In Cooperation with The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Self-Study Training Course Work?This training course allows you to progress at your own pace and to study the materials when and where you prefer. Answer sheets are sent to ERTC for grading and remarks. The staff at ERTC is available to answer any questions you may have regarding the course.
1. Proceed through each lesson by reading through short sections, writing answers for the questions at the end of each section and then checking your answers.
2. Complete the test at the end of each chapter on the answer sheet provided by ERTC. Send each completed test to the ERTC for grading.
The time needed to complete a course depends upon each person. Set your own pace, but establish a regular schedule. Most students require from 100-150 hours of study to complete each course.
Yes. Upon successful completion you will receive a Certificate of Completion and appropriate contact hours. Upon successful completion of a self-study course, equivalent credit may be granted toward the experience requirement necessary to take an Illinois certification exam. For exact information, you must contact the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Public Water Supply and/or Division of Water Pollution Control.
Wastewater Treatment Self-Study Courses
The ERTC offers seven self-study courses (developed by California State University, Sacramento) for wastewater treatment operators, supervisors and managers. Each course includes a manual and test answer sheets. ERTC grades each chapter test and upon successful completion of a course, awards appropriate hours and a Certificate of Completion.
Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 1 | ERTC #090 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Treatment Plant Operator 2. Why Treat Wastes? 3. Wastewater Treatment Facilities 4. Racks, Screens, Comminutors and Grit Removal 5. Sedimentation and Flotation 6. Trickling Filters 7. Rotating Biological Contactors 8. Activated Sludge (Package Plants & Oxidation Ditches) 9. Waste Treatment Ponds 10. Disinfection and Chlorination | |
Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume II | ERTC #091 |
| Chapter Contents: 11. Activated Sludge (Conventional Plants) 12. Sludge Digestion and Solids Handling 13. Effluent Disposal 14. Plant Safety and Good Housekeeping 15. Maintenance 16. Laboratory Procedures and Chemistry 17. Applications of Computers for Plant O & M 18. Analysis and Presentation of Data 19. Records and Report Writing | |
Advanced Waste Treatment | ERTC #092 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. Odor Control 2. Activated Sludge (Pure Oxygen Plants and Operational Control Options) 3. Residual Solids Management 4. Solids Removal from Secondary Effluents 5. Phosphorus Removal 6. Nitrogen Removal 7. Enhanced Biological (Nutrient) Control 8. Wastewater Reclamation 9. Instrumentation | |
Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume I | ERTC #093 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Industrial Plant Operator 2. Safety 3. Regulatory Requirements 4. Preventing and Minimizing Wastes at the Source 5. Industrial Wastewaters 6. Flow Measurement 7. Preliminary Treatment 8. Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes 9. Filtration 10. Physical Treatment Processes 11. Treatment of Metal Waste streams 12. Instrumentation | |
Industrial Waste Treatment,Volume II | ERTC #094 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Industrial Plant Operator 2. Fixed Growth Processes (Trickling Filters and RBCs) 3. Activated Sludge Process Control 4. Sequencing Batch Reactors 5. Enhanced Biological Treatment 6. Anaerobic Treatment 7. Residual Solids Management 8. Maintenance | |
Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume I | ERTC #095 |
| Chapter Contents 1. The Wastewater Collection System Operator 2. Why Collection System Operation and Maintenance? 3. Wastewater Collection Systems 4. Safe Procedures 5. Inspecting and Testing Collection Systems 6. Pipeline Cleaning and Maintenance Methods 7. Underground Repair | |
Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume II | ERTC #096 |
| Chapter Contents: 8. Lift Stations 9. Equipment Maintenance 10. Sewer Rehabilitation 11. Safety/Survival Programs for Operators 12. Administration 13. Organization for System Operation and Maintenance | |
Water Supply Self-Study Courses
The ERTC also offers three self-study courses (developed by California State University, Sacramento) for operators, supervisors and managers of public water supply facilities. Each course includes a manual and and test answer sheets. ERTC grades each chapter test and upon successful completion of a course, awards appropriate hours and a Certificate of Completion.
Water Treatment Plant Operation, Volume 1(90 Hours) $100 | ERTC#101 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Water Treatment Plant Operator 2. Water Sources and Treatment 3. Reservoir management and Intake Structures 4. Coagulation and Flocculation 5. Sedimentation 6. Filtration 7. Disinfection 8. Corrosion Control 9. Taste and Odor Control 10. Plant Operation 11. Laboratory Procedures | |
Water Treatment Plant Operation, Volume II | ERTC #102 |
| Chapter Contents: 12. Iron and Manganese Control 13. Fluoridation 14. Softening 15. Trihalomethanes 16. Demineralization 17. Handling and Disposal of Process Wastes 18. Maintenance 19. Instrumentation 20. Safety 21. Advanced Laboratory Procedures 22. Drinking Water Regulations 23. Administration | |
Small Water System Operation and Maintenance | ERTC #103 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Small Water System Operator 2. Water Sources and Treatment 3. Wells 4. Small Water Treatment Plants 5. Disinfection 6. Safety 7. Laboratory Procedures 8. Setting Water Rates for Small Water Utilities | |
Water Distribution System Operation and Maintenance | ERTC #104 |
| Chapter Contents: 1. The Water Distribution System Operator 2. Storage Facilities 3. Distribution System Facilities 4. Water Quality Considerations 5. Operation and Maintenance 6. Disinfection 7. Safety | |
