Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Summer 2024. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.

 

Water Treatment and Distribution System Operations

Seneca College Certificate

 

Overview

This part-time online certificate program provides learners with the knowledge and skills required to work in the water treatment operations industry, an industry which plays a critical role in protecting public health and the natural environment through the responsible treatment of drinking water. To enter the operating profession, individuals must become certified. Graduates of this program will have sufficient knowledge to write various level certification examinations. Courses within this program may also be of interest to water operators who are seeking director-approved continuing education units (CEUS) that are recognized by the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO).

Learners interested in obtaining Class 1 certification must complete the Entry-Level Course (ELC) for Drinking Water Operators which is a mandatory course, developed by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, for all drinking water operators. The ELC course is not included in this certificate program but can be completed via the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.

Once registered for your online course(s), students will receive log-in information and credential(s) access via myseneca.ca (student e-mail account) on the first day of the online class(es).

Career Opportunities

Water operators serve their communities by protecting public health and the natural environment through the responsible treatment of drinking water and wastewater. Due to the demand for clean water, positions in the water/wastewater industry will always be present. People who enjoy working with their hands and have an interest in biology, chemistry, and mathematics are well-suited for this profession. Opportunities can be found throughout the province in municipalities as well as with various operating authorities across Ontario.

Certified operators are responsible for performing duties such as conducting operational checks; adjusting, testing, or evaluating a process that controls the effectiveness or efficiency of a drinking water subsystem or wastewater facility; and adjusting or directing flow, pressure, or quality of water or wastewater.

This certificate is intended for those wanting to work in the water industry as well and for current water operators in the water industry who are seeking professional development opportunities. This certificate can open doors that will lead to a variety of careers in the drinking water industry and those completing it will have potential to be a vital member of the water operations team.

Employment areas include:

  • Water treatment operator
  • Water distribution operator
  • Field technician
  • Environmental inspector
  • Sampling technician
  • Municipal inspector

Entry Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent with:

  • Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
  • Grade 12 Mathematics: (C) or (U) or Grade 11 Mathematics: MCR3(U)

OR

Mature Student Status (age 19 or older) with the above prerequisite course(s), their equivalent(s) or appropriate Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate program credits (see Academic Upgrading).

Students are strongly encouraged to observe listed course pre-requisites unless they have a good understanding of electrical theory or have previous industrial experience in electrical and power systems.

Filter Classes: In Class     Online     Correspondence     Hybrid     Availability   

Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.

Curriculum

WAT100
Applied Math for Water and Wastewater Operation
Availability
 

This course is intended to provide students with the basics of math and chemistry as applicable to the operation of water and wastewater systems. The basic concepts in unit conversions, area, volume calculations, and density are discussed. Students are introduced to math for chemistry under the topics of concentration, feed solutions, liquid chemicals, molarity, normality, and organic loading. The main objective of the course is to lay a solid foundation in math and chemistry concepts which are required to understand and apply to the operation of water and wastewater systems. This course will prepare students for the math component in various levels of operator certification examinations with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.




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WAT101
Applied Hydraulics for Water and Waste Operations
Availability
 

This course is intended to provide students with the basics of hydraulics as applicable to the operation of water and wastewater systems. The basic concepts in flow, detention time, pressure, energy, head, and power are discussed. Students are introduced to the use of continuity and energy concepts. The application of continuity and energy equation is illustrated by numerical problems from the areas of water and wastewater. The main objective of the course is to lay a solid foundation in hydraulics concepts which is required to understand and apply to the operation of water and wastewater systems. This course will prepare students for the hydraulic component in various levels of operator certification examinations.




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WTD100
Drinking Water Operator in Training Certification Preparation
Availability
 

This course will introduce the fundamental concepts related to the operation of water treatment and distribution systems. It covers concepts in science and math including conversions, chemistry, hydraulics, and electricity. In addition, other topics include support systems relating predominantly to pumps, motors and processes in water treatment and water distribution. This course will prepare students to write the Drinking Water Operator-In-Training certification examination with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.




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WTD101
Water Treatment Certification Level I and II
Availability
 

Prerequisite(s):

WTD100, Drinking Water Operator-In-Training Certification Prep, or successful completion of Ministry OIT certification exam.

This course covers practices, theories, and applications relevant to sources of water supply, treatment processes, quality parameters and plant operations. In addition, related concepts in chemistry, hydraulics, equipment, safety and legislation are also reinforced. Students should have already passed the Drinking Water Operator-In-Training certification examination or equivalent.




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WTD102
Water Treatment Certification Level III and IV
Availability
 

Prerequisite(s):

WTD101, Water Treatment Level I & II, or Water class I operator license.

The purpose of this course is to present advanced knowledge and practices, theories, and applications relevant to sources of water supply, treatment processes, quality parameters and plant operations. In addition, topics including disinfection, water softening, fluoridation, iron and manganese removal and water stabilization will be discussed in more detail and depth. The topics covered in Wastewater Treatment Certification Level I & II are covered in more detail and depth. This course will prepare students to write higher-level certification examinations in water treatment.




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WTD103
Water Distribution Certification Level I and II
Availability
 

Prerequisite(s):

WCT100, Wastewater Operator-In-Training Certification Prep, or successful completion of Ministry OIT certification exam.

The purpose of this course is to present advanced knowledge and practices, theories, and applications relevant to sources of water supply, treatment processes, quality parameters and plant operations. In addition, topics including disinfection, water softening, fluoridation, iron and manganese removal and water stabilization will be discussed in more detail and depth. The topics covered in Wastewater Treatment Certification Level I & II are covered in more detail and depth. This course will prepare students to write higher-level certification examinations in water treatment.




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Program Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Formulate unit conversions and area and volume calculations of various devices and pipes in water and wastewater systems.
  2. Differentiate between SI and USC systems of measurement; mass and weight terms.
  3. Calculate concentration, feed solution rate, amount of liquid chemical required to prepare solutions of given strength, molarity, normality and organic loading.
  4. Apply the principles of hydraulics to find flow rates, pressures and pumping head and power in water flow systems.
  5. Calculate the operating efficiency of pump and determine its performance; determine pump power for given operating conditions.
  6. Operate pumps, motors, valves and other commonly used devices in water systems.
  7. Identify safety and water legislation.
  8. Identify the principles and importance of disinfection of water in relation to parameters of water quality and sampling requirements for compliance and process control.
  9. Describe the main processes and operations employed in water treatment and explain the processes and equipment employed in water distribution systems.
  10. Describe the principle of coagulation and flocculation and factors affecting these processes.
  11. Explain sedimentation and understand the importance of filtration and basic components.
  12. Describe various methods of disinfecting water and familiarization with miscellaneous methods including, softening and iron removal.

Graduation/Convocation

When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).

For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Minimum Performance for Graduation

A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.

A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.

Residency Requirements

A faculty of Seneca College may recommended a student for a certificate, diploma or degree only after the student has earned a minimum of twenty-five percent of the credit for that program at Seneca.

Program Contacts

Cherry Langlois
Program Assistant
Cherry.Langlois@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0716


Jacqueline Bar
Academic Program Manager
Jacqueline.Bar@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0984