Water Treatment Technology Program

The Water Treatment Technology Program is available to applicants residing in Canada or outside Canada.

Program Overview

This program is designed to address the educational requirements of both operators working in the water industry and entry-level students interested in entering the water industry. The program supports a progressive credential structure through which students can gain three certificates and a diploma. The diploma credential can be further laddered into a degree in Bachelor of Technology (Trades & Technology Leadership). 

The main objective of the program is to provide a comprehensive educational opportunity for immediate and future plant operators and managers.

Students of this program will typically belong to one of the following general categories:

1. Entry-level students interested in entering the field of water technology.
2. Plant operators meeting or improving their industry certification level through attainment of continuing education units (CEUs).
3. Plant operators laddering their education into the Water Treatment Technology certificate and/or diploma Program.
   

The entire program, if taken on a full-time basis, is two academic years in length, or four semesters as follows:

• Level I Water Treatment Technology Certificate - first semester of 15 credits of coursework
• Level II Water Treatment Technology Certificate - first and second semester of 30 credits in total, of coursework
• Level III Water Treatment Technology Certificate - three full semesters of coursework totaling 45 credits
• Water Treatment Technology Diploma - Full four semesters of coursework totaling 60 credits

The program allows individuals to enter and exit the program in relation to the level of credential they are aspiring to achieve.  Each course currently available represents three credits (nine continuing education units (CEUs)) or one credit (three continuing education units CEUs).

The credential practicum(s) will expose students to the technology and operations of a water plant, which ensures the program’s applied nature is maintained. The details of the practicum(s) will be organized between the student, onsite practicum supervisor and program coordinator.

Admission Requirements

Continuous admission.

Completion of British Columbia Grade 12 (or equivalent) is required while Chemistry 11 and Principles of Mathematics 11 are both recommended. Beginning September 2013, applicants are recommended to have Math 11 (Foundations).

In lieu of the aforementioned requirements, individuals with industry-related experience may be admitted with less than the total admission requirements pending permission from the program coordinator.

Note: In order to be recognized as a certified operator in the province of BC, individuals must hold an Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) accredited certificate.  The Water Treatment Technology Program and associated courses received the approval of the EOCP to serve as appropriate technical training for CEUs. However, the TRU certificates are not equivalent to accredited EOCP certificates.

Residency Requirements

Level I, Level II and Level III Certificates each require 6 credits of TRU coursework (on-campus or distance).  The Water Treatment Diploma requires 9 credits of TRU coursework (on-campus or distance).

Credential Requirements

Certificate Water Treatment Technology Level I (15 credits)

Admission requirements: as above

WTTP 1171, Environmental Legislation (1)
WTTP 1181, Occupational Health and Safety (1)
WTTP 1191, Communications (1)
WTTP 1701, Water Sources (3)
WTTP 1711, Water Treatment I (3)
WTTP 1721, Applied Math and Science (3)
WTTP 1731, Mechanical Systems 1 (3)

Certificate Water Treatment Technology Level II (30 credits)

Admission Requirements:  Completion of Level I Water Treatment Certificate or equivalent

WTTP 1291, Moving Water (1)
WTTP 1301, Major Process Equipment (1)
WTTP 1311, Secondary Process Equipment (1)
WTTP 1801, Electrical Fundamentals I (3)
WTTP 1821, Instrumentation I (3)
WTTP 1851, Water Treatment II (3)
WTTP 1891, Practicum I (3)**

Certificate Water Treatment Technology Level III (45 credits)*

Admission Requirements:  Completion of Level II Water Treatment Certificate or equivalent

WTTP 2051, Introduction to Water Chemistry (1)
*WTTP 2061, Inorganic Species in Water (1)
*WTTP 2071, Organic Species in Water (1)
WTTP 2131, The History, Mechanisms and Classifications of Filters (1)
WTTP 2141, Slow and Rapid Sand Filtration (1)
WTTP 2151, Membrane and Alternative Filtration Techniques (1)
WTTP 2171, Basic Principles of Disinfection (1)
*WTTP 2181, Standard Disinfection Practices (1)
*WTTP 2191, Advanced Disinfection and Fluoridation Practices (1)
WTTP 2701, Electrical Fundamentals II (3)
WTTP 2721, Advanced Coagulation and Particle Removal (3)

*To complete this certificate some courses (WTTP 2061, 2071, 2181 & 2191) must be completed outside TRU-OL. Consult a program coordinator for possible options. 

Diploma Water Treatment Technology Requirements (60 credits)

Admission Requirements:  Completion of Level III Water Treatment Certificate or equivalent

WTTP 2291, Computers in Industry (1)
WTTP 2301, Advanced programmable Logic Controllers (1)
WTTP 2311, Industrial Communications and SCADA Systems (1)
WTTP 2331, People Management (1)
WTTP 2341, Asset and Operations Management (1)
WTTP 2351, Financial Management (1)
WTTP 2801, Microbiology and Toxicology (3)
**WTTP 2891, Practicum II (3) 
Elective Requirements (3)
**Consult a program coordinator regarding the completion of WTTP 1891 and WTTP 2891.

Note
The program is designed to be flexible so an operator working in a plant can apply to have the practicum performed at their work place. The details of the practicum will be organized between the operator, onsite practicum supervisor and program Coordinator. The program also recognizes past educational and work experience through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, which means a student may be granted credit for specific courses or portions of a program.