Water Environment Technologies

Degrees and Certificates

Water Environment Technologies AAS (62 Credits)

Water Environment Technologies Diploma (50 Credits)

Why Choose This Program

Water Environment Technology grads are in high demand across the country, and SCTCC offers two locations to complete this program: one at the St. Cloud campus and one at the Eden Prairie Water Treatment Plant.

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.

Kaiya

Anderson

Water Envrionment Technology student

from Sartell, MN

Water Environment Technologies

We've gone on tour of water treatment plants and it's been really eye opening. I didn't know there was that much that went into the process of making clean water. I do like math and chemistry, so working in the lab has been really fun for me.

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Andrew

Kitzman

Water Environment Technology student

from Monticello, MN

Water Environment Technologies

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Good Stuff

"SCTCC has a fantastic Water Environment Technologies program that prepares students for careers in both essential services of water and wastewater treatment and distribution/collection. This program has near 100% job placement in municipalities offering excellent salaries, benefits and retirement as well as a very rewarding career experience. This field of study and curriculum needs to be promoted, as enrollment still isn't even close to meeting the industry demand for educated operators!"

-Joe Rubbelke – Director of Innovative Solutions at Copperhead Industries

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

100

2017 Placement Rate

Central MN average hourly salary

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
St. Cloud Technical & Community College

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.