QuestionnaireCourse Overview

Oregon’s Drinking Water Program

Oregon/National Drinking Water Quality Standards

Waterworks OperationsWQT 111

Lecture 1

Today’s Outline• Questionnaire• Clackamas Water and Environmental Technology

Program• Oregon Drinking Water License Program • Syllabus/Course Outline• Website/blackboard• Drinking Water Standards• Homework (reading assignment)

Certificates and Degrees offered inWater & Environmental Technology

• One-Year Certificate of Completion in Water & Environmental Technology (W&ET)

• AAS: Associate of Applied Science• (Less-than-One-Year) Certificate of

Completion in High Purity Water Production

Why are you here?

Laid of

f/retr

a...

Milit

ary

Just

enter

ing ...

Decided

to go

...

25% 25%25%25%1. Laid off/retraining2. Military3. Just entering college4. Decided to go back to

school to complete college/degree

My career goals are?

25% 25%25%25%

1. To have a career in the waterworks industry

2. To have a career in the wastewater industry

3. To work in an environmental type field

4. To become an engineer

Are you interested in obtaining a Water or Wastewater Operators

License?

Yes No

Alre

ady h

ave o

...

Tell m

e more

67%

27%

0%7%

1. Yes2. No3. Already have one4. Tell me more

Which statement do you most agree with..

Energy a

nd per.

..

by fail

ing to ...

An inve

stmen

t ...

Any f

ool ca

n ...

20% 20%

47%

13%

1. Energy and persistence conquer all things.

2. by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

3. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

4. Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.

What do you consider the most important part of good

instruction?

7% 7%

21%

7%7%

50%1. Availability2. Open mindedness3. Passionate about subject

matter4. Be fair and consistent 5. Sense of humor 6. Have high standards and be

supportive

Oregon Statewide 2008Occupational Prioritization (Rank of High Wage ~30K

with Benefits)

Predictions For Years 2006-2016Job Openings 563Outlook Rank 17Total Jobs Ranked 270Outlook? 94%

Water and Wastewater Plant and System Water and Wastewater Plant and System OperatorsOperators

California/Oregon/Washington Water and

Wastewater Job Outlook“Word out of the California

Community College System Office (at American River College) is that 25% of all certified water and wastewater

operators in California will retire within the next three years. This

means a replacement workforce of 10,000 trained personnel, just for

California. Oregon and Washington’s picture is the same!”

Oregon Water and Wastewater Job Pay

2009

2008-2009 Salaries ~18-22/hr ~36 to 44 K

Wastewater Plant and System OperatorsWastewater Plant and System Operators

Water Plant and System OperatorsWater Plant and System Operators2008-2009 Salaries

~19/hr ~38 K

Water and Wastewater Students Scholarships & Waivers

Awarded 2009• Scholarships (4 students) $7,021• Waterworks Scholarships (3 students) $7,000• PNWS AWWA Scholarships (1 student) ~$1,400

$15,400

“2008-2009…Over 50% of students in our program have received scholarships!!!!”

Highlights of Water and Wastewater

Program2008 Job Placement• 100% Alumni (2008) placement in job market

• Water and Wastewater ABC License Exam Operator 1= 100% pass rate (treatment, collections, and distribution)• 100% student membership in WEF, PNCWA, and

AWWA!• Students active in Young Professional (YP)

Program

Highlights of Water and Wastewater

Program• Started in 1966 44 years• We host the Largest Wastewater

Short School on the West Coast 500 studentsFree for Clackamas Students!

• We host the Largest Waterworks Short School in Oregon 500 studentsFree for Clackamas Students!

• Largest Backflow Training Facility in Oregon– Student Scholarships

Highlights of Water and Wastewater

Program• High faculty to student ratios • Evening Coursework• Flexible program and block scheduling= less travel• Mandatory workplace internships• State of the art technology (SCADA)• State of the art instrumentation

How can I help you achieve your career goals?

Teach

the m

ateria

l as .

.

Letter

of rec

ommend..

.

Keep m

e notifi

ed of

a..

0% 0%0%

1. Teach the material as it applies to industry

2. Letter of recommendation3. Keep me notified of any

jobs

What is your education level?

High Schoo

l or G

ED

Associa

tes Deg

ree

BS or BA/Coll

ege D

...

Grad

uate Lev

el

0% 0%0%0%

1. High School or GED2. Associates Degree3. BS or BA/College Degree4. Graduate Level

Why are you taking this class?

I am in

teres

te...

I am w

orking

t...

0%0%

1. I am interested in working in the field.

2. I am working toward my degree/ certificate in Water and Environmental Technology

Which statement best describes you..

Procra

stinato

r...

My m

ind works

...

All I w

ant is

...

Can I p

ay m

y V...

If it d

oesn

't ...

0% 0% 0%0%0%

1. Procrastinators unite tomorrow2. My mind works like lightning, one

brilliant flash and it's gone3. All I want is less to do, more time to do

it, and higher pay for not getting it done.

4. Can I pay my Visa with my MasterCard?5. If it doesn't fit, force it; if it breaks, it

needed replacement anyway.

