Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator-in-Training Certification Preparation
About the Drinking Water Operator-in-Training (OIT) Certification Preparation Program
This program provides a practical foundation in the operation of drinking water treatment and distribution systems. Delivered through three modules, the program introduces the scientific, mathematical, and technical principles used in water operations, including unit conversions, chemistry, hydraulics, electricity, pumps, motors, and the major processes and support systems involved in treating and distributing drinking water. Students develop an understanding of how these systems work together to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation.
The program is designed for individuals preparing to enter the drinking water industry or build foundational knowledge for operator certification. Emphasis is placed on practical system awareness, basic calculations, equipment operation, treatment and distribution processes, and the core technical concepts expected of entry-level operators. Upon successful completion, students will be prepared to write the Drinking Water Operator-in-Training certification examination administered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Highlights
- Flexible, self-paced online learning that allows students to study anytime, anywhere.
- The average completion time of the program is approximately 10 weeks of part-time study, totaling about 60 hours.
- Credit-bearing course with three modules worth 2 CEUs each, for a total of 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
- Earn a Certificate upon successful completion of the program.
- Extended student support hours with live help.
- Provides a strong foundation for individuals seeking to begin or advance a career in drinking water treatment and distribution, including entry-level operators, recent graduates, career changers, and employees of municipal, utility, industrial, or environmental organizations.
- Supports entry-level employment in municipal and utility drinking water operations, including positions such as water treatment plant operator, water distribution operator, utility operator, and environmental technician.
- Supports experienced operators who wish to refresh their knowledge, enhance their technical skills, or meet annual professional development and training requirements.
- Provides a foundation for obtaining Operator-in-Training certification and developing the practical knowledge needed to progress toward higher-level drinking water operator certifications and career advancement.
Program Outline
Module 1 – Introduction to Water Treatment Systems
This module introduces the fundamentals of drinking water treatment and distribution systems, including the major treatment stages, water quality considerations, distribution-system components, operator and technician roles, and essential safety and regulatory responsibilities. Students learn how raw water is treated and delivered to consumers, how treatment and distribution systems work together, and how operators use monitoring, testing, equipment knowledge, and safe operating practices to maintain reliable water quality and protect public health.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Name the main components of water distribution systems.
- Explain the basic stages of water treatment and their purposes.
- Differentiate between municipal and industrial systems and their challenges.
- Describe the functions of water distribution systems
- Identify causes and impacts of inflow, infiltration, blockages, and overflows.
- Explain operator and technician roles and the differences between them.
- List key safety practices such as PPE and hazard awareness.
- Explain regulatory compliance and the operator’s role in monitoring and reporting.
- Describe the role of laboratory analysis and process monitoring.
- Identify consequences of system failures on health, environment, and compliance.
Module 2 – Applied Science and Operator Mathematics
This module provides an introduction to the physical, chemical, biological, and mathematical concepts that support drinking-water treatment operations. Students examine important water-quality and process parameters such as pH, alkalinity, turbidity, hardness, and disinfectant residual, along with fundamental principles of hydraulics, electricity, sampling, and unit conversion. The module also develops practical operator calculation skills involving flow, volume, detention time, loading, concentration, and chemical dosing. Emphasis is placed on using these fundamentals to understand operating data, assess treatment conditions, and make informed process-control decisions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Describe key drinking-water chemistry and water-quality parameters.
- Explain basic chemical and microbiological concepts in drinking-water treatment.
- Recognize microorganisms and biological concerns affecting drinking water.
- Perform common flow, volume, mass, concentration, and time conversions.
- Explain basic electrical and hydraulic principles used in treatment operations.
- Describe proper sampling, preservation, calibration, and quality-control practices.
- Explain the purpose of common drinking-water laboratory tests.
- Calculate flow, volume, detention time, loading, and chemical dosing.
- Combine calculations while maintaining consistent units.
Module 3 – Treatment Plant Operations and Processes
This module introduces the major equipment and operating processes used in drinking-water treatment, including pumps and hydraulics, valves and piping, aeration, clarification, instrumentation, and SCADA. Students learn how these components work together, how to recognize normal and abnormal operating conditions, and how routine inspection, maintenance, reporting, housekeeping, and safe work practices support reliable plant operation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Identify major treatment plant equipment and processes.
- Explain how plant components work together.
- Describe basic pump and hydraulic operation.
- Explain the function of valves, piping, and flow control.
- Describe the role of aeration and air systems.
- Explain the purpose of clarifiers in water treatment.
- Identify the purpose of instrumentation and SCADA.
- Recognize normal and abnormal operating conditions.
- Explain the importance of maintenance, reporting, and housekeeping.
- Apply safe work practices around plant equipment.
Program Costs
The total cost of this program is $650 (ILP cost: $290 / Module cost: $120/module). Material fees are non-refundable.
Additional Information
- The program curriculum is web-based. Once a registration is confirmed, students will receive a confirmation email with a URL and login information from which to access the web-based curriculum.
- This online program is device and operating system independent, so you are free to access the program with any device, anytime and anywhere, via the Internet. All students need to do is connect to the cited website to start the program.
- Each module includes text lessons, animations, mini audio lectures, illustrations, review questions, and practice exams online to prepare students for computer-based final exams.
- Exams are written online using a computer-based testing package. A timed, 90-minute exam is taken to complete the module exams.
- The program is successfully completed once all 3 exams are written with a 70% or greater grade.