Night Courses

Basic Water Supply
Hours: 45
This course is an introduction to water supply covering Class D and C operations. Topics include wells, chlorination, fluoridation, chemical treatment, distribution systems, pumps, sampling, operating reports, water quality and related math.

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Intermediate Water Supply
Hours: 45
This course is intended to assist water supply operators preparing for the Class B certification exam. Ground water treatment and ion exchange softening are covered with related math and chemistry. Topics include ground water quality, oxidation, iron and manganese control, filtration, process waste disposal, sampling and operation reports.

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Advanced Water Supply
Hours: 45
This course is intended to assist water supply operators preparing for the Class A certification exam. Surface water treatment and lime softening are covered with related math and chemistry. Topics include surface water quality, clarification, filtration, taste and odor control, process waste disposal, jar testing, sampling and operation reports.

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Basic Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 36
Sources and characteristics of wastewater are taught. Topics include biological treatment principles, process control, normal operation and preventive maintenance for collection systems, preliminary treatment devices, primary treatment devices, stabilization ponds and disinfection systems. Small activated sludge plants are discussed, as well as federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

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Intermediate Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 36
This second course in wastewater operations deals with modes of operation, process control testing, operating strategies and troubleshooting of the activated sludge process, fixed media systems, aerobic and anaerobic sludge digestion and solids handling systems (drying beds, lagoons and land application).

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Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 36
Basic process control and troubleshooting skills for small extended aeration and contact stabilization activated sludge plants are developed. Problem solving techniques using sludge settleability, MLSS and sludge age concepts are emphasized. Procedures to develop plant-specific process control responses to improve performance of extended aeration and contact stabilization plants are presented. Operation and maintenance of solids treatment and disposal processes, including vacuum filters, filter presses, centrifuges, chemical conditioning and final disposal are taught.

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NPDES Testing Laboratory
Hours: 36
Covers lab tests needed to complete an NPDES Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). Hands-on training is provided for following tests: pH, dissolved oxygen, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) as well as BOD, total suspended solids, fecal coliform, ammonia nitrogen, and chlorine residual. Other topics to be addressed are: chemical oxygen demand, use of specific ion electrodes and spectrophotometers, lab reports and quality assurance.

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Wastewater Collection Systems
Hours: 36
Develops skills necessary to operate, maintain and troubleshoot wastewater collection systems, installation of gravity sewer lines, taps on gravity sewer lines, maintenance and repair of lines and lift stations. Safety in collection system construction and confined space entry is stressed.

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Class B & A Water Supply
Hours: 45
Develops skills necessary to operate, maintain and troubleshoot wastewater collection systems, installation of gravity sewer lines, taps on gravity sewer lines, maintenance and repair of lines and lift stations. Safety in collection system construction and confined space entry is stressed.

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Workshops

Jar Testing & Chemical Feeding
Hours: 7.5
This workshop will utilize hands-on lab work and classroom discussion to illustrate dosage calculation and chemical feed rates for various water treatment chemicals. Includes basic information on storage safety and use of many common water treatment chemicals for both grund water and surface water sources.

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Activated Sludge Process Control & Treatment Modifications
Hours: 15
This course covers process control of activated sludge processes, process control testing, and troubleshooting. Modification of activated sludge processes for nutrient removal will also be covered. Processes covered include nitrogen and phosphorus removal, sequenceing batch reactors, integrated fixed film systems, and membrane bio-reactors.

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Distribution Systems 1 (Class D Water)
Hours: 7.5
General operation and maintenance procedures for water distribution systems are covered. Topics include electrical maintenance; pumps and hydraulics; installation procedures for water mains, water services and hydrants; water; valve operation; maps and records; related math. May be taken alone or with Distribution Systems 2.

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Distribution Systems 2 (Class D Water)
Hours: 7.5
General operation and maintenance procedures for water distribution systems are covered. Topics include storage, rules, regulations, sampling, operation reports, cross connections, and math. May be taken alone or with Distribution Systems 1.