1. 2.

0%0%

.

1. 2.

I have access to the internet and can get to the course website?

Yes No

0%0%

1. Yes2. No

For examination purposes, I like…

Multip

le ch

oice

True/F

alse

Essay

All of th

e above

are o

k

0% 0%0%0%

1. Multiple choice2. True/False3. Essay4. All of the above are ok

I like to learn by

Active

learn

ing (learn

...

I enjoy i

nterac

tive l

ec...

Give

me t

he book a

nd ...

0% 0%0%

1. Active learning (learning by doing)

2. I enjoy interactive lectures

3. Give me the book and I can learn it myself

What part of the course interests you the most?

Drinkin

g Wate

r...

Aquifers

and W

...

Drinkin

g Wate

r...

Micr

obial Con

t...

Wate

r Source

s

Chlorine C

hemi...

0% 0% 0%0%0%0%

1. Drinking Water Program2. Aquifers and Wells 3. Drinking Water

Standards/Contamination4. Microbial Contamination5. Water Sources6. Chlorine Chemistry

Oregon Law“Oregon law requires owners of drinking water and

wastewater systems (public and private) to have their systems under the responsible control and direction of certified operators. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment.”

Oregon Operator Certification Exams

Wastewater Treatment and Collections Water Quality

Lewis LaForce

Department of Environmental Quality Department of Human ServicesDrinking water program

Water Treatment OperatorLevels 1-4

Water Distribution OperatorLevels 1-4

Wastewater treatment plant operator (1-4)

Filtration Endorsement

Water Operator Exam RequirementsLevel 1 Distribution or Treatment• HS/GED and 1 year experience• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 6 months of

experience.

Level 2 Distribution or Treatment• HS/GED and 3 year experience• Water certificate from C3 and 2 years experience

Level 3 Distribution or Treatment• HS/GED and 8 years experience (w 2.5 years of Operational Decision Making)• Water certificate from C3 and 5 years experience (w 2.5 years of Operational Decision Making)• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 4 years (w 2 years of Operational Decision Making)

Level 4 Distribution or Treatment *MUST BE A CURRENT LEVEL 3* • HS/GED and 10 years experience (w 3 years of Operational Decision Making)• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 6 years (w 3 years of

Operational Decision Making)

Why get an Associates or a Water Technology Certificate from C3

Level 1 Distribution or Treatment (85 or 120 $ exam fee)• HS/GED and 1 year experience• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 6 months of experience.

Pre Level 1= 14$ an hour = ~$28 k for newbiesLevel 1= ~16$ an hour = ~32 K after 1 yr or 6 months

~4K 6 month faster with AALose $ 4,000 in 6 month time span w/out a AA

Level 2 Distribution or Treatment (105 or 140$ exam fee)• HS/GED and 3 year experience• Water certificate from C3 and 2 years experience

Level 1= ~16$ an hour = ~32 KLevel 2= ~20 hr = ~40K within 2 years of hire

~8K 1 yr faster for the certificate or AA from C3

Moral: Lose $8K in 1 year w/out certificate or AA

1. Get work to pick up the tab?

Why get an Associates or a Water Technology Certificate from C3

Level 3 Distribution or Treatment (125 or 160$ exam fee)• HS/GED and 8 years experience (w 2.5 years of Operational Decision Making)• Water certificate from C3 and 5 years experience (w 2.5 years of Operational Decision Making)• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 4 years (w 2 years of Operational Decision Making)

Level 2= ~20 hr = ~40KLevel 3 = ~35 hr = ~65 K within 4 years of hire

~15K per year--- 3 yrs faster for the certificate and 4 years faster for the AA from C3

Moral to the story you will lose out on $ 45,000 of pay w/out a certificate or AA from C3

Level 4 Distribution or Treatment *MUST BE A CURRENT LEVEL 3* (145 or 180$ exam fee)• HS/GED and 10 years experience (w 3 years of Operational Decision Making)• 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 6 years (w 3 years of Operational Decision Making)Level 3 = ~25 hr = ~50K within 4 years of hire Level 4= ~40 hr = ~80K within 6 years of hire

~30K --- 4 yrs faster for the AA from C3

Moral to the story you will lose out on $ 60,000 of pay w/out a certificate or AA from C 3

Why get an Associates or a Water Technology Certificate from C3

Water Certificate from C3 will make you an extra ~$58,000 K in 5 years or save you ~58,000 in lost wages

Associates Degree from C3 will make you an extra $117,000 K in 6 years or save you ~117,000 K in lost wages

Our Certificate or an AA from C3 is well worth it (especially if your work picks up the tab!)

Today’s Outline• Questionnaire• Clackamas Water and Environmental Technology

Program• Oregon Drinking Water License Program• Registration Form• Syllabus/Course Outline• Website/blackboard• Drinking Water Standards• Homework (reading assignment)

Can you take a level I exam with a HS/GED and 6 months

experience?

True Fals

e

0%0%

1. True2. False

There are three types of Waterworks Operator Exams in

Oregon (Treatment, Distribution, and Filtration)?

