CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Basics of Confined Space
This course covers: Duties of Authorized Entrants, Authorized Attendants and Entry Supervisor, Conducting Hazard Analysis, Non entry, Rescue Emergency Services, and Hands on training with equipment routinely used in confined space work. This course is worth 5 water/wastewater contact hours. This course is available in person or correspondence format.
Securing Water & Wastewater Treatment Facilities DEP
Describe the importance of implementing security at treatment facilities. Discuss the regulations regarding security, identify critical assets, and identify potential threats. Describe the process for protecting critical assets. Describe ways to increase security using tools that deter, detect, delay and respond to threats. Demonstrate the relationship between the tools. Describe common vulnerability assessment elements. Describe the assessment method of common vulnerability analysis templates. Choose an appropriate vulnerability assessment template based on the characteristics of a treatment system. Given a scenario/case-study, perform a vulnerability assessment using a threat and critically matrix. Identify countermeasures to reduce the threat of critically or critical assets. Rank countermeasures on a cost benefit analysis. Describe the importance of being prepared for facility emergencies, including but not limited to security threats. Incorporate security issues into an existing emergency response plan.
This course is worth 5 water/wastewater contact hours.
This course is available in person or in a correspondence format.
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Basics of Lubrication
The purpose of lubrication and how it works, Selecting the right lubricant, How is oil applied to machine – what systems are used? How does oil get contaminated? All about greases- purpose, advantages and disadvantages, Dry Bearings and Solid Lubrication – how do they work?, Sealing of Lubricants inside the machine, Why sample and test lubricants?, Lubricant Handling and Storage, Health Safety.
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours. This course is available in person or correspondence format.
Basic Instrumentation & Process Control
This course demonstrates logical step-by-step design of typical instrumentation and process control systems found in water and wastewater operations. Students participate in creating basic instrumentation and process control designs. This course is worth 7 water/wastewater contact hours.
Water Distribution Exam
This course is based on PA DEP Drinking Water Training Module 8 (Distribution Systems). Supplemental information is provided from PA DEP module 30 (General Safety). The purpose of the course is to provide information relative to the operation of Distribution Systems. It provides the student with classroom training to supplement their field experience. Topics covered include:
Distribution Networks * Components * Hydraulics * System Performance * Operations * Distribution Storage* Maintenance * Water Quality & Monitoring * Disinfection * Monitoring* Enhance Water Quality * Cross Connection Control * Backflow Prevention * General Safety
This course is worth 20 water contact hours Contact hours for in person format only.
This course is available as a private in person class or in a live virtual zoom format.
Please Note Contact Hours Are NOT available for Zoom Format
This course is offered via zoom once a year. If you do not see it on the schedule contact the office to be added to the notification list.
Hypochlorite Disinfection
Overview of the use of sodium or calcium hypochlorite as a disinfectant. Includes mathematical calculations such as percent concentrations, chlorine demands/dose and concentration/time(CT). This course is worth 7 water/wastewater contact hours.
This course is available in person or correspondence format.
Collection System Exam
This course is based on PA DEP Training Modules 23 & 24.
Topics covered include:
* Techniques to increase your study and test taking skills * Types of Collection Systems
* Overview of Wastewater Collection Systems * Regulatory Standards
*Design and Construction of Collections Systems * Installation * Management and Operations
* Cleaning and Inspection * Overview of Pumping Stations * Regulatory Requirements *
*Management and Operations of Pumping Stations * Operation and Maintenance * Safety
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This course is offered via Zoom. Classes are 2 hours weekly for 8 weeks. Student materials are mailed ahead of first class so it is important to register early. Late registrations are accepted and you can catch up on missed classes watching class recordings. Click below to register or contact our office to be added to future class waiting list
Water General Exam Prep
This course is designed to help the operator pass the PA DEP Water General Exam.
Topics covered:
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Responsibilities of water supplier and Treatment Plant Operator
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Public water supply system classifications
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Federal and state regulations
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System management responsibilities
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Introduction to groundwater
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Aquifers
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Overview of disinfection
This course is offered via Zoom. Classes are 2 hours weekly for 10 weeks. Student materials are mailed ahead of first class so it is important to register early. Late registrations are accepted and you can catch up on missed classes watching class recordings. Click below to register or contact our office to be added to future class waiting list
Basic Electricity Principles for Drinking Water & Wastewater Operators
This training program is intended for Water/Wastewater system operators who do not have a background in electrical maintenance but who are familiar with working around typical electrical items found in an industrial environment. Many operators of facilities are expected to troubleshoot and repair problems that affect the water/wastewater process. Occasionally, these problems are electrical in nature and cannot be diagnosed properly by an untrained operator. Personal and public safety could be compromised when individuals without electrical training attempt to repair electrical equipment. This course covers basic electrical theory and highlights safety as a prime consideration. After completion of the course attendees will be able to: Explain basic electrical theory, Explain the hazards associated with electricity, Explain the use and selection of Electrical Protection Devices, Explain the use and selection of Lockout/Tagout devices, Explain the importance of Grounding and Polarity, Demonstrate the use of a DMM, Clamp-on Ammeter, Voltage Sensor, Explain various Distribution Systems common to Treatment Plants.
This course is worth 6.5 water/wastewater contact hours.
