors, & Drives
- Valves
- Electrical, Breakers, & Fuses
Maintenance Technologist II
Continuing Education Points: 12
Course Duration: 24 hours
The Maintenance Technologist Class II Certification is the second certification in the MT series. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the maintenance field as it pertains to the water industry. Upon successful completion of this course students are eligible to sit for the Maintenance Technologist Class II Certification
Major Topics:
- Cross-Connections
- Water Quality, Sampling, & Analysis
- Hydraulics
- Pumps
- Level Control and Flow Recording
- Engines, Motors, & Drives
- Valves
- Electrical, Breakers, & Fuses
Class II Wastewater Treatment
Continuing Education Points: 12
Course Duration: 24 Hours
The Class II Wastewater Treatment course is a course for GA Class II Wastewater Operator candidates or other wastewater treatment professionals seeking to advance their laboratory skills. This course provides half of the required advanced training hours for the GA Class II Wastewater Operator exam. This course is also useful for obtaining GA Class I Wastewater Operator Certification.
Major Topics:
- Suspended Media Treatment
- Mathematical Calculations
- Secondary Treatment
- Sludge Treatment
- Disinfection
Wastewater Lab Analyst
Continuing Education Points: 12 (Wastewater)
Course Duration: 30 hours (27 Basic Wastewater Lab, 24 Advanced Wastewater)
The Wastewater Laboratory Analyst course is designed for individuals interested in obtaining the GA Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certification. This course is a classroom/laboratory hybrid where students will perform many hands-on exercises. The course provides the required training hours for the GA Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certification and half of the required advanced training hours for the GA Class II Wastewater Operator exam.
Major Topics:
- Plant Operation
- Sampling
- Process Control vs. Regulatory Reporting
- Solution Chemistry
- Calibration
- QA/QC
- Safety
- Hands-on Procedures
Class II Water Treatment
Continuing Education Points: 12
Course Duration: 24 Hours
A course for GA Class II Drinking Water Operator candidates. This course expands on the topics covered in the Class III Drinking Water Treatment course and provides half of the required advanced training hours for the GA Class II Drinking Water Operator exam. This course is also useful for obtaining GA Class I Drinking Water Operator Certification.
MAJOR TOPICS:
- Water Chemistry
- Preliminary Treatment Chemicals
- Coagulation/Flocculation
- Jar Testing
- Filter Optimization
- Disinfection
- Water Plant Safety
Activated Sludge Part 1
Continuing Education Points: 12 (Wastewater)
Course Duration: 12 Hours (Advanced)
A classroom course to help any wastewater treatment professional strengthen their understanding of the process and how to control it.
MAJOR TOPICS:
- Overview of Suspended Media Treatment
- Modifications of Processes
- Unit Processes & Their Functions
- Long-Term Process Control
- Math Application to System Operation
Activated Sludge Part 2
Continuing Education Points: 12 (Wastewater)
Course Duration: 12 hours (Advanced)
A hands-on laboratory course that compliments Part 1. Students will spend time performing process control testing on the process.
MAJOR TOPICS:
- Short-Term Process Control
- Oxygen Uptake Rate
- Sludge Quality
- Practical Application of Data