All 3.6 CEU's Specialized Training Course

All On-Demand Continuing Education Contact Hours Courses

Module 1: Understanding Water Hardness

• Define total, carbonate, and non-carbonate hardness and their impact on water systems.

• Explain how hardness causes scaling, staining, and soap precipitation in domestic and industrial systems.

Module 2: Lime Softening Chemistry and Principles

• Describe the chemical reactions that occur during lime softening, including precipitation of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.

• Identify key pH thresholds for calcium and magnesium removal and explain the role of recarbonation.

Module 3: Lime Types and Slaking Process

• Distinguish between quicklime and hydrated lime, and explain the lime slaking process including safety and equipment concerns.

• Identify challenges in lime feed systems such as dust control and caking.

Module 4: Softening Process Variants

• Compare partial lime, excess lime, lime-soda ash, caustic soda, and combined lime/caustic soda processes.

• Describe when to apply each process based on source water quality and operational goals.

Module 5: Process Flow and pH Stabilization

• Outline single-stage, double-stage, and split treatment lime softening designs.

• Explain the role of carbon dioxide in recarbonation and the need for pH adjustment post-softening.

Module 6: Ion Exchange Softening

• Explain how ion exchange (IX) works using sodium zeolite resins to replace calcium and magnesium with sodium ions.

• Describe the regeneration process using brine solution and identify the stages of IX operation (service, backwash, brine, rinse).

Module 7: Ion Exchange System Design

• Calculate resin capacity in grains per cubic foot and determine flow rates and resin bed requirements.

• Identify applications of IX systems including blending, fluoride saturator supply, and nitrate removal.

Module 8: Membrane and Brine Management

• Compare membrane softening with IX and lime softening in terms of pressure requirements and waste stream.

• Explain brine management strategies, environmental concerns, and regional solutions like the Santa Ana River brine line.

Activated Carbon Fundamentals

• • Principles of adsorption and contaminant removal
  • Types of activated carbon: powdered (PAC) and granular (GAC)
  • Sources of carbon (coconut shell, coal, wood) and performance differences
• Contaminants & Removal Targets
  • Inorganic contaminants: arsenic, fluoride, selenium, uranium
  • Organic contaminants: natural organic matter (NOM), disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, SOCs
  • Taste- and odor-causing compounds: geosmin and MIB from algae blooms
• Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
  • Application methods, slurry preparation, and safety precautions
  • Dosage determination using jar tests
  • Best practices for applying PAC ahead of chlorination
• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
  • Operation in filters and contactors
  • Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT) requirements (e.g., GAC10 standard)
  • Breakthrough curves, media replacement, and regeneration options
• Taste and Odor Control
  • Seasonal algae blooms and environmental causes of odor
  • Treatment options: PAC, GAC, copper sulfate, ozone, chlorine dioxide
  • Best practices for lake aeration and reservoir mixing to prevent odor events
• Operational Considerations
  • Safety precautions for PAC/GAC storage and handling (dust control, fire hazards, PPE)
  • Recordkeeping requirements for dosage, filter performance, and breakthrough monitoring
  • Cost and maintenance considerations for PAC vs. GAC systems

