Environmental Technology

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• review and reinforce basic math skills for quantitative analysis, calculating operation criteria, and solving problems associated with water and wastewater operations.
• organize data and develop basic graphs and charts to plot data and demonstrate process understanding of water and wastewater operations.
• calculate operational conditions and perform quantitative analysis of static and dynamic hydraulic conditions and systems (for example, hydraulic grade line, flow, velocity, friction loss, surface/filter/weir loading rates, detention time, dosing rates, well hydraulics, and horsepower equations).
• analyze the mathematical aspects of basic chemistry principles related to water/wastewater, and perform quantitative analysis of chemical dosing, mixing, and percent strengths of solutions.
• demonstrate the ability to perform the calculations required for controlling the various wastewater treatment processes and water treatment processes.
• manage spreadsheet and SCADA applications to interpret and analyze numerical data sets.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• evaluate the role of science in water and wastewater operations, including scientific laws and theories, scientific method, and how these provide a foundation for environmental technology fields, including water and wastewater.
• evaluate physical laws and principles associated with water/wastewater, including gravity settling, static pressure, energy and dynamics in water systems, and flow continuity.
• conceive basic chemistry principles, the structure and classification of matter, hypothesize chemical reactions and bonding, and predict the impact of commonly used chemicals on water and wastewater processes.
• solve water/wastewater chemistry problems involving chemical balancing, atomic mass, percent strength, concentrations, and molar solutions; quantify feed rates and dosing of chemicals.
• assess the role of microorganisms in water and wastewater operations, and how the presence or absence of microorganisms has a significant impact on water and wastewater operations.
• demonstrate laboratory testing of water and wastewater to control operations of water and wastewater treatment plants. Testing will include pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, BOD, volatile solids, chlorination concentrations, BTU content and biosolids chemistry.
• recognize and implement the need for safe laboratory practices.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• assess electrical phenomenon, including volts, amps, resistance, capacitance, frequency, conductors, etc.
• distinguish and identify modern control devices including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), supervisory and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, relays, operators interfaces, set points, data communication systems, data collection and reporting, alarms, etc.
• demonstrate and understand the types, functions, and use of flow control devices, including flow meters, globe valves, modulating valves, pneumatic systems, Parshall flumes, sonic and magnetic flow measuring devices, registers and reading devices and systems, hydropneumatic tanks, etc.
• compile and categorize the types, functions, and use of pressure measuring devices, including gauges, sonics, transducers, Bourdon tube (Mercoid), pressure reducing valves, pressure sustaining valves, pressure relief valves, etc.
• identify various types of motor control devices, including starters, surge protection, VFD's, overload protection, heaters, housings, vibration, start/stop delays, horsepower, efficiencies and costs, matching motors and pumps, and other important components associated with electric motors.
• describe the type, use, and function of chemical analyzing and feed/dosing systems, including chlorine analyzers, turbidimeters, DO probes and meters and other instruments used for automated monitoring and control.
• evaluate general electrical safety and maintenance practices, emergency backup power systems, security systems, chlorine scrubbers, etc.
• demonstrate operations and maintenance of instrumentation and control as prescribed in relevant manuals.
• calculate instrumentation unit scaling.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the local and regional hydrology of California and explain the variability of rainfall locally and throughout California and the United States.
• analyze water usage and the need for a practical water management program.
• describe the benefits of a sound water quality program to ensure that there are standards for water supply and wastewater disposal.
• explain the basic processes of identifying sources of water supply, both groundwater and surface water, including collection, treatment, storage and distribution.
• explain the basic processes of wastewater treatment, including collection, treatment, disposal, solids management and recycled water.
• describe the importance of a safety program for both water and wastewater systems.
• describe the regulatory structure in California for water and wastewater operating procedures.
• explain the licensing program for water and wastewater treatment plant operators, distribution and collection system operators.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the type of work performed by a Grade 1 (T-1) water treatment plant operator, understand the types of jobs they can perform and know what is necessary to get hired. The instructor will also explain the licensing procedures for water and wastewater operators.
• describe the various drinking water sources, types of drinking water treatment processes, the equipment used for each treatment process and typical maintenance and operations for activities associated with gravity settling treatment.
• explain the safety issues involved with the gravity settling drinking water process.
• explain the type of work performed by a Grade 1 wastewater treatment plant operator, understand the types of jobs they can perform and know what is necessary to get hired. The instructor will also explain the licensing procedures for water and wastewater operators.
• describe preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes when the treatment uses trickling filters, rotating biological contactors, and stabilization ponds.
• identify the safety issues involved with the fixed film reactor and pond processes for treating wastewater.
• describe the disinfection processes and chlorine reactions with water.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• explain the principles of the activated sludge process and the factors that influence and control the process.
• describe the various mechanical and diffused aeration systems.
• recognize factors that would indicate the need to trouble shoot the operation of the activated sludge system.
• explain the principles of solids handling and the factors that influence and control the process; including sludge digestion, thickening, dewatering, and beneficial reuse.
• identify the safety issues involved with activated sludge and solids handling systems.
• explain the emergence of contaminants in groundwater and surface waters.
• describe advanced treatment systems for groundwater and surface water contamination; including oxidation, ion exchange, membranes and activated carbon.
• identify the safety issues involved that accompany new advanced treatment systems.
• describe the disinfection processes and chlorine reactions with water.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• identify the various safety issues that are present at a water or wastewater organization.
• create, using a template a safety plan for a water system
• describe the asset management history, engineering and political and economic challenges of our water and wastewater infrastructure.
• identify key elements of implementing a water and wastewater asset management program.
• identify the goals and objectives for the emergency response plan.
• create an emergency response plan for a water or wastewater treatment plant.
• explain the processes needed to qualify any renewable energy opportunity.
• evaluate the financial and environmental benefits of a renewable energy supply program.
• research, identify and describe current issues in drinking water operations.
• identify and describe opportunities for remediation of the issues identified.
• research, identify and describe current issues in wastewater operations.
• identify and describe opportunities for remediation of the issues identified.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• describe the type of work performed by collection system operators and distribution system operators.
• list and explain the elements and facilities of a wastewater collection system and a distribution system and explain their purposes.
• assess wastewater collection systems and the basic operation and maintenance of wastewater collection systems.
• explain the type of maintenance issues that are faced by distribution system workers.
• describe the safety issues associated with collection facilities and distribution systems, including comprehension of safe chemical handling procedures.
• recognize the importance of backflow prevention and cross connection control. Identify the water quality issues in distribution systems.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• apply industry knowledge and theoretical concepts in a field of study or career as written in the minimum 3 learning objectives created by the student and his/her employer or work site supervisor at the start of the course.
• manage personal career plans and decision making using industry & workforce information and online resources.
• behave professionally and ethically, exhibit adaptability, initiative, self-awareness and self-management as needed.
• exhibit effective communication, collaboration, and leadership skills at work with consideration to workplace dynamics and social and diversity awareness.
• demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills as they apply to the workplace.