Upon completion of this course, operators should have a clear understanding of operator responsibilities, certification requirements, and career management strategies. Operators completing this course should also be able to develop and conduct a safety program and tailgate safety sessions; be able to safely operate and maintain pumps, wells, vehicles, and equipment. Operators will also learn about defensive and safe vehicle driving, routing traffic, working safely in streets, protecting the public, and conducting safety inspections of waterworks facilities.

Upon completion of this course, operators should be able to identify various types of storage facilities, pipes, joints, meters, and backflow prevention devices. Operators will learn how to determine suitable locations for facilities, inspect storage facilities, take a storage facility out of service and return it to service, safely operate, maintain, and select protective coatings for a storage facility, apply interior and exterior protective coatings, collect samples from a storage facility, protect equipment from corrosion, disinfect a storage facility, and maintain records. Operators will understand the purpose of a water distribution system, distribution system storage, and pumping facilities, the importance of hydraulics, how to properly and safely install pipe, and how to determine the need for and safely install backflow protection devices. Also included: surge control in pipelines carrying liquids.

Upon completion of this course, operators should be able to identify various types of contaminants and contamination sources and identify and correct causes of water quality degradation in water mains and storage facilities. Operators should also be able to disinfect new and existing wells, pumps, mains, and storage facilities; calculate chlorine dosage; operate and maintain hypochlorinators and chlorinators; troubleshoot chlorination systems; and conduct a chlorine safety program.

Upon completion of this course, operators should be able to develop and conduct a water distribution system surveillance program, a water quality monitoring program, and a cross-connection control program; locate and repair buried pipes and leaks; make pipe connections; flush and clean pipes; thaw frozen pipes and hydrants; test and read meters; disinfect mains and storage facilities; conduct effective recordkeeping; respond to emergencies; deal with the public; perform landscape maintenance around facilities; and safely operate and maintain a water distribution system.

Upon completion of this course, operators should be able to perform the following administrative functions: emergency planning; constructing an organizational chart; writing a job description and interview questions; conducting employee evaluations; ensuring equal and fair treatment to all employees; practicing effective communication within the organization; financial planning; setting up a safety program; and maintaining effective distribution system record management.