The Small Water System Operator’s Training Program is a new curriculum consisting of seven classes that will be offered exclusively to eligible small water system operators.  These classes will provide those operators with an understanding of the principles and practices involved with collecting, treating, storing and distributing safe drinking water.  The courses are based on the Association of Boards of Certification Need-to-Know criteria for water treatment and distribution system operators and will be delivered across the State of Maryland.

Course Descriptions:

Introduction to Small System Water Treatment

TRE 4396-09-03:  W All (Process)
6 hours
This class will provide the participant with general information about the characteristics of water and how chemicals are used to treat source water.  Subjects covered will include the characteristics of water, the treatment requirements for ground and surface water as well as the safety and emergency preparedness requirements of a water treatment system.

Treatment Processes for Small Water Systems
TRE 4397-09-03:  W All (Process)
6 hours

This class will inform the participant about how coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration are used to remove contaminants from source water.  In addition, the student will receive instruction on the basic math skills required of a water treatment operator.

Disinfection and pH Adjustment

TRE 4398-09-03:  W All (Process)
6 hours
This class will inform the participant about pH adjustment and disinfection processes as well as the chemical and fee systems used in basic water treatment.

Maintaining Water Distribution Systems
TRE 4423-09-03:  W All; WD (Non-Process)
6 hours

This class will give the distribution system operator an overview of water distribution system theory, construction, operation, maintenance and safety.  Subject covered will include the design and construction of distribution systems, water quality monitoring, operation and maintenance tasks and safe working practices.

SDWA Compliance - Operators Exam Preparation

TRE 4399-09-03:  W All (Non-Process)
6 hours
This class will inform the participant how to maintain compliance with the federal and state drinking water regulations, including sample collection, and administrative responsibilities, and consumer confidence reports.  The student will also receive instruction and practice in how to take the state treatment and distribution system operator examinations.

Small Drinking Water System Superintendent and Manager's Course
TRE 4672-09-10:  WT All; WD All; Superintendents WT, WD (Non-Process)

The small water system manager or superintendent will be provided with an overview of the actions required to supply safe drinking water to their customers.  Subjects covered will include a review of federal and state drinking water regulations, legal responsibilities, water sampling requirements, public notification methodology, cross connection prevention, wellhead protection, emergency response requirements and best management practices.  At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:  describe the Federal and State drinking water regulations pertinent to small drinking water systems; discuss the administrative and recordkeeping requirements of small drinking water systems; discuss how to perform water quality sampling, testing and reporting; describe the components of a multiple-barrier approach to preventing water contamination; and, discuss the best management practices typical of a well maintained water system.

Mathematics for Small Water System Operators

TRE 4693-09-11: All Categories, All Classes (Non-Process)
6 hours

The small water system operator will learn how to successfully solve math problems typically found in the State’s operator certification examination.  Subjects covered include metric conversions, basic math problem solving, calculating volumes and flow rates, converting pressure to feet of head and chemical dosage calculations.  At the conclusion of this workshop, the participant will be able to:  identify and apply the various conversion factors used in the water industry; perform the basic mathematical operations required to solve water industry calculations; given various container sizes, accurately calculate the volume of water in each; discuss and solve problems related to flow rates and average flow; calculate the relationship between a water column’s height and pressure; and, accurately solve chemical dosage problems.  All students must bring a scientific calculator.