Water Technology

EPA State Environmental Training Program

Associate Degree: Water Utility Operation

Certificate of Completion

(575) 527-7584

The Water Technology program is an award-winning, up-to-date technical training opportunity that will open doors to a career anywhere in the United States. Graduates of this program have found work in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, California, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Puerto Rico. More than 300 graduates have begun careers in the water field, working in such diverse areas as the semiconductor industry, the food processing industry, aerospace industry, electrical power industry, city water and wastewater departments, municipal or contract analytical laboratories, water reuse or recycling plants, metal plating companies, engineering consulting firms, and state planning offices.

While jobs are widely available, training programs like this one are rare. As the treatment of water becomes more technical, municipalities and industries rely on training programs to fill their needs. Students in this program learn how to clean water to make it safe for drinking and how to purify water to a high quality for use in computer chip manufacturing, food processing, or steam generation. They will also learn how to treat wastewater so it can be safely returned to the environment or reclaimed for beneficial use.

Instruction also includes maintaining equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, and chemical feeders; laboratory testing and analysis; water chemistry and microbiology; and some basics of supervising and managing a water utility, including budgets, preventive maintenance schemes, and billing. Various course assignments requiring laboratory data sheets, simple process control spreadsheets, and term papers enable students to sharpen their computer and writing skills. General studies in basic algebra, applied math, water chemistry and microbiology, speech, and technical writing round out the curriculum.

Opportunities for students to gain new knowledge and skills in operations, maintenance, and laboratory areas are provided through classroom training, hands-on laboratories, field trips, guest lectures, and training on the program’s own water and wastewater plants.

Before graduating, students will spend a minimum of 180 hours at a cooperative education site with a municipality or industry. Students have found co-ops at water and wastewater plants in Albuquerque, El Paso, Las Cruces, Socorro, Hobbs, Silver City, Mesilla, and Glorieta, and with industries such as Intel and Kurita America.

Financial aid beyond loans, grants, work-study monies, and DACC scholarships include five private scholarships specifically for Water Technology students: 1) Max Summerlot Memorial Scholarship, given to a water technology student in his or her second year in the program; 2) Cynthia Hiers-Robinson Curent-Use Scholarship; 3) Jake Hands Memorial Scholarship; and 4) two scholarships presented by the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association.

Additional Graduation Requirements

To receive either an associate degree or a certificate of completion, students are required to obtain a Career Readiness Certificate in the areas of Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Locating Information at the appropriate level for their respective degree option. To facilitate success in obtaining their Career Readiness Certificate students will be required to take between 1 and 3 credits of OETS 102OETS 102: Career Readiness Certification Preparation - 1-3 cr.
This course is designed to prepare students to successfully obtain Career Readiness Certifications in all areas and at the appropriate levels for their program of study. Graded: S/U only. – Career Readiness Certification Preparation. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue Career Readiness Certifications in other areas that have been identified for their degree option. A program dvisor
can provide additional information.

NOTE: Courses appearing in italics are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus. The remaining courses are applicable toward the bachelor of applied studies degree offered by the NMSU College of Extended Learning. At least 36 hours of the technical requirements are applicable toward the bachelor’s degree in agricultural and extension education offered by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University.

Associate Degree (68-70 credits)

NOTE: Students must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 with a final grade of C or better in English 111G and all required OEWU courses.

Core Requirements      13 Credits

OR OR	BOT 209BOT 209: Business and Technical Communications - 3 cr. Effective written communication skills and techniques for career success in the work place. Composition of letters, memos, short reports, forms, and proposals, and technical descriptions and directions. Prerequisites: ENGL 111G and computer keyboarding ability or consent of instructor. – Business and Technical Communications ENGL 203GENGL 203G: Business and Professional Communication - 3 cr. Effective writing for courses and careers in business, law, government, and other professions. Strategies for researching and writing correspondence and reports, with an emphasis on understanding and responding to a variety of communication tasks with a strong purpose, clear organization, and vigorous professional style. – Business and Professional Communication ENGL 218GENGL 218G: Technical and Scientific Communication - 3 cr. Effective writing for courses and careers in sciences, engineering, and agriculture. Strategies for understanding and presenting technical information for various purposes to various audiences. – Technical and Scientific Communication	3
	COMM 265GCOMM 265G: Principles of Human Communication - 3 cr. Study and practice of interpersonal, small group, and presentational skills essential to effective social, business, and professional interaction. – Principles of Human Communication	3
	ENGL 111GENGL 111G: Rhetoric and Composition - 4 cr. Skills and methods used in writing university-level essays. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 16 or higher during regular semester (20 or above during summer) or successful completion of a developmental writing course or the equivalent. – Rhetoric and Composition	4
OR	PSY 201GPSY 201G: Introduction to Psychology - 3 cr. (3+3P) Methods and principles of behavior. Topics include human evolution and development, biopsychology, perception, learning, thinking, motivation, social interaction, and the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior. – Introduction to Psychology SOC 101GSOC 101G: Introductory Sociology - 3 cr. Introduction to social theory, research, methods of analysis, contemporary issues in historical and cross-cultural contexts. Covers groups, deviance, inequality, family, gender, social change, and collective behavior. – Introductory Sociology	3

