Courses

Water Utility Science Program

Santiago Canyon College

The Water Utility Science program is designed to serve those individuals employed or interested in employment in the water and/or wastewater fields and those who desire to upgrade their skills and/or receive certification from the State of California, the American Water Works Association, or the California Water Environment Association.

The program provides professional/technical classes combined with hands-on experience.  Coursework emphasizes fundamental aspects of drinking water distribution, drinking water treatment, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatments. 

The certificate program is designed for entry-level job placement in the water treatment and water reclamation industries.  The associate of science degree provides coursework and internship experience designed to provide an overview of a wide range of environmental career opportunities.

Water Utility Science program graduates often pursue jobs with city, county, or state agencies in positions such as wastewater treatment, plant operators, drinking water treatment plant operator, environmental laboratory technician, ultra-pure water technician, industrial pre-treatment coordinator, engineering consultants and technician, surface water management, or state and federal regulator.

Water Utility Science 041
Hot Topics: Regulatory Updates
Units: 0.5 | Class hours: 8 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Regulatory updates in the Safe Drinking Water Act, Title 22, Enhanced Coagulation, Disinfectants/DBP’s Rule, Clean Water Act, and NPDES compliance. Session will aid students in obtaining mandated California Dept. of Health Services contact- hours. Possession of a T2 or D2 license recommended. May be repeated. Grade: CR/NCR only.

Water Utility Science 042
Hot Topics: Managerial Issues Updates
Units: 0.5 | Class hours: 8 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Managerial styles, safe-working environment, project administration, budgeting, salary comparison, public support, water quality compliance, and other current topics. Qualifies for California Dept. of Health Services contact-hours. Possession of a T2, D2 license is recommended. May be repeated. Grade: CR/NCR only.

Water Utility Science 043
Hot Topics: Operational Updates
Units: 0.5 | Class hours: 8 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Focuses upon practical operational criteria such as backflow protection techniques, valve replacement procedures, unidirectional flushing, treatment optimization, and other topics. Qualifies for California Department of Health Services contact-hours to renew operators’ license. Possession of a T2 or D2 license recommended. May be repeated. Grade: CR/NCR only.

Water Utility Science 044
Hot Topics: Maintenance and Security Updates
Units: 0.5 | Class hours: 8 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Corrosion control, coatings, shutdown/repair criteria, shutdown/repair schedules and other topics. Qualifies for mandated California Department of Health Services contact-hours. Possession of a T2 or D2 license recommended. May be repeated. Grade: CR/NCR only.

Water Utility Science 050
Water Mathematics and Hydraulics
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Practical application of mathematics to determine areas, volumes, pressure, rate of flow, velocity, thrust, horsepower, and chemical dosage used in utility operation.  Basic hydraulics for operation of flowing water in pipelines, pressure regulating values, pumping stations, reservoirs, and treatment plants.  Completion of Mathematics N06 or equivalent skills as measured by the Math Level 1 Exam recommended.

Water Utility Science 055
Joint Instrumentation Workshop
Units: 0.2-6 | Class hours: 240 lecture | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Annual Joint Water/Wastewater Instrumentation workshop for management, field, and laboratory personnel.  Sponsored by CWPCA, AWWA, ISA, and SCWMA.  Students will receive 0.2 units or credit for each successfully completed 8 hour seminar.  Grade:  CR/NCR only.
Water Utility Science 101
Water Treatment Fundamentals
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total Prerequisite: Water Utility Science 050 | Advisory reading level: 3

