Water and Wastewater Treatment
Water and Wastewater Treatment - Certificate
If you’d like a high-paying career upon graduating from BTC, then you should consider Water and Wastewater treatment certificate in the Process Technology program. This program will prepare you for a position as a technician or operator for local employers in the water and waste water treatment industry. Primary employers are any municipality that has a water treatment system and private contractors that operate and maintain private water treatment systems.
You’ll learn how to monitor and control processing equipment, troubleshoot and solve equipment problems, test water quality, and implement safety standards and procedures. The Process Technology program provides the technical and academic knowledge you need, along with valuable communication and interpersonal skills that employers want.
To learn more about Bellingham Technical College programs you’re interested in, join us for a Virtual Program Info Session. Prior sign up is required. If you do not see an Info Session for the program you’re interested in, email outreach@btc.edu for more information.
Employment Information
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
88% BTC graduate placement rate1
$70,860 starting annual wage2
$84,366 average annual wage2
$96,792 potential annual wage2
Entry Information
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 49
Quarter 1
PTEC 101 Introduction to Process Technology 5 CR PTEC 102 Process Technology Equipment 5 CR AMATH 111 Applied Technical Math 5 CR Quarter 2
PTEC 103 Safety, Health & Environment I 5 CR PTEC 104 Process Drawings 2 CR PTEC 109 Intro to WWT 5 CR AENGL 100 Applied English 5 CR Quarter 3
PTEC 110 Process Instrumentation 5 CR PTEC 224 WWT Test Preparation 3 CR BIOL& 160 General Biology with Lab 5 CR CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communications 5 CR
Program Outcomes
After successfully completing the Water and Waste Water Treatment certificate, students will be able to:
- Appraise the typical hazards found in water and wastewater treatment plants, basic PPE, and know the requirements of regulating bodies regarding safety, health, and environmental issues (OSHA, DOT, EPA).
- Apprise fundamentals of water and wastewater treatment processes; know core functions and principles of operation of typical process equipment such as pumps, compressors, filters and dryers, lubrication systems, valves, piping systems, and draw from memory Process Flow Diagrams.
- Integrate the principles of process automatic control and Data Control Systems (DCS) to manage simulated DCS scenarios.
- Graduates will have the ability to compare actual water and wastewater plant experience versus preconceived notions.
Employment Outlook
Future retirement data indicates that over the next 10 years there will be a great need for trained water and wastewater treatment operators in the industry, both locally and nationally. The average annual wage in this field is $62,046, with an earning potential of $73,986 per year.
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Faculty & Support
Scott Cory
Process TechnologyBrian Aries
Process TechnologyContacts
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email AdvancedManufacturingNav@btc.edu