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Ground Water 1 (Class C Water)
Hours: 7.5
Operation and maintenance of wells and chemical feeding operations are covered with related math and chemistry. Topics include well math, chlorination, and chemical feed math. May be taken alone or with Ground Water 2.

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Ground Water 2 (Class C Water)
Hours: 7.5
Operation and maintenance of pumps, as well as electrical maintenance is covered. Topics include corrosion control, fluoridation, sequestration, chemical formulas, sampling and reporting. May be taken alone or with Ground Water 1.

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Class B Ground Water 1 (Filtration)
Hours: 7.5
Ground water treatment is covered in this one day course with related math and chemistry. Ground water topics include water quality, oxidation, iron and manganese control, filtration, sampling and reporting. May be taken alone or with Class B Ground Water 2.

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Class B Ground Water 2 (Ion Exchange Softening)
Hours: 7.5
Ground water treatment topics include ion exchange softening with related math and chemistry, process waste disposal, and electrical maintenance. May be taken alone or with Class B Ground Water 1.

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Surface Water 1 (Class A Water) Clarification
Hours: 7.5
Surface water treatment topics include clarification, jar testing, filtration, and related math and chemistry. Pump operation and maintenance is also covered. May be taken alone or with Surface Water 2.

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Surface Water 2 (Class A Water) Lime Softening
Hours: 7.5
Surface water treatment and lime softening are covered with related math and chemistry. Other topics covered are taste and odor control, process waste disposal, and electrical maintenance. May taken alone or with Surface Water 1.

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Note to Operators of CWS serving 3,300 or less: IEPA will pay the registration fee and reimburse expenses for food, lodging, and travel up to 200 miles roundtrip for the above one-day workshops through the Drinking Water Training Reimbursement Program. A total of 30 training hours per system is allowed. Eligible participants must register at least 3 weeks in advance of these courses.

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Cross Connection Control
Hours: 28 hours, 23.5 hours for water operators
Includes demonstration of inspection and testing procedures for reduced pressure zone (RPZ) and double check valve back-flow preventers. Each participant is provided opportunities to perform inspection and testing procedures. A written exam covering significant topics related to cross-connection control is included. To successfully complete the workshop, participants must pass the written exam and properly perform inspection and testing procedures on RPZ and double check valve backflow preventers.

There is only one chance to pass each section of the exam (written and hands-on). Failure of either section will require the individual to retake the entire course again at a later date at FULL COST. Licensed plumbers will be eligible for IEPA approval to inspect and test RPZ and double check valve backflow preventers upon successful course completion. Certified water operators are eligible for a limited IEPA approval.

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Backflow Preventer Testing Update
Hours: 7
This course is only for persons who have completed the four-day Cross Connection Control course. This course provides an opportunity to practice testing double check valve and RPZ backflow preventers and be introduced to current testing procedures, such as the direction of flow procedure.

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Backflow Prevention Symposium
Hours: 5
This annual symposium provides updates of Illinois backflow prevention regulations, activities and training opportunities. Relevant backflow prevention topics will be presented by a variety of speakers. Lunch is provided with the registration fee.

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Disinfection Profiling
Hours: 7.5
This workshop for surface water systems will include instruction on construction of a graphical profile, calculating contact time and calculating Giardia lamblia inactivation time requirements. Once the training is completed, the operator will be able to complete disinfection benchmark requirements. The workshop will simultaneously aid in compliance issues between LT1ESWTR and the Stage 1 D/DBP Rule, filter assessment and profiling, as well as the Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE).

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Land Application of Biosolids
Hours: 15
Covers the methods, rules and regulations for land application of municipal sludges. Fertilizer value, soil enhancement, site life and planning a sludge application program are also discussed.

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Drinking Water Treatment after 2000
Hours: 7
A summary of current US EPA rules will be provided and compliance strategies will be discussed.