• California Water Regulations – 2.00 hrs

• Public Relations – 0.50 hrs

• System Operations – 2.00 hrs

• Water Services – 1.00 hrs

• Water Storage – 1.75 hrs

• Backflow-Cross Connection – 1.00 hrs

• Safety, Security, Emergency Response – 1.25 hrs

• Hydraulics – 2.00 hrs

• Meters – 1.25 hrs

• Fire Hydrants – 1.25 hrs

• Math – 4.25 hrs

• Water Sources – 2.25 hrs

• Pumps – 1.50 hrs

• Water Quality – 2.00 hrs

• Intro Distribution – 0.25 hrs

• Pipe – 1.25 hrs

• Info Mgmt and System Mapping – 1.00 hrs

• Instrumentation and Controls – 1.75 hrs

• Motors and Engines – 1.00 hrs

• Backfilling, Main Testing, Installation Safety - 1.00 hrs

• Main Installation and Rehabilitation - 1.50 hrs

• Review - Intro Distribution - 1.75 hrs

• Valves - 1.25 hrs

• Water Use and System Design - 1.25 hrs

1. Water Regulations – Intro Treatment (2.5 Contact Hours)
2. Water Sources & Characteristics – Intro Treatment (1 Contact Hours)
3. Wells and Groundwater - Intro Treatment (1.5 Contact Hours)
4. Coagulation and Flocculation - Intro Treatment (1.25 Contact Hours)
5. Sedimentation - Intro Treatment (1 Contact Hours)
6. Filtration - Intro Treatment (1.75 Contact Hours)
7. Water Disinfection - Intro Treatment (1.5 Contact Hours)
8. Water Disinfection Alternatives - Intro Treatment (1.75 Contact Hours)
9. Iron and Manganese - Intro Treatment (.75 Contact Hours)
10. Fluoridation - Intro Treatment (.5 Contact Hours)
11. Water Quality Testing & Contaminants of Emerging Concern - Intro Treatment (1.75 Contact Hours)
12. Corrosion Control - Intro Treatment (1.75 Contact Hours)
13. Lime Softening and Ion Exchange - Intro Treatment (.75 Contact Hours)
14. Activated Carbons, Taste, and Odor - Intro Treatment (.75 Contact Hours)
15. Membrane Technology - Intro Treatment (3 Contact Hours)
16. Instrumentation & Controls - Intro Treatment (2.75 Contact Hours)
17. Programmable Logic Controllers and Communications Systems - Intro Treatment (2 Contact Hours)
18. SCADA - Intro Treatment (2 Contact Hours)
19. Pumps and Pumping Systems - Intro Treatment (1.5 Contact Hours)
20. Electrical Power, Motors, and Motor Controls - Intro Treatment (2.75 Contact Hours)
21. Cross Connection – Intro Treatment (1.75 Contact Hours)
22. Info Mgmt and System Mapping - Intro Treatment (1 Contact Hours)
23. Administration, Records, and Reporting Procedures - Intro Treatment (.75 Contact Hours)

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Cross-Connection, Backflow Prevention, and Safety Module

Module 1: Cross-Connection and Backflow Basics

• Define cross-connection and backflow and distinguish between backpressure and backsiphonage.

• Identify common examples and risks associated with actual and potential cross-connections.

Module 2: Backflow Prevention Methods and Devices

• List the hierarchy of backflow prevention measures: air gaps, RPZs, DCVAs, and vacuum breakers.

• Match specific devices to hazard levels and application scenarios, such as hospitals, dishwashers, or sewage plants.

Module 3: Cross-Connection Control Programs

• Understand the elements of a cross-connection control program including inspections, device testing, public outreach, and regulatory standards.

• Explain the responsibilities of water system personnel in managing cross-connection risks.

Module 4: Safety Regulations and OSHA Compliance

• Recognize OSHA’s role in water facility safety and understand the General Duty Clause.

• Describe the hierarchy of safety implementation: engineering controls, warning systems, procedures, and PPE.

Module 5: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Chemical Handling

• Identify the required sections and functions of SDS for all facility chemicals.

• Demonstrate knowledge of safe chemical handling practices, including acid/base handling and PPE requirements.

Module 6: Confined Space Entry and Atmospheric Monitoring

• Define permit-required confined spaces and the roles of entrants, attendants, and supervisors.

• Interpret gas stratification data (e.g., methane, H2S) and acceptable atmospheric limits for oxygen and flammables.

Module 7: Fire and Tool Safety

• Distinguish between Class A, B, C, and D fires and the appropriate extinguishers for each.

• Apply safe practices for hand and power tool use, including guarding and PPE requirements.

Module 8: Lockout/Tagout and Electrical Isolation

• List the nine steps of the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedure.

• Explain LOTO roles and how to safely isolate and de-energize equipment prior to maintenance.

Module 9: Chlorine, Ozone, and Chemical Safety

• Describe the hazards and PPE requirements when working with chlorine and ozone.

• Explain safe practices for leak detection, SCBA use, spill response, and ozone room ventilation.

Module 10: UV and LOX System Hazards

• Identify safety procedures and equipment for working with UV light systems and mercury vapor lamps.

• Understand hazards of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) systems and proper storage, labeling, and ventilation protocols.

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Electrical Power, Motors, and Motor Controls Module

Module 1: Electrical Power Basics and Generation

• Describe how mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy in AC generators.

• Distinguish between single-phase and three-phase power systems and explain how voltage is generated and transmitted.

