PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

We are pleased to offer the following training opportunities for the owners and operators of treatment facilities in Virginia, ranging from small, onsite systems to the largest municipal plants. Some of these courses have also been of interest to people in other positions, such as public works directors, town/city accountants and managers, and engineers.

NOTE: If you go to a website that has a posted course that has already passed, it simply means that we have not yet updated the site for the next offering. See Upcoming Programs for a listing of current offerings or sign up for our mailing list to be notified.

Descriptions

Applied Math and Basic Science for Waterworks Operators
This course covers the math and science of real-world, water treatment applications. It is an intensive course that builds from introductory, basic skills to the application of many important principles. Topics may include the calculation of chemical feed rates, interpreting pump curves, interpreting water quality data, selecting the best coagulant dosage, calculating filter rates, interpreting water treatment regulations, and much more.
www.cpe.vt.edu/mssc/

Basic Groundwater Course for Small Systems
This short course covers various topics pertinent to the operation and maintenance of Class V and VI waterworks. Topics include water sources, safety, sample collection and analysis, operation and maintenance, regulations, and record keeping. A session on basic math is also included so that the calculations associated with operating a system can be better understood.
www.cpe.vt.edu/sswaterworks/

Contaminants of Concern: Chemistry, Toxicity and Treatment
In recent years, the quality of our drinking waters has come under unsurpassed scrutiny by the public due to accidents, new regulations, and a greater general awareness of the issues due to social media. Waterworks owners, operators, and supervisors are increasingly aware that they need to think more broadly about the possibility of accidents, emergency responses, and communications with their local community. This short course will cover these topics and more.
www.cpe.vt.edu/ccctt/

Continuing and Professional Education Water Quality Broadcast Series
These virtual workshops are broadcast throughout the Commonwealth via Zoom. Through the use of interactive technology you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and to ask specific questions of the presenters and participants around the state.
www.cpe.vt.edu/cpewater/

Groundwater Math for Small Systems
This course focuses on the math associated with small systems, ranging in classification from Class VI to IV. The course is also designed to complement our short course, Basic Groundwater Course for Small Systems, which has been offered and popular for several years. Among the topics addressed in this second groundwater course over a 3 day period are basic math, treatment systems, disinfection, water source, administrative math, hydraulics, and chemical feeders.
www.cpe.vt.edu/gwmath/

Establishing a Successful and Sustainable Waterworks: Revenues, Rates and Funding
In the present economic climate, it is critical that waterworks personnel understand and implement a business plan that allows for an analysis of needs, budget development, and capital improvements. As a part of the planning process, one needs to consider the appropriate rate structure for a community, potential sources of grants or low interest loans, and communication with decision makers and the public. All of these subjects will be covered through lecture, class discussions, and hands-on computer activities.
www.cpe.vt.edu/essw/

Hands-On Training at a Full Scale Water Plant
This program focuses on hands-on exercises at a full scale plant in southwest Virginia. This program is designed to demonstrate and supplement lessons learned in the annual summer short courses at Virginia Tech. The goal is to offer training that will help operators understand the function of treatment systems, operate their systems optimally, and produce safe water.
www.cpe.vt.edu/handson/

Management, Methods, and Money: Understanding Concepts in Capacity Development
This course focuses on the issues associated with capacity development (CD) in the waterworks industry. CD is broad term, encompassing many areas, including the managerial, technical, regulatory, and financial aspects of operating and maintaining a waterworks. If a waterworks is not in compliance, is not able to provide the needed quantity and quality of water, and cannot respond well to emergency situations, there are serious problems with the capacity of the waterworks. The goal of this course is to help the decision-makers for a waterworks and those who influence the decision-makers establish appropriate management and financial systems for maintaining and improving their waterworks.
www.cpe.vt.edu/mmm/

Operation and Maintenance of Distribution Systems
The short course will consist of classroom lectures, demonstrations and various hands-on exercises over a 4.5 day period. Participants will receive 3.7 CEUs (or 37 CPEs) for completing the entire course. Included among the course topics and activities are: Many aspects of safe practices - personal protective equipment (PPE), proper lifting, preventing falls/trips, excavation, confined space and much more; O&M of fire hydrants, tanks, meters and other components of a distribution system; Pipe repair; Flushing programs and procedures; Leak detection procedures; Proper sampling procedures (e.g., for disinfection by-products, TCR, plate counts) and relating results to the O&M of the distribution system; Water quality control, using methods such as flushing, modifications to tank operation, and re-chlorination; Use of equipment, including that used for trenching, trailering, and excavation; Tour of pumping station and storage tank.
www.cpe.vt.edu/omds/

Water Operations Math
This course is designed to help both licensure candidates and experienced operators strengthen their understanding of the applied math used in the operation of conventional water plants and small water systems. Licensure candidates in particular will find this course helpful when preparing to face the math portions of Class VI - Class I certification exams.
www.cpe.vt.edu/wom/

Water Treatment Plant Operators Short Course and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Short Course
The program is divided into eight short courses; three water classes and five wastewater classes. Each course requires one week to complete. The first level or first year in each area, water or wastewater, is designed to be introductory.
www.cpe.vt.edu/wwplant/