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Enhanced Surface Water Treatment
Hours: 7
This course reviews the current surface water treatment requirements and attempts to predict future requirements using information from the Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, Information Collection Rule, and the Disinfection/Disinfectant Byproducts Rule.

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Ground Water Treatment
Hours: 21
Operation and maintenance of ground water treatment plants are covered. Iron and manganese control, filtration and ion exchange softening are taught. Hands-on training is provided in jar testing, chemical feed and process control testing.

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Lime Softening
Hours: 7
The following topics are covered: basic theory, stabilization of softened water, operation and maintenance procedures and problems, safety, lab control and related math. Jar testing procedures will be demonstrated.

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Reverse Osmosis
Hours: 7
The following topics are covered: basic theory, operation and maintenance procedures and problems, safety, lab control and related math. A tour of an actual reverse osmosis system is provided.

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Storm Water Phase II
Hours: 7
Phase II storm water regulations require small municipalities (less than 100,000people) to develop best management practices (BMP's) to reduce effects of storm water on the receiving water. The workshop will cover NPDES permitting of storm water discharges and the nine minimum control measures required of all municipalities. Designed to inform operators, engineers and city officials of regulations and requirements pertaining to Phase II storm water regulations.

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Taste and Odor Control
Hours: 5
Coverage will include types, causes and controls. Control will include: algae control and other source control procedures; treatment plant control; and water distribution system control to include flushing and water heater related problems. Portions of a recent AWWA teleconference on taste and odor control will be shown and discussed.

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Terrorism and Public Water Supply: A Panel Discussion
Hours: 3.5
This discussion will focus on measures used by water supplies to protect the public from terrorist acts on the water supply. Areas to be discussed include: source water contamination; water treatment; water distribution distribution systems; chemical delivers; storage; types of contaminants and other relevant topics.

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Water Distribution Systems
Hours: 5
Operation and maintenance procedures will be covered to include: installation of water mains, service connections, hydrants and valves; bacteria sampling; pumps; meters; cross connection control; storage leak detection; flushing and disinfection.

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Wells - Operation & Maintenance
Hours: 5
Operation and maintenance procedures will be covered to include: construction and pump installation; checking water levels; drawdown and specific capacity; disinfection, rehabilitation, wellhead protection; and sanitary defects.

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Activated Sludge/Anaerobic Digestion
Hours: 21
Advanced process control and troubleshooting skills for activated sludge plants are developed. Use of F/M, MCRT, OUR and microscopic examination for process control of activated sludge plants are covered. Anaerobic digestion operation and process control testing will also be covered. The course is an excellent refresher course for operators preparing to take Class 1 and 2 operator certification exams.

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Basic Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 14
Sources and characteristics of wastewater are taught. Topics include biological treatment principles, process control, normal operation and preventive maintenance for collection systems, preliminary treatment devices, primary treatment devices, stabilization ponds and disinfection systems. Small activated sludge plants are discussed, as well as federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

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Advanced Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 21
This course deals with modes of operation, process control testing, operating strategies and troubleshooting of the activated sludge process, fixed media systems, aerobic and anaerobic sludge digestion and solids handling systems (drying beds, lagoons and land application).

Wastewater Operations Math (Class 3/4)
Hours: 7.5
Practice in solving math problems used at wastewater treatment plants and on certification exams are covered. math for wastewater lagoons, rotating biological contactors (RBCs) and trickling filters are covered.

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Class 4 Wastewater Operations
Hours: 14
Process control and troubleshooting of stabilization ponds, collection systems and chlorination systems are stressed. Skills needed to operate stabilization pond systems are developed and Class 4 certification exam materials are covered.

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Class 3 Wastewater Operations
Hours: 14
Process control and troubleshooting of trickling filter and RBC units are covered. Skills needed to operate trickling filter and RBC units are covered. Class 3 certification exam materials are covered.