Module 2: Transformers and Voltage Distribution

• Identify the purpose and types of transformers (step-up, step-down, isolation) used in water treatment.

• Explain how power is distributed from generation to end-users and the role of Delta and Wye configurations.

Module 3: Safety and Arc Flash Awareness

• Define arc flash and explain its risks, causes, and mitigation methods.

• Understand the role of arc-flash protection relays and one-line diagrams in system design.

Module 4: Circuit Breakers and Overcurrent Protection

• List the components and types of circuit breakers, including thermal, magnetic, and thermal-magnetic types.

• Calculate overcurrent protection settings and describe dual-element protection strategies for motors.

Module 5: Motor Starters and Control Centers

• Describe the components and function of a motor control center (MCC) and NEMA motor starter sizes.

• Explain the operation of full voltage (DOL), reduced voltage, and solid-state starting methods.

Module 6: Overload Protection and Trip Curves

• Differentiate between thermal, bi-metal, and solid-state overload relays and explain how they protect motors.

• Interpret trip curves and understand inverse time delay behavior.

Module 7: Three-Phase and Single-Phase Motor Operation

• Identify the major components of AC motors, including stators and squirrel cage rotors.

• Understand slip, service factor, nameplate data, and proper testing techniques like using a megger and clamp-on ammeter.

Module 8: Reduced Voltage Starting and VFDs

• Compare different reduced voltage starting methods: autotransformer, wye-delta, part winding, and soft starts.

• Describe how VFDs optimize energy use and control torque for centrifugal and constant-torque loads.

Module 9: DC Motors and Specialized Applications

• Explain the structure and use of DC motors in low-power or legacy systems, including common failure points and field winding functions.

• Identify where DC motors are used in modern water treatment systems.

Module 10: Motor Operated Valves and Control Logic

• Understand how motor operated valves (MOVs) function under open/close, throttling, and modulating control.

• Describe push-button interlocks, reversing motor starters, and safe logic circuit design for motor direction control.

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Pumps and Pumping Systems Module

Module 1: Pump Components and Sealing Mechanisms

• Identify key pump parts such as impellers, wear rings, stuffing boxes, shaft sleeves, and lantern rings.

• Distinguish between mechanical seals and compression packing, and describe their maintenance and leakage control.

Module 2: Centrifugal and Positive Displacement Pumps

• Compare centrifugal and positive-displacement pump types and explain their principles of operation.

• Describe common centrifugal pump designs, including volute, diffuser, axial flow, and mixed flow.

Module 3: Pump Classifications and Applications

• Differentiate between close-coupled, frame-mounted, vertical turbine, submersible, booster, and deep-well pumps.

• Recognize where and why each pump type is used in drinking water systems.

Module 4: Pump Operation and Maintenance

• Explain the role of priming, foot valves, and suction lift in pump operation.

• Describe common maintenance checks including seal inspection, vibration monitoring, and alignment.

Module 5: Pump Performance and Efficiency

• Define and calculate water horsepower, brake horsepower, and motor horsepower.

• Interpret pump curves including head-capacity (H-Q), power (P-Q), and efficiency (E-Q) curves, and identify the best efficiency point.

Module 6: Hydraulics and System Design

• Define and calculate total dynamic head (TDH), total static head, suction lift, and friction head loss.

• Describe the Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) and how pressure loss is visualized along a system.

Module 7: Head Loss and Energy Considerations

• Use the Hazen-Williams equation to compute friction loss in pipes.

• Understand minor head loss sources like fittings and bends and their impact on overall system energy loss.

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – SCADA Systems Module

Module 1: SCADA System Overview and Core Functions

• Define SCADA and explain its role in monitoring, control, and decision-making for water and wastewater systems.

• List and describe the five basic functions of SCADA: data collection, data display, alarm processing, real-time and historical trending, and report generation.

Module 2: SCADA System Architecture

• Identify and describe the four main components of a SCADA system: central processor, communication network, data historian, and intelligent end devices (e.g., PLCs/RTUs).

• Explain the function of tag servers, tag databases, and communication interfaces such as Modbus TCP and OPC-UA.

Module 3: Communication Protocols and Network Infrastructure

• Compare communication technologies including Ethernet, RS-232/422/485, wireless WANs, and fiber optics.

• Differentiate between Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, and Ethernet/IP in terms of application, structure, and security.

• Explain polling, report-by-exception, and how SCADA integrates with PLCs via protocols and IP addressing.

