Education and Training Opportunities
There are a variety of college and university and technical schools in New England that offer degreed and certificate programs for those interested in water quality career advancement.
Below is a partial list of programs for:
Websites: Work for Water
University & Community College Programs
Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, MA -The Center for Business and Technology offers a wide variety of entry-level and advanced web-based courses in water and wastewater. Complete details are at http://www.stcc.edu
Bristol Community College, Fall River, MA – Associate Degree in Science, Engineering Technology, Environmental Tech. Concentration Certificate of Recognition – Water Quality Professional. For more information on these programs contact Robert S. Rak, Environmental Technology Coordinator, Bristol Community College, 508-678-2811 ext. 2771, rrak@bristol.mass.edu
Cape Cod Community College, Barnstable, MA – Environmental Technology Certificate in Wastewater Management and Water Quality. For more information, contact Stephanie Brady, Environmental Technology Coordinator (508) 362-2131 ext. 4468,sbrady@capecod.edu or visit www.capecod.edu .
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA – Certificate Programs in Wastewater and Water Treatment. For more information, contact Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or (978) 934-2474 or visit https://continuinged.uml.edu/pdf/catalogcertificateprograms.pdf
Gateway Community College, New Haven, CT – Wastewater Certificate Program. For more information contact Wesley Winterbottom at (203) 285-2354,wwinterbottom@gwcc.commnet.edu or visit http://www.gatewayct.edu/Programs-Courses/Divisions-Departments/Engineering-Applied-Technologies/Waste-Water-Management
New Hampshire Community Technical College, Berlin and Laconia, NH – Water Quality Certificate Program. For more information contact Sheldon Towne at stowne@nhctc.edu or call the Berlin campus at (800) 445-4525 or the Laconia campus at (800) 357-2992, or visit http://www.lrcc.edu/
California State University, Sacramento – Online. Office of Water Programs, Operator Training & Education. For more information contact the Office of Water Programs at (916) 278-6142, wateroffice@owp.csus.edu, or visit www.owp.csus.edu
Kirkwood Community College – Online. Water Environmental Technology Program
For more information contact Steve Mrstik at (877) 522-9283, smrstik@kirkwood.edu, or visit http://www.kirkwood.edu/waterenvironmental
Moraine Park Technical College – Online. Water Quality Technician Associate Degree
For more information visit http://www.morainepark.edu/programs-and-courses/programs-of-study/?ProgramTitle=Water+Quality+Technology
New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA)
Established in 1929, the New England Water Environment Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose objective is the advancement of fundamental knowledge and technology of design, construction, operation and management of wastes treatment works and other water pollution control activities and dedication to the preservation of water quality and water resources. Comprised of the six New England states, NEWEA serves over 2,000 members and is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an internationally renowned water quality organization.
NEWEA provides programs for treatment plant operators, laboratory personnel, regulatory officials, engineers, scientists, consultants and students on all aspects of water quality and the wastewater industry. NEWEA holds an Annual Conference, Spring Meeting and multiple Seminars/Workshops throughout the year. Courses are held at locations throughout New England. For more information, call NEWEA at (781) 939-0908 or visit our site
New England Water Works Association (NEWWA)
The New England Water Works Association (NEWWA) is a not-for-profit dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge to enhance the drinking water profession. NEWWA’s training programs not only help enhance the education of current drinking water professionals, they also provide a gateway for those wishing to enter the field.
The drinking water profession encompasses a vast number of skill sets. NEWWA’s training programs touch on all of these, including water treatment operations, laboratory operations, computer applications, water system management, drinking water system distribution operations, and basic sciences/math.
NEWWA also offers a Certificate Program, which is an excellent way for those just beginning their careers to enter into a structured, comprehensive program focusing specifically on the drinking water profession. The Certificate Program provides maximum flexibility to develop and enhance skills while at the same time helps participants gain recognition for their skills and professionalism. By electing to join NEWWA’s Certificate Program, five different learning pathways, or tracks, are open to students: Water Distribution Operation, Water Treatment Operation, Cross Connection Control , Water System Safety, and, Water System Management. This self-paced program allows students to fulfill the requirements over a 6-year time span. For more information, call NEWWA at (508) 893-7979 or visit our site.
New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
For almost 40 years, NEIWPCC has worked to ensure that the people who run water and wastewater treatment facilities are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. NEIWPCC’s Environmental Training Center provides programs for utilities, industries, communities, and government agencies on all aspects of water and wastewater pollution control, management, and operations. NEIWPCC’s training courses cover a broad range of topics, including municipal wastewater treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, wastewater/water pump operations and repair, wastewater collection systems and, basic electricity, motors and instrumentation. Courses are held at locations throughout New England and New York State. For more information, call NEIWPCC at (978) 323-7929 or visit www.neiwpcc.org
Joint Environmental Training Coordination Committee (JETCC)
The Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC) was established in 1985 to coordinate environmental training to meet the needs of Maine’s environmental professionals. JETCC continues to meet this goal by networking the training needs of the environmental work force with the best instructional and technical support available. JETCC organizes and coordinates training in water pollution control and water quality protection.
Training topics cover process control, laboratory analysis, infrastructure, maintenance and regulatory issues. Classes are scheduled in locations throughout Maine. Training certificates are awarded to participants after successful completion of each session. All JETCC classes are approved for continuing education by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection wastewater treatment plant operator certification program. For more information, call JETCC at (207) 253-8020 or visit www.jetcc.org/wastewateroperatortraining.htm