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Class 1 & 2 Wastewater Operations
Hours: 14
Stresses process control and troubleshooting of activated sludge treatment plants with aerobic and anaerobic sludge digesters. Skills needed to operate activated sludge plants are developed. Class 1 and 2 certification exam materials are reviewed.

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Chlorine Risk Management
Hours: 7
Compliance with the USEPA risk management concerning chlorine and other hazardous chemicals commonly found at water/wastewater utilities are discussed. Utilities that store 2,500 lbs of chlorine and/or 5,000 lbs of sulfur dioxide are required to have a written procedure for storage and handling of these hazardous chemicals. Noncompliance can result in civil fines up to $25,000/day/violation. This workshop will help the plant operator to meet the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule.

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Collection System Maintenance
Hours: 14
Develops skills necessary to operate, maintain and troubleshoot wastewater collection systems. Topics include piping for collection systems, maintenance and repair of lines and lift stations. Safety in collection system construction and confined space entry is stressed.

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Pumps & Electrical Maintenance
Hours: 15
Topics covered in this course include: electrical safety, electrical testing equipment, O & M of AC motors, wiring diagrams and troubleshooting. In hands-on sessions, participants learn operation and testing of common components in electrical panels. Other hands-on exercises include wiring of motor control panels and basic troubleshooting of the panels.

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Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Hours: 14
General industrial waste treatment concepts and procedures will be covered, as well as processes specific to the treatment of metal waste streams and food processing wastes. Assistance will be provided in preparing for the Illinois Class K industrial waste treatment certification examination.

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Mechanical Maintenance
Hours: 21
Skills in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of pumping systems are developed. Positive displacement and centrifugal pumps are covered. Application of basic hydraulic concepts and use of pump curves are stressed. Troubleshooting of pumps and pumping stations is included. Topics include types of pumps, identification of pump parts, disassembly and assembly of pumps, pumping system measurements and lubrication.

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Wastewater Laboratory Testing
Hours: 21
This hands-on course will cover process control testing done in the wastewater treatment plant lab. Procedures to be covered include organism identification, protozoa/filamentous organisms, MLSS, MLVSS, TS, TVS, SVI, oxygen uptake rate (OUR), secchi disks, and settling rates. Sampling and data handling will also be covered.

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NPDES Testing Lab
Hours: 21
Covers lab tests needed to complete an NPDES Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). Hands-on training is provided for each of the following tests: pH, dissolved oxygen, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) as well as BOD, total suspended solids, fecal coliform, ammonia nitrogen, and chlorine residual. Other topics to be addressed are: chemical oxygen demand, use of specific ion electrodes and spectrophotometers, lab records, reports and quality assurance.

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Oxidation Ditch Operations
Hours: 14
This two-day workshop will cover process control and troubleshooting skills for oxidation ditch wastewater treatment plants. Use of F/M, MCRT, OUR and microscopic examination for process control will be covered.

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Pump Operation and Maintenance
Hours: 21
Skills in operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of pumping systems are developed. Positive displacement and centrifugal pumps are covered. Application of basic hydraulic concepts and use of pump curves are stressed. Evaluation of electrical motors, electrical control panels and pump instrumentation are included. Topics include types of pumps, identification of pump parts, disassembly and assembly of pumps, electrical and mechanical measurements and lubrication.

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Troubleshooting the Activated Sludge Process
Hours: 14
Advanced process control techniques are demonstrated and discussed. The hands-on portion will introduce students to making wet mounts and staining techniques used in identification of filamentous bacteria. Causes and significance of organisms found in activated sludge will be discussed. Microscope care and calibration will also be discussed. Students are encouraged to bring microscopes and activated sludge samples for analysis.