True

False

0%0%

1. True2. False

The Department of Environmental Quality administers the

Waterworks Operators Exam in Oregon)?

True

False

0%0%

1. True2. False

After 4 years experience a Level 2 operator can skip level 3 and take

a level 4 exam?

True

False

0%0%

1. True2. False

Which of the following is true?

1. 2

year

Associa

tes...

2.

Water c

ertific

ate...

2 ye

ar Ass

ociates

de...

All o

f the a

bove

0% 0%0%0%

1. 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 4 years (w 2 years of Operational Decision Making) can take a level 3 exam

2. Water certificate from C3 and 2 years experience can take a level 2 exam

3. 2 year Associates degree in water technology from C3 and 6 months of experience can take a level 1 exam

4. All of the above

Oregon CEU PolicyContinued professional growth in field

2 college credits or CEUs every 2 years is satisfactory

One CEU is 10 contact hours of qualified instruction

Must be submitted with the renewal every 2 years (A-K even years; L-Z Odd years)

Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act

“To assure all Oregonians safe drinking water (1981).”

“sufficiently free from biological, chemical, radiological, or physical impurities such that individuals will not be exposed to disease or harmful physiological effects (1981).”

Oregon standards=national standards

Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act

Department of Human Services

Broad authority to set drinking water standards Requires regular water sampling by suppliers Samples analyzed in state approved laboratories Any problems and they will investigate

Primary Drinking Water Standards“Specify maximum contaminant levels based on health based criteria for public water

systems (40, CFR, pg 337)”

Secondary Drinking Water Standards“Aesthetic qualities relating to the public

acceptance of drinking water (40, CFR, pg 617)”

Five categories of 91 contaminants in US drinking water:

• Microbial Contaminants (7) plus Turbidity• Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products (7)• Inorganic Chemicals (16)• Organic Chemicals (56)• Radiologic Contaminants (5)

Primary drinking water standards are enforceable by law

but secondary are not?

True

False

0%0%

1. True2. False

Microbial Contaminants

• Types:– Viruses, bacteria, and parasites

• Source waters:– “All lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and some source water from

aquifers need to be disinfected”

Microbial Contaminants Surface Water Treatment

• Pathogenic organisms cause acute gastrointestinal disease in humans• Cryptosporidium (protozoa=human & animal fecal waste):

– Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, etc.– Resistant to chlorine

• Giardia Lamblia (protozoa=human & animal fecal waste): – Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, etc.

• Legionella (bacteria in warm water):

– Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, etc.

Organic Chemicals, Inorganic Chemicals, Microorganisms, Turbidity, Radionuclides

1. Organic Chemicals (104 violations in US 2003)

• Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOC) (26) *Man Made and Toxic (pesticides and industrial solvents)

• Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC) (78) *Vaporize at Room Temperature (degreasing agents, paint thinner, petroleum)

2. Inorganic Chemicals (2,635 violations in US 2003)

• Nitrates (767), Lead & Copper (1,539), Arsenic (29), etc.

• *Naturally Occurring or Man Made3. Microorganisms (9,056 violations in US 2003)

• Bacteria, Viruses, and Protozoa. *Test water for Total Coliforms (9,046)

*Cryptosporidium, E. Coli, and Giardia Microbial Contaminants (TC) are the Most Violated Drinking Water Standards!

4. Turbidity (10 violations in US 2003) Measurement of suspended matter in water

*Silt, Clay, Organics

5. Radionuclides (634 violations in US 2003)

• Radioactive contamination of drinking water. *Natural and Man Made Sources *Radon, Uranium, etc.

Oregon Public Water Systems

2,756 public water systems

Serve 25 or more people for at least 60 days a year Subject to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act

Community Water Systems

A community water systems serves at least 15 service connections used by year round residents.

898 community systems Serve three million people Can be mobile home parks or the City of Portland

Nontransient Noncommunity Water Systems

Serve non-residential populations consisting of the same people everyday with its own independent water supply system.

345 in Oregon Schools or workplace with own water system

Transient Noncommunity Water Systems

Serve transient populations

1,513 in Oregon Campgrounds, Parks, Restaurants with own water systems

The city of Portland who supplies thousands of people (and has thousands of connections) with Bull Run

water is a community PWS

True Fals

e

0%

100%1. True2. False

50 year round residents with their own water system (which includes 30 service connections) is a

community PWS.

True Fals

e

13%

87%1. True2. False

250 people who are staying at the KOA campground in the OC that visit/drink water from the campground’s water system is a transient, non community, public

water system?

True Fals

e

0%

100%1. True2. False

Drinking Water Standards Developed in 1974 Safe Water Drinking Act

Primary StandardsOrganic Chemicals, Inorganic Chemicals,

Microorganisms,Turbidity, Radionuclides

Secondary Standardsmaintain aesthetic purposes of water

The objectives for this week were met with the assignment and

lecture?

Strongly

Agree

Agree

Disa

gree

Strongly

Disagree

46%

0%8%

46%

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Disagree4. Strongly

Disagree

Overview of Water and Environmental Technology Program and Oregon Operators Licensure Program