Related Requirements      6-8 Credits

	BMGT 140BMGT 140: Principles of Supervision I - 3 cr. Principles of supervision emphasizing planning, organization, rating of employees and procedures to develop good morale. Introduction to interpretation of case studies. Restricted to: Community College campuses only. – Principles of Supervision I	3
	OEMG 265OEMG 265: Special Topics - 1-6 cr. Course subtitled in the Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. – Special Topics	2
	OETS 102OETS 102: Career Readiness Certification Preparation - 1-3 cr. This course is designed to prepare students to successfully obtain Career Readiness Certifications in all areas and at the appropriate levels for their program of study. Graded: S/U only. – Career Readiness Certification Preparation	1-3

Technical Requirements      49-51 Credits

	OEWU 120OEWU 120: Introduction to Water Systems - 3 cr. Introduction to and theory of groundwater sources, production, treatment, and distribution. – Introduction to Water Systems	3
	OEWU 130OEWU 130: Wastewater Collection and Basic Treatment Systems - 3 cr. Introduction to wastewater characteristics, collection, and basic treatment operations. – Wastewater Collection and Basic Treatment Systems	3
	OEWU 140OEWU 140: Applied Water and Wastewater Math I - 3 cr. Introduction to basic water and wastewater mathematics, flows through distribution networks and collection systems, and fundamentals of flow measurement. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or equivalent. – Applied Water and Wastewater Math I	3
	OEWU 160OEWU 160: Systems Maintenance - 4 cr. (2+4P) Basic tools, equipment, maintenance schedules, chlorinator trouble-shooting, and chlorine safety. Hands-on training with valves, pumps, meters and chlorination equipment. – Systems Maintenance	4
	OEWU 180OEWU 180: Water Chemistry - 3 cr. Basic chemistry with applications to water and wastewater analysis. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or consent of instructor. – Water Chemistry	3
	OEWU 182OEWU 182: Water Chemistry Analysis - 1 cr. (3P) Beginning water and wastewater laboratory analysis including gravimetric, volumetric, and quality control techniques. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or equivalent or consent of instructor. – Water Chemistry Analysis	1
	OEWU 190OEWU 190: Water and Wastewater Microbiology - 3 cr. Overview of microorganisms associated with water and wastewater. Growth and reproduction, energy production, and methods of counting. Prerequisite: OEWU 130, OEWU 180, or consent of instructor. – Water and Wastewater Microbiology	3
	OEWU 192OEWU 192: Water and Wastewater Microbiological Analysis - 1 cr. (3P) Introduction to water and wastewater treatment operational tests such as BODs, solids testing, activated sludge control tests, use of microscope, and bacteriological techniques. Prerequisites: OEWU 130 and OEWU 182, or consent of instructor. – Water and Wastewater Microbiological Analysis	1
	OEWU 200OEWU 200: Cooperative Experience - 3-5 cr. On-the-job training/work experience with municipalities or industries, working in water or wastewater treatment plants, high purity water plants, industrial waste plants, distribution systems, or wastewater collection systems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 5 credits. Graded S/U. – Cooperative Experience	3-5
	OEWU 220OEWU 220: Water Treatment Systems - 3 cr. Theory of water systems operation including surface water treatment, fluoridation, sodium zeolite softening, corrosion control, iron removal, various filtration methods, and overview of SDWA. Prerequisites: OEWU 180 and OEWU 182 or consent of instructor. – Water Treatment Systems	3
	OEWU 222OEWU 222: Water Systems Operation - 1 cr. (3P) Operations of various water treatment systems including surface water treatment, sodium zeolite softeners, and various filtration methods. Prerequisite: OEWU 220 or consent of instructor. – Water Systems Operation	1
	OEWU 230OEWU 230: Advanced Wastewater Treatment - 4 cr. Calculations and operations involved in wastewater and water reclamation plants. Prerequisites: OEWU 140, OEWU 190, and OEWU 192, or consent of instructor. – Advanced Wastewater Treatment	4
	OEWU 232OEWU 232: Wastewater Systems Operations - 1 cr. (3P) Operation of pretreatment, primary, and biological treatment units. Prerequisite: OEWU 230 or consent of instructor. – Wastewater Systems Operations	1
	OEWU 240OEWU 240: Advanced Water and Wastewater Math II - 3 cr. (2+2P) Advanced water and wastewater mathematics. Flow measurement. Systems head and pump curves. Prerequisites: OEWU 140. – Advanced Water and Wastewater Math II	3
	OEWU 250OEWU 250: Municipal Systems Management - 4 cr. Management of water utility systems including laws, finance, records, and safety. Prerequisites: OEWU 120, OEWU 130. – Municipal Systems Management	4
	OEWU 275OEWU 275: Certification Review - 3 cr. Review of water and wastewater plant operations and laws in preparation for state certification exams. Prerequisites: OEWU 220, OEWU 230, and OEWU 240. – Certification Review	3
OR	Choose one of the following pairs of courses: OEWU 285OEWU 285: High Purity Water Treatment Systems - 3 cr. Principles of high purity water production including microfiltration, ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis, and deionization. Prerequisite: OEWU 220. – High Purity Water Treatment Systems + OEWU 287OEWU 287: Advanced Water Chemistry Analysis - 3 cr. (6P) Sampling techniques, analysis, and evaluation of potable water contaminants using gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, and other instrumentation methods. Prerequisite: OEWU 285 or consent of instructor. – Advanced Water Chemistry Analysis. (fall only) OEWU 290OEWU 290: Advanced Wastewater Microbiology and Chemistry - 3 cr. Covers NPDES permits and DMR calculations and reporting; 503 sludge regs, including pathogen and vector attraction reduction and pollutants; wetlands, composting, and wastewater treatment ponds microbiology; activated sludge bulking and foaming microbiology and treatment; and use of selector to remove nutrients and prevent the growth of filamentous bacteria. Prerequisite: OEWU 190, OEWU 192. – Advanced Wastewater Microbiology and Chemistry + OEWU 292OEWU 292: Advanced Wastewater Analysis - 3 cr. (6P) Covers sampling techniques, analysis, and evaluation of wastewater contaminants using gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, and other instrumentation methods. Prerequisite: OEWU 190 and OEWU 192. – Advanced Wastewater Analysis. (spring only)	6

