At Bellingham Technical College, the Water and Wastewater Treatment program will train you for top jobs at water and wastewater treatment plants, including positions as water and wastewater treatment operators. WWT operators work to ensure that the safety, environmental and water quality standards for an employer’s treatment system are met.
Currently, our primary employers in Washington State are municipalities and private contractors who run fresh water and wastewater treatment plants. The water and wastewater treatment sector of the U.S. economy has 114,770 jobs, with an average of 7,500 positions opening per year. All municipalities are required to meet rigorous fresh water and wastewater treatment standards, and these facilities require highly skilled employees who are trained in advanced treatment methods. BTC’s Water and Wastewater Treatment program gives you training in technical skills and interpersonal skills to get you ready for top jobs in the field of water treatment.
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.
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.
PTEC 101 | Introduction to Process Technology | 5 CR |
PTEC 102 | Process Technology I (Equipment) | 5 CR |
AMATH 111 | Applied Technical Math | 5 CR |
PTEC 103 | Safety, Health & Environment I | 5 CR |
PTEC 104 | Process Drawings | 2 CR |
AENGL 100 | Applied English | 5 CR |
PTEC 109 | Intro to WWT | 5 CR |
PTEC 110 | Process Instrumentation I | 5 CR |
BIOL& 160 | General Biology with Lab | 5 CR |
CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communications | 5 CR |
PTEC 203 | Safety, Health & Environment II | 5 CR |
PTEC 211 | Troubleshooting | 5 CR |
PTEC 221 | Prelim & Sec WWT Stage 1 | 5 CR |
PTEC 222 | Solids & Reg WWT Stage 2 | 5 CR |
PTEC 290 | Process Technology Practicum/Internship I | 5 CR |
CHEM& 110 | Chemical Concepts w/Lab | 5 CR |
PTEC 223 | Water & Adv WWT Stage 3 | 5 CR |
PTEC 291 | Process Technology Practicum/Internship II | 5 CR |
PTEC 224 | WWT Test Preparation | 3 CR |
PHYS& 110 | Physics for Non-Science Majors w/Lab | 5 CR |
In BTC’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Program, you will learn how to monitor and control processing equipment, troubleshoot and solve equipment problems, test product quality, and implement safety standards and procedures. Your career training in this program also prepares you to:
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, according to future retirement data. Water and Wastewater Treatment program students will train for top jobs in water treatment and can expect to earn excellent wages. Employers across a range of industries want to hire people with strong problem-solving and hands-on skills, who are trained and ready to go.
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.
Per local college records, about 90% of BTC Water and Waste Water graduates are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $63,087, with an earning potential of about $75,367 per year.
BTC’s water and wastewater treatment graduates are readily employable and actively recruited by local, regional, national municipalities and contractors. BTC collaborates with local industry, employers, and our state and local governments to determine the skills our workforce requires to keep the economy strong.