Wastewater
Workforce Development
Program Description
NPRC’s wastewater program trains the next generation of operators and continues educating the ones already serving our communities.
Workers in this profession manage vital systems that treat water and wastewater. These operators oversee the distribution and treatment of water as it is pumped from wells, rivers, and reservoirs into water treatment facilities. They are tasked with monitoring and maintaining equipment and processes to ensure that water remains safe for drinking and other daily activities.
This program takes students from the basics of general math and chemistry to the advanced skills of handling and disposal, filtration, and chlorination. The skills learned in these courses can help students become a vital part of their community for years to come.
All modules in this program are available for beginners and for continuing education credit for current wastewater treatment operators. Beginners must take all modules, passing Level I before moving to Level II. Continuing education cost is $180 per module.
| Program Level I Components
Module I – Intro to Wastewater Treatment Module II - Collection System Module III – Core Requirements Module IV - Miscellaneous Topics Module V – Laboratory and Maintenance |
Program Level II Components Module VI – Treatment Types Module VII – Land Application & Solids Modules VIII & IX – Activated Sludge Module X – Advanced Topics |
Bringing Affordable Education to You
Program Start Date
04/29/2024
Program Completion Date
05/15/2024
Program Cost
$180.00
Wastewater Courses
What You'll Learn
Basic math, chemistry, applied biology, safety, and ethics to ensure successful wastewater treatment
Collection systems, infiltration, and inflow of wastewater.
Wastewater laboratory basics and treatment plant maintenance
Land application of wastewater, solids handling and disposal, sequential batch recorders, and biosolids are uncovered to ensure knowledge of treatment scenarios and techniques.
Career Outlook as a Wastewater Professional
Wastewater operators, wastewater specialists, wastewater technicians, and facility managers are all possible careers after completing the modules of this program.
Wastewater treatment operators earn nearly $50,000 per year on average.
Over 125,000 jobs exist in this line of work, including various opportunities in NPRC’s 10-county service region.
Almost 11,000 new jobs will be created in this industry between now and 2031.
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Wastewater Courses FAQ
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Growing up in rural Potter County, Pennsylvania meant if I wanted good educational and employment opportunities, I would have to move. When NPRC started offering classes less than 30 minutes from my home (almost an hour closer than the next closest college), my future was no longer dependent on living in a more urban area. I received a quality education without spending the tens of thousands of dollars on room and board a traditional school would have required. And now, I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the team making this story possible for so many other people in rural Pennsylvania. NPRC’s mission is a necessary one, helping serve a part of the population that has lacked affordable and quality higher education for decades. This school helped me avoid debt, find my path in life, and now, I have a job I love and opportunities I never expected.
- Brian, NPRC Graduate
While attending NPRC, I am enrolled in 16 credits and working toward a degree in business administration. This switch is already positively benefitting me as a student. I have been keeping up with classes and shifting out of bad habits that may hinder my success. As someone who is diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD, it sometimes gets hard to effectively communicate. However, NPRC continues to provide opportunities to not only challenge myself, but to help me grow as a student, and more importantly, as a person. NPRC was my second chance. My second chance to help me build myself better, and I feel like my future is already better than what it was before NPRC.
-Noah, Business Administration Student
My time at Northern Pennsylvania Regional College has been a great experience even through the COVID-19 pandemic. Never did I imagine doing a year of college in my own home and still be able to be on the Dean’s List and be extremely proud. I am 39 years of age, and it has taken me this long to attempt college. I have to say that starting college at this age was hard. However, everyone at NPRC has made it easy for me to understand what it means to be studious. You can feel the care that is given to you through the staff at NPRC. The instructors are always willing to help and they will always answer the questions that we have. This college is a great way to get started on your new path through life. There are so many options to pick from if you are undecided.
-Claudia, NPRC Graduate
I started with NPRC right after graduating high school in 2018. I was not sure what I wanted to do career-wise, but the criminal justice field had always piqued my interest. Before finishing my two-year degree with NPRC, I decided to transfer to a four-year university to further my education in both sociology and criminal justice. Without the affordability of NPRC and their knowledgeable staff, I would never have dreamed of being where I am today. I will be graduating from RIT in August of 2022 having majored in Sociology and Criminal Justice, as well as having minored in Criminal Justice. I am excited to start a career in the federal Criminal Justice system or within admissions/counseling in higher education. I plan to put myself through law school while working full time after graduating from RIT.
-Ally, Former NPRC Student
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