The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator C on-line course is a self-paced course that meets the core subject area requirements of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Operator Knowledge Base Manual, providing the training required by rule for the Florida Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class C licensing examination.

Students taking this course for the Florida exam are required to have access to the latest editions of “Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 1,” and “Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume 2,” published by the Office of Water Programs, Sacramento State University. These course books may be purchased on-line at the following web address:

https://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater.php

The course subscription period is 6 months. The course is self-paced, and each lesson consists of a slide presentation without a narrative. The student observes the presentation and utilizes the course books as a reference for the lesson. There is a test after the lesson to evaluate the student’s knowledge of the lesson content. The course agenda is as follows:

• Introduction
• Module 1 - Professions
• Module 2 - Scientific Concepts
• Module 3 - Safety Hazards
• Module 4 - Hazardous Materials Regulations
• Module 5 - Basic Math
• Module 6 - Pumping and Hydraulics
• Module 7 - Disinfection
• Module 8 - Sampling Techniques
• Module 9 - Regulations
• Module 10 - Employability Skills
• Module 11 - Basics of Wastewater Treatment
• Module 12 - Wastewater Sources and Collection Systems
• Module 13 - Treatment Processes
• Module 14 - Troubleshooting and Sludge Management
• Module 15 - Inspection and Maintenance
• Module 16 - Common Operational Problems

The association recommends the use of a large screen device, such as a desktop computer, laptop computer or large tablet. The use of mobile devices, such as a cell phone, are discouraged, due to lack of detail.

There is a final exam, consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions, provided online after the student completes all of the course lessons. The program provides the student with three attempts to pass the exam with a score of 70% or better. After the student successfully completes the course lessons and passes the final exam, the FW&PCOA will mail the student a certificate of completion. This certificate is used when applying to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Class C licensing examination, to demonstrate completion of the requisite training course. If the student fails all three attempts at the final exam, the student fails the course.

For more information on the FDEP’s Operator Certification Program, regarding requirements and fees, please refer to the certification handbook, accessible at the following web address.

https://floridadep.gov/water/certification-restoration/documents/certification-handbook

If you have any questions regarding the online course, please contact either the Online Institute Program Manager at OnlineTraining@fwpcoa.org or the FW&PCOA Training Coordinator at training@fwpcoa.org.

Thank you!