Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator-in-Training Certification Preparation
About the Water and Wastewater (WWT) Operator-in-Training (OIT) Certification Preparation
The Water and Wastewater (WWT) Operator-in-Training (OIT) Certification Preparation Certificate is a comprehensive training program designed for individuals seeking to build the technical knowledge and exam readiness required to begin a career in the water and wastewater industry.
The program provides in-depth coverage of the core subject areas associated with water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection operations. Going beyond a basic overview, the curriculum helps learners develop a practical understanding of treatment processes, equipment, operational procedures, safety practices, regulatory requirements, sampling techniques, laboratory fundamentals, and operator calculations.
Students gain the foundational knowledge needed to support entry-level operator roles in municipal, industrial, environmental, and utility-based water and wastewater systems.
The WWT OIT Micro-credential prepares learners to write any of the four Operator-in-Training (OIT) certification examinations offered by OWWCO: Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution/Water Distribution and Supply (WD/WDS), Wastewater Treatment (WWT), and Wastewater Collection (WWC).
Designed for individuals with little or no prior industry experience, the course helps learners build the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully write OIT examinations and begin a career as a certified operator. For students outside Ontario or Canada, the program also provides a broad and practical foundation in water and wastewater operations that is relevant across many jurisdictions.
While certification requirements vary by province, state, and country, the technical concepts covered in this program are widely applicable to entry-level operator training, certification preparation, and career development. The program may also benefit experienced operators seeking to refresh their knowledge, enhance their skills, or meet ongoing professional development and annual training requirements.
Highlights
- Flexible, self-paced online learning that allows students to study anytime, anywhere.
- Credit-bearing course with three modules worth 3 CEUs each, for a total of 9 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
- Earn a Certificate upon successful completion of the program.
- Extended student support hours with live help.
- Prepares students to write any of the four Operator-in-Training (OIT) certification examinations administered by the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO) on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP): Water Treatment (WT), Water Distribution/Water Distribution and Supply (WD/WDS), Wastewater Treatment (WWT), and Wastewater Collection (WWC).
- Provides a strong foundation for individuals seeking entry-level employment in municipal, industrial, environmental, and utility-based water and wastewater operations.
- Supports experienced operators who wish to refresh their knowledge, enhance their technical skills, or meet annual professional development and training requirements.
Program Outline
Module 1 – Introduction to Water and Wastewater Systems
An overview of water and wastewater systems, including treatment processes, collection and distribution networks, and system operations. Learners will explore safety practices, regulatory requirements, and common system challenges that impact public health and environmental compliance.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Name the main components of water, wastewater, collection, and distribution systems.
- Explain the basic stages of water treatment and their purpose.
- List the main stages of wastewater treatment and contaminants removed.
- Differentiate between municipal and industrial systems and their challenges.
- Describe the function of collection systems, distribution systems, and lift stations.
- 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 – Chemistry, Biology & Math for Operator
Introduction to the chemistry, biology, and math concepts essential to wastewater treatment operations. Learners will explore key water quality parameters, the role of microorganisms in treatment processes, basic laboratory testing, and calculations used for flow, loading, detention time, and chemical dosing.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Explain the role of chemistry, biology, and math in wastewater treatment.
- Define key parameters such as pH, alkalinity, DO, BOD, COD, TSS, and nitrogen.
- Describe how pH, alkalinity, and DO affect biological treatment and microorganisms.
- Identify the roles of bacteria and protozoa in wastewater treatment.
- Perform unit conversions including flow, volume, mass, concentration, and time.
- Describe proper sample handling, preservation, storage, and holding time.
- Identify the purpose of basic lab tests such as pH, DO, TSS, and VSS.
- Perform calculations for flow, volume, detention time, loading, and chemical dosing
Module 3 – Equipment and Systems
Overview of major water and wastewater treatment plant equipment and how systems work together to support operations. Learners will explore pumps, valves, aeration systems, clarifiers, instrumentation, and SCADA systems, while emphasizing safe work practices, maintenance, and recognizing operating conditions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this Module you will be able to:
- Identify major treatment plant equipment and systems.
- Explain how plant equipment works together as a system.
- Describe the basic operation of pumps and hydraulic systems.
- Discuss the function of valves, piping, and flow control equipment.
- Explain the role of aeration and air systems in treatment.
- Describe the purpose of clarifiers and sludge handling systems.
- Identify the purpose of instrumentation and SCADA systems.
- Recognize normal and abnormal operating conditions.
- Explain the importance of maintenance, reporting, and housekeeping.
- Apply safe work practices around plant equipment.
Operator in Training (OIT) Certification Preparation
The program includes dedicated OIT exam preparation Practice Exams for:
• Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
These Practice Exams are designed to help you become more comfortable with exam-style questions and reinforce your understanding of key water and wastewater concepts.Students preparing for certification exams should use these exams as part of their final review process
Porgram Costs
The total cost of the course is $650 ($350 tuition/$300 learning materials). 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.