Module 4: OPC Standards and SCADA Data Handling

• Describe the evolution from DDE and NetDDE to OPC-DA and OPC-UA standards.

• Identify how tags are structured and how metadata such as time stamps, alarm info, and quality are managed.

• Understand SQL integration and how tag values are stored and visualized.

Module 5: SCADA Alarming Best Practices

• Recognize the importance of alarm prioritization, escalation, and configuration to avoid nuisance alarms and alarm floods.

• Apply best practices in alarm management including re-alarming, tagging, and documentation of near misses.

Module 6: SCADA Failures and Case Studies

• Analyze real-world SCADA failures at Hyperion and West Point treatment plants to understand causes and mitigation strategies.

• Identify critical control system failure points including PLC power status, data historian loss, and gateway redundancy.

Module 7: SCADA Security and Availability

• Understand the concept of SCADA system availability (e.g., 99.999% uptime) and strategies like redundancy, crash carts, and server virtualization.

• Learn from cyberthreats such as Stuxnet and discuss the role of network design and backup systems in protecting critical infrastructure.

Module 8: Interface Design and Operator Awareness

• Apply principles from the ISA HMI Design Standard to improve operator visibility, reduce training time, and support situational awareness.

• Recognize the impact of good screen design on operator response time and alarm mitigation.

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – PLCs and Communication Systems Module

Module 1: Digital Fundamentals and Binary Systems

• Understand the binary numbering system and how bits and bytes are structured and interpreted.

• Identify how digital logic is applied in PLC programming and instrumentation.

Module 2: Communication Protocols and ASCII Encoding

• Explain the function of ASCII and its role in digital communication systems.

• Describe serial communication protocols (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485) including wiring standards, transmission direction, and data rates.

Module 3: Ethernet and LAN Technologies

• Compare LAN configurations such as peer-to-peer, domain, and star networks using hubs and switches.

• Describe Ethernet standards, MAC addressing, collision detection (CSMA/CD), and Power over Ethernet (PoE).

Module 4: Fiber Optic Communication

• Understand the structure and benefits of fiber optic cable and distinguish between single-mode and multi-mode applications.

• List advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic systems in SCADA networks.

Module 5: IP Networking and Data Transmission Protocols

• Define key internet protocol layers (IP, TCP, UDP) and their roles in routing and delivery.

• Explain how networked PLC systems communicate using Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP.

Module 6: PLC Basics and Ladder Logic

• Describe the history and purpose of PLCs in automation, including advantages over traditional relay systems.

• Identify the components of a PLC system: CPU, input/output sections, power supply, and communication interfaces.

• Interpret simple ladder logic diagrams and explain how they emulate relay logic.

Module 7: Analog and Digital Input/Output Systems

• Differentiate between digital and analog inputs and outputs and how signal conversion (A-to-D, D-to-A) works in a PLC.

• Identify the importance of bit resolution (e.g., 12-bit vs. 16-bit) for accuracy in analog signal processing.

Module 8: Remote I/O and Modular Design

• Explain how remote I/O modules extend PLC capabilities and identify best practices for modular expansion.

• Recognize hot-swappable components and troubleshooting techniques using status LEDs.

Module 9: SCADA Integration and HMI Systems

• Describe how PLCs connect to SCADA systems for data collection, trend logging, and real-time operator interaction through HMI touchscreens.

• Discuss the evolution and benefits of modern SCADA over legacy systems.

Module 10: Wireless Communication and Radio Systems

• Explain the use of radio telemetry in water system SCADA applications, including Multiple Address Systems (MAS) and spread spectrum radios.

• Identify factors affecting radio signal performance, including antenna type, frequency, line-of-sight, and power settings.

• Instrumentation and Controls – 1.75 hrs

• Backflow-Cross Connection – 1.00 hrs

• Meters – 1.25 hrs

• Pumps – 1.50 hrs

• Pipe – 1.25 hrs

• Water Quality – 2.00 hrs

• Water Sources – 2.25 hrs

• Math – 4.25 hrs

• Intro Distribution – 0.25 hrs

• Basic Chlorination – 2.00 hrs

• Public Relations – 0.50 hrs

• Water Services – 1.00 hrs

• System Operations – 2.00 hrs

• Fire Hydrants – 1.25 hrs

• Review – 1.75 hrs