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Motors & Motor Control Workshop
Chapter 1: Electrical Safety Procedures and Practices * Chapter 2: Electrical Diagrams and Symbols * Chapter 3: Control Circuits Common to Treatment Plants * Chapter 4: Motors, Operating Principles and Characteristics * Chapter 5: Motor Starters Operations and Maintenance * Chapter 6: Motor Maintenance and Troubleshooting * Chapter 7: Soft Starts and Variable Frequency Drives.
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours.
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Activated Sludge Exam Prep
This is a combination of 2 courses designed to help the operator take the Activated Sludge Subclass Exam. The course covers:
*Activated Sludge Modifications * Microbiology * Equipment Troubleshooting
*Calculating F/M, MCRT, SVI. % return *Biological Nutrient Removal
*Important Definitions * Process Troubleshooting
This course is offered via Zoom. Classes are 2 hours weekly for 10 weeks. Student materials are mailed ahead of first class so it is important to register early. Late registrations are accepted and you can catch up on missed classes watching class recordings. Click below to register or contact our office to be added to future class waiting list
All About Predictive Maintenance
Predictive Maintenance Techniques save money and time. Machines last longer and there are less surprises. Predictive Maintenance techniques such as Oil analysis, Vibration analysis, Ultrasonic, Thermography Will be described and demonstrated during class. We will discuss the cost /benefits of each technique and provide guidance as do which technique should be performed at the plant versus hiring a specialist. Predictive maintenance tools will be available for students use throughout the class.
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours. This course is available in person or correspondence format.
The Truth About Bearings
Machines run on bearings. How much do we know about these vital parts of any machine?
From this course learn the following about bearings
* Their purpose *How they work * How they are classified and categorized *How they fight friction* Why is heat their enemy
* Why they fail* How to avoid their failure and maximize their life *How they are built *Lubrication requirements *
* Which is the right one to use for various situations
Students will be up close with a variety of bearings and will also participate in exercises to install and remove bearings.
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours.
Cross Connection & Backflow Prevention Primer
Topics covered:
Backflow Prevention Methods * Detecting and Mitigating Backflow Occurrences *Current Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention Practices
Provides subject knowledge that can help prepare the student for the DEP Distribution Exam.
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours.
Wastewater General Exam Prep
Topics covered:
List wastewater sources and characteristics, describe why wastewater treatment is needed and the impacts to the receiving stream of untreated wastewater discharge, identify a variety of plant equipment and unit process, understand the elements of preliminary treatment, list a variety of flow measurement techniques, list a variety of secondary treatment methods and describe how they work, list various disinfection techniques and understand their basic concepts, list typical sludge handling unit process and have a basic understanding of how they work, understand the importance of sampling and analysis work as it relates to the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, be familiar with a Discharge Monitoring Report and a facility permit, know the components of a safety program, do basic math related to each unit process.
This course is offered via Zoom. Classes are 2 hours weekly for 18 weeks. Student materials are mailed ahead of first class so it is important to register early. Late registrations are accepted and you can catch up on missed classes watching class recordings. Click below to register or contact our office to be added to future class waiting list
Aspects of Ozone & UV Disinfection
This course is based on PA DEP Water Training Modules 26 and 27 and Wastewater Module 5. The purpose of the course is to provide information relative to Ozone & UV Disinfection and provide the student with classroom training to supplement field experience.
Topics covered include:
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The purpose of disinfecting water and wastewater, Regulatory requirements associated with water and wastewater disinfection, Microbiological Contaminants, Characteristics of ozone and how it is generated, Ozone uses in water and wastewater treatment, Operation of an ozone system, Fundamental aspects of UV disinfection, Use of UV disinfection to meet regulations, Fundamental aspects of UV light, Variables that affect UV Performance, Dosing, Water quality impacts on UV performance, Control strategies for UV Operations, Operational strategies for the UV process, Troubleshooting techniques for the UV process
This course is worth 6 water/wastewater contact hours
Corrosion Control
This course will help operators pass the water subclass 7
Topics covered:
Basic Corrosion Chemistry, Lead and Copper Rule, Basic Units and Conversions, Water Quality Analyses, Corrosion of Lead and Copper, Corrosion Treatment Theory, CCT Chemicals, Chemical Feed, Process Control/Optimization
This course is worth 5 water contact hours.
Gaseous Chlorine Disinfection
This course will help the operator pass the water subclass 11 exam.
This course is based on PA DEP Water and Wastewater Training Modules 5 (Disinfection) and Water Module 25 (Hypo Chlorination). The purpose of the course is to provide information relative to the use of chlorine for disinfection purposes. The course provides students with classroom training to supplement their field experience. Topics covered include:
•Purpose of Disinfection
•Regulatory requirements related to the chlorination and dechlorination of water and wastewater
•Chemistry of chlorination using gas, hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite and chloramines
•Factors influencing disinfection
•Chemistry of dechlorination
•Factors influencing dechlorination
•Microbiology fundamentals - bacteria, viruses, intestinal parasites, cryptosporidium, and giardia
•Application points and uses of chlorine and related disinfectants at water and wastewater facilities
•Control and monitoring of chlorine
•Control and monitoring of dechlorination
•Math associated with contact time, dosage, chlorine residual, chlorine demand, and log removal
This course is worth 5 water/wastewater contact hours.