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Vulnerability Assessment Procedures
Hours: 6
According to the new Drinking Water Security and Safety Act “Each community water system serving a population greater than 3,300 persons shall conduct an assessment of the vulnerability of its system to a terrorist attack or other intentional act.” This workshop will focus on measures used by water/wastewater treatment plant personnel to perform vulnerability assessments. Areas to be discussed include: vulnerability assessment, threat evaluation, water distribution and other relevant topics. In a work session, participants will perform an assessment on a fictitious water treatment plant. Security equipment will also be discussed. Workshop instructors have performed vulnerability assessments. YOU MUST BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER. CALL ERTC TO SEE IF ONE IS AVAILABLE FOR USE.

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Wastewater Math
Hours: 14
Practice in solving math problems used at wastewater treatment plants and on certification exams are covered. Math for wastewater lagoons, rotating biological contactors (RBCs), trickling filters, activated sludge processes, chemical dosages and land application of sludge will be covered. Word problems and process control calculations are stressed. Use of spreadsheets for process control will also be discussed.

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Water Short School
Hours: 31
This is an intensive training session to develop skills specific to prepare an operator to take the Class A, B, C or D Illinois water certification exam.  Process control and operation to specific plant classifications will be covered in break-out sessions.  All aspects of plant operations, process control tests and the interpretations, process control math, records and rules will be covered.  On Friday afternoon, the IEPA water certification exam is given to eligible students.

Class A: Stresses lime-soda softening, taste and odor control, clarification, jar testing, and associated math.

Class B: Stresses filtration, ion exchange softening, oxidation, laboratory procedures, rules and regulations, and associated math.

Class C: Stresses basic ground water treatment. Wells, chlorination, fluoridation, chemical feeding, lab procedures, and associated math.

Class D: Stresses distribution systems.  Storage, pumping, disinfection, sampling, water quality, basic water math and associated math.

Note to students taking Water Short School

YOU MUST MAKE APPLICATION DIRECTLY TO IEPA TO TAKE THE CERTIFICATION EXAM ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON

IEPA Water Certification Program  (217)  785- 0561

Applications can be downloaded at www.epa.state.il.us/water/forms

click on   Operator Certification ? Drinking Water

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Wastewater Operator Short School
Hours: 31
An intensive training session to develop skills specific to process control and operation of Class 4, 3, 2 and 1 plants. All aspects of plant operations, process control tests and their interpretation, process control math, safety reports and records for each specific class are covered. On Friday afternoon, the IEPA wastewater certification exam is given for eligible students.

Class 4: Stresses stabilization ponds, collection systems and chlorination systems. Class 4 certification exam materials are reviewed.

Class 3: Stresses trickling filter and RBC units. Class 3 certification exam materials are reviewed.

Class 2/1: Small activated sludge treatment plants with aerobic and anaerobic sludge digesters are stressed. Class 2 and 1 exam materials are reviewed.

Note to Students taking Wastewater Short School

YOU MUST MAKE APPLICATION DIRECTLY TO IEPA/DWPC TO TAKE THE CERTIFICATION EXAM ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON

IEPA Wastewater Certification Program - (217) 782-9720

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Disinfection Profiling
Hours: 7.5
This workshop for surface water systems will include instruction on construction of a graphical profile, calculating contact time and calculating Giardia lamblia inactivation time requirements. Once the training is completed the operator will be able to complete disinfection benchmark requirements. The workshop will aid in simultaneous compliance issues between LT1ESWTR and the Stage 1 D/DBP Rule.

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Plumber Continuing Education
Hours: 4
This four-hour course is certified by the Illinois Department of Public Health for plumber continuing education requirements. Topics include plumbing materials, fixtures and equipment, public and private water supply systems, planning and designing a plumbing system and private sewage disposal systems.

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Backflow Device Testing Update
Hours: 7
This course is only for persons who have completed the four-day Cross Connection Control course. This course provides an opportunity to practice testing double check valve and RPZ backflow preventers and be introduced to current new testing procedures, such as the direction of flow procedure.