Certificate (33-39 credits)

A one-year curriculum is available for individuals who choose not to pursue the associate degree. Graduates of the one-year program have the capability to work in a municipal water or wastewater treatment plant.

Related Requirements      9-13 Credits

OR	BOT 101BOT 101: Keyboarding Basics - 3 cr. (2+2P) Covers correct fingering and mastery of the keyboard to develop skillful operation. Formatting basic business letters, memos, and manuscripts. – Keyboarding Basics BOT 105BOT 105: Business English I - 3 cr. Training and application of the fundamentals of basic grammar, capitalization and sentence structure (syntax). – Business English I	3
	BMGT 140BMGT 140: Principles of Supervision I - 3 cr. Principles of supervision emphasizing planning, organization, rating of employees and procedures to develop good morale. Introduction to interpretation of case studies. Restricted to: Community College campuses only. – Principles of Supervision I	3
	OETS 102OETS 102: Career Readiness Certification Preparation - 1-3 cr. This course is designed to prepare students to successfully obtain Career Readiness Certifications in all areas and at the appropriate levels for their program of study. Graded: S/U only. – Career Readiness Certification Preparation	1-3
	Approved electives	2-4

Technical Requirements      24-26 Credits

	OEWU 120OEWU 120: Introduction to Water Systems - 3 cr. Introduction to and theory of groundwater sources, production, treatment, and distribution. – Introduction to Water Systems	3
	OEWU 130OEWU 130: Wastewater Collection and Basic Treatment Systems - 3 cr. Introduction to wastewater characteristics, collection, and basic treatment operations. – Wastewater Collection and Basic Treatment Systems	3
	OEWU 140OEWU 140: Applied Water and Wastewater Math I - 3 cr. Introduction to basic water and wastewater mathematics, flows through distribution networks and collection systems, and fundamentals of flow measurement. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or equivalent. – Applied Water and Wastewater Math I	3
	OEWU 160OEWU 160: Systems Maintenance - 4 cr. (2+4P) Basic tools, equipment, maintenance schedules, chlorinator trouble-shooting, and chlorine safety. Hands-on training with valves, pumps, meters and chlorination equipment. – Systems Maintenance	4
	OEWU 180OEWU 180: Water Chemistry - 3 cr. Basic chemistry with applications to water and wastewater analysis. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or consent of instructor. – Water Chemistry	3
	OEWU 182OEWU 182: Water Chemistry Analysis - 1 cr. (3P) Beginning water and wastewater laboratory analysis including gravimetric, volumetric, and quality control techniques. Prerequisite: CCDM 114N or equivalent or consent of instructor. – Water Chemistry Analysis	1
	OEWU 190OEWU 190: Water and Wastewater Microbiology - 3 cr. Overview of microorganisms associated with water and wastewater. Growth and reproduction, energy production, and methods of counting. Prerequisite: OEWU 130, OEWU 180, or consent of instructor. – Water and Wastewater Microbiology	3
	OEWU 192OEWU 192: Water and Wastewater Microbiological Analysis - 1 cr. (3P) Introduction to water and wastewater treatment operational tests such as BODs, solids testing, activated sludge control tests, use of microscope, and bacteriological techniques. Prerequisites: OEWU 130 and OEWU 182, or consent of instructor. – Water and Wastewater Microbiological Analysis	1
	OEWU 200OEWU 200: Cooperative Experience - 3-5 cr. On-the-job training/work experience with municipalities or industries, working in water or wastewater treatment plants, high purity water plants, industrial waste plants, distribution systems, or wastewater collection systems. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 5 credits. Graded S/U. – Cooperative Experience	3-5