Degrees and Certificates
Why Choose This Program
Water Environment Technology grads are in high demand across the country.
Clean, safe water is important to the health and wellbeing of communities and the environment. Water Environment students will learn a variety of chemical, biological, physical, and mechanical water and wastewater treatment processes and techniques.
Students will learn the processes of getting water from its source, treatment, distribution, collection, and treatment again on its way back to the source. Students learn to identify, troubleshoot, and solve problems they might see in the treatment process.
Graduates play many roles in operations of water and wastewater treatment facilities, sewer, collection systems, and water distribution systems. There are also many career choices outside of city or county water and wastewater treatment facilities, including agricultural, paper, beverage, ethanol, and manufacturing industries as examples.
Skills Acquired
- Water and wastewater treatment process control
- Mechanical aptitude in a variety of areas
- Laboratory skills utilized in water treatment
- Basic electricity & controls logic
- Math (process control, chemical dosing, process design)
- Computer (SCADA, word, excel, PowerPoint)
- Communication (oral, written, electronic)
- Use of hand and power tools
- Process and Equipment Troubleshooting & problem solving
- Equipment operation
- Preventative maintenance and repair
- Regulations and Regulatory Compliance
- Safety
- Utility administration and planning
- Customer Service
Career Choices
Types of Careers
- Operations of water & wastewater treatment facilities
- Sewer collection system operations
- Water distribution system operations
- Laboratory Analysis (Quality Control & Quality Assurance)
- Treatment plant residuals (solids handling)
- Supervisor of plant operations or public works
- Maintenance of utility systems
- Water meter reading, troubleshooting, and repair
- Electronic systems repair & maintenance
- Regulatory enforcement
- Inspections of water and wastewater systems
- Training & Education
- Sales of industry related equipment and services
Potential Employers
Government agencies:
- Municipal (local)
- Water Management Districts
- County
- State
- Federal
- Tribal
Private organizations:
- Industries with a manufacturing process that requires the business to operate its own water and wastewater treatment systems.
- Contract Operations Companies – Operation and maintenance of municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems.
- Equipment and Service Vendors – Suppliers of equipment and services utilized by the water and wastewater industry.
Where Grads Work
- St. Cloud Hospital
- City of Bloomington
- Cold Spring Brewing Company
- City of Brainerd
- City of Buffalo
- St. Cloud Technical & Community College
- City of Minneapolis
- MET Council
Accreditations & Credentials
Water Licensure - Upon completion of the WETT program, students qualify to sit for their Class “D” Water License proctored by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Wastewater Licensure - Upon completion of the WETT program, students qualify to sit for their Class “D” Wastewater License proctored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Employment at a qualified Water or Wastewater facility allows a licensed operator to advance their licenses to higher levels. SCTCC graduates with a four-year degree in the Sciences (e.g. Engineering, Biology, Chemistry) may qualify to be able to advance their water and wastewater licensure even faster!
The Water Environment Technologies program is accredited by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, (651) 296-6300. Students who successfully pass the state exams receive Class D Water and Wastewater certificates, which are required to operate water and wastewater treatment facilities for both public and private entities.
Info Sessions
Contact Us
Gregg Kropp
gregg.kropp@sctcc.edu
Phone: (320) 308-5952
Fax: (320) 308-5985
Program Costs
In addition to tuition and fees, students can expect to pay $1590 on books, supplies, and materials.
Clubs & Organizations
WAMM (SCTCC student water club)
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Professional Organization
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Minnesota Wastewater Operators Association (MWOA)
Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA)
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