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Drinking Water Operator Accelerated Training Program Starts May 13, 2014

By on March 25, 2014
Drinking Water Operator Training Program Starts May 13, 2014

St. Louis Community College’s training for drinking water operators is an Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 grant-funded program. The accelerated job training is being driven by the potential for job openings, due to the fact that many water operators are reaching retirement age within the next 5 years. According to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for 2010-2020, there will be a 12 percent increase, or approximately 12,900 jobs, for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators across the nation.

The College also recognizes the importance of drinking water operator training and education because the health of a community relies on having competent drinking water treatment operators. Our community demands clean water 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Estimates vary, but clean water demand per person can reach 70 gallons or more each day!

Training will include classroom work, as well as on-site training at water utility facilities. Topics covered include:

  • water sources (ground and surface)
  • water testing
  • water treatment
  • operating water distribution systems
  • math equations associated with treatment and distribution

Upon successful completion of the training, students are able to take certification exams provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for water treatment (Level D) and water distribution (DS-1). Drinking water operator certification establishes a professional standard, and also provides the knowledge and understanding drinking water operators need to provide safe, adequate drinking water to the public.

The training program is approved by the Missouri Department of Natural Resource (DNR) as course No. 1306936. This DNR course approval is equivalent to six months of water treatment and six months of distribution system operating experience. Certification renewal training credit hours are water treatment (57.5 hours), distribution (57.5 hours), wastewater (22.5 hours) and concentrated animal feeding operations (7.0 hours).

Training held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting May 13, 2014, including field trips.

The program is tuition-free to eligible individuals who meet the screening requirements. For more information, contact Rene Dulle at rdulle4@stlcc.edu or at 314-539-5296. Additional information is at http://www.stlcc.edu/Workforce-Solutions/Accelerated-Job-Training/Drinking-Water-Operator.html.

About Rene Dulle

Rene Dulle is a Senior Program Manager for St. Louis Community College - Workforce Solutions Group. Her expertise includes collaborating with community partners and leveraging grant opportunities to develop workforce training programs leading to careers with livable wages. She has managed a variety of educational programs with a focus on the transportation industry, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. Rene holds a B.S. in Environmental Science, specializing in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability, from Oregon State University, and a MBA from Saint Louis University. She currently serves on the OneSTL regional initiative to reduce energy and emissions.

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