Includes treatment processes and facility maintenance, water chemistry, water quality and biological standards.  Preparation of Grades I and II Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 102
Advanced Water Treatment
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Emphasis on public health aspects of water supply, water quality control, chemical treatment, sedimentation, filtration, ion exchange, disinfection.  Operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities and appurtenances, operation records and computations.  Preparation for Water Treatment Plant Operations Certification examination.  Successful previous completion of Water Utility Science 050 and 101 recommended.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 103
Water Chemistry and Bacteriology
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Water chemistry and water bacteriology as applied to control of water treatment processes, water conditioning, and protection of water quality.  Laboratory demonstrations in techniques of physical, chemical, and bacteriological examination of water.
Water Utility Science 104
Electrical Wiring and Controls for Operators
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Theoretical and practical skills needed to perform preventive maintenance and basic repair of electrical systems used in and around water and wastewater pumping equipment.
Water Utility Science 106
Backflow Prevention Devices
Units: 2 | Class hours: 16 lecture, 32 laboratory total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Theory, testing, and maintenance of backflow preventive devices in water systems.  Prepares the journeyman plumber, plant maintenance operator, and water utility operator to become a certified tester in Orange County.  Prepares for American Water Works Backflow Prevention test.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 107
California Water Resources
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Introduction to water law and rights, California water history, and water supply agencies serving Orange County.  Includes hydrologic cycle, sea water intrusion, protection of wells and reservoirs, flood control, industrial water use, pollution/contamination of ground water supplies, and the conservation of water.
Water Utility Science 108
Cross Connection Control Specialist
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Introduction and methodology of establishing a cross connection control program.  Includes local, state, and federal regulations.  Qualifies student for AWWA Cross Connection Control Specialist, Grade I.
Water Utility Science 109
Water Distribution Systems
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: Water Utility Science 050 | Advisory reading level: 3

Water distribution systems operation. Fundamentals of water production, quality, and system operation.  Includes piping, services, pumps, reservoirs, mathematics, and basic hydraulics.  Preparation for Water Distribution Operator Certification, Grades I and II.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 111
Introduction to Operation of Wastewater
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Introduction to wastewater treatment, including preliminary, primary and secondary treatment processes.  For regular treatment plant operators and those working toward job entry and/or certification.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 112
Advanced Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Secondary and advanced treatment, disinfection and chlorination, reclamation of wastewater, and laboratory procedures.  Prepares student for CSWRCB Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators examination.  Previous completion of Water Utility Science 111 recommended.  May be repeated.
Water Utility Science 116
Collection Systems
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Sewer construction, inspection, and testing, cleaning methods, safety, elementary hydraulics, pipeline and manhole repair, equipment maintenance, public relations, communications, and recordkeeping.  Prepares student for SWRCB Wastewater Collection System Certification.
Water Utility Science 131
Water Conservation Practitioner Workshop
Units: 2 | Class hours: 32 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Theoretical and practical training in applied water use efficiency.  Includes residential, commercial, and landscape customers, water uses, budgets, demand management, water audits.  Best Management Practices, current industry issues, rate structures, program design and management.  Preparation for Grade 1 Water Conservation Practitioner Certification.
Water Utility Science 135
Chlorine Safety Workshop
Units: 1 | Class hours: 16 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Chlorine properties, containment, and safe handling procedures for operating personnel.  Theoretical and practical methods of handling and feeding into public work supplies as required by various private and governmental agencies will be stressed.  Grade:  CR/NCR only.
Water Utility Science 204
Water Reclamation and Reuse
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Fundamentals of reclaimed water, includes history of reclaimed water development.  Planning, design and construction of reclaimed distribution systems.  Problems regarding marketing, legislation and regulations for reclaimed water.  Includes microbiology and health/safety issues.
Water Utility Science 208
Pumps and Pumping
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Problems in pumps and pumping.  Provides the maintenance mechanic with theory of design, and cause of failure and breakdown.  Stresses importance of a maintenance program.  Covers vertical and horizontal, centrifugal, and positive displacement pumps.
Water Utility Science 210
Advanced Water Distribution
Units: 3 | Class hours: 48 lecture total | Prerequisite: None | Advisory reading level: 3

Pipe types and uses, reservoirs, maps, records, and applied hydraulics as applied to distribution systems.  Prepares for Grades II, III, and IV Water Distribution Operator certification by the California Department of Health Services (DHS).  May be repeated.