Water and Wastewater Technology  

 

An Ocean of Opportunity

 

As a water treatment plant operator, you’ll have the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities and water distribution systems. This means that you will be responsible for delivering safe drinking water to a multitude of people. The skills you acquire at PPCC will prepare you to excel in this important field.

No career is more important to the nation’s quality of life, recreation and environmental health and safety than that of caring for its water quality. You might choose this career area if you are interested in working hands-on to help manage water resources to provide water that is safe for consumers to use, and waste water that is safe to return to the environment. You will control the processes and equipment that remove solid materials, microorganisms, and chemical compounds from water, and operate and maintain treatment facility pumps, pipes, valves, and other processing equipment that moves the water through the treatment processes. Want to find out if this career is for you? Click here for more details http://www.acinet.org/. 

Program Description

The degree and certificate program in Water & Wastewater Technology is one of only two in the State of Colorado, and was created in response to critical local need for qualified technicians. The curriculum includes solid foundations in science and math, water and wastewater techniques, group projects, and an internship.

More advanced water industry careers, such as Environmental Engineer, generally require at least a Bachelor’s degree. If you are interested in pursuing such a career, you should enroll in the Associate of Science transfer degree at Pikes Peak Community College, then continue on for a Bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.

You may begin with a certificate, then continue on to complete the Associate of Applied Science degree.

Career Path Notes

If you are already working in the field, the certificate program is a good option to gain additional job skills to qualify for job advancement.

Program Information

Click here for program specific information.

For More Information

Call the Division of Health, Environmental, Natural and Physical Sciences at 719-502-3400.

Employment Opportunities

Employment opportunities in Water Quality Management Technology are available at municipal, county, state and special district levels. Salaries and job security are excellent, and there is high demand nationwide for qualified technicians. Job opportunities include Water Treatment Technician, Water Plant Operator, Wastewater Treatment Technician, Collection System Technician, Distribution System Technician, Small Systems Technician, Operations and Maintenance Supervisor.

Earnings Outlook

In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators was $19.87, with a salary range of $11.92 – $27.18. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 110 job openings per year statewide. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Financial Aid

www.ppcc.edu/FinancialAid

Advising

www.ppcc.edu/Advising

Apply

www.ppcc.edu/Apply

Find Out More About Your Future Career
Contact Career Planning and Advising at (719) 502-3232
www.ppcc.edu/Advising  

 

 

Associate of Applied Science Degree

 

1st Semester - Fall
MAT 121 College Algebra
WQM 100 Introduction to Water Quality
WQM 106 Mechanical-Physical Treatment
WQM 116 Conventional Surface Water Treatment
WQM 126 Safety in Water Quality Industry
Semester 1 Credit Hours 16

2nd Semester - Spring
CHE 111 General College Chemistry I with Lab
ENG 121 English Composition I
 or
ENG 131 Technical Writing I
WQM 105 Specific Calculations for Water Quality Management
WQM 109 Water Distribution
WQM 118 Wastewater Collections Systems
Semester 2 Credit Hours 17

3rd Semester - Fall
BIO 111 General College Biology I with Lab
CIS 118 Introduction to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
PHY 111 Physics: Algebra-Based I with Lab
WQM 119 Basic Water Quality Analysis
Semester 3 Credit Hours 16

4th Semester - Spring
BIO 204 Microbiology: SC1
COM 115 Public Speaking
 or
COM 225 Organizational Communication
WQM 127 Utility Management
WQM 212 Drinking Water Regulations
Semester 4 Credit Hours 13

Total Credit Hours 62

 

Certificates

Small Systems
Water Distribution
Water Treatment
Wastewater Collection
Wastewater Treatment