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 – Administration, Records, and Reporting Module

Module 1: Operational Planning and Goals

• Define common treatment plant operational goals including turbidity control, chlorine residual maintenance, and cost efficiency.

• Understand the importance of maintaining minimum chemical supplies and planning for disruptions in procurement.

Module 2: Chemical Management and Instrumentation

• Explain the critical role of coagulants, chlorine, fluoride, pH control, and turbidity monitoring in plant operations.

• Describe instrumentation systems, process control strategies, and SCADA integration used to maintain water quality.

Module 3: Plant Operator Duties

• Identify daily and emergency tasks of water treatment operators including data logging, SCADA alarm responses, and balancing clear well flows.

• Understand clear well function and the regulatory requirements for treated water storage and diversion.

Module 4: Regulatory Reporting and Compliance

• List the key monthly reports required by the State of California, such as coliform data, disinfection byproducts, filtration summaries, and fluoridation reports.

• Understand the significance of timely and accurate recordkeeping for regulatory and operational review.

Module 5: Disinfection Protocols and Contingencies

• Explain the steps to take in the event of disinfection failure or unsafe drinking water, including isolation and state notification.

• Describe the switchover process between ozone and free chlorine systems.

Module 6: Public Relations and Customer Interaction

• Identify best practices for public communication including advance notification, respectful behavior, and complaint response.

• Understand how employee conduct and professionalism influence public support and trust.

Module 7: Complaint Resolution and Escalation

• List typical customer complaints and describe how to respond effectively and respectfully.

• Explain procedures for handling abusive behavior and escalating serious issues to supervisors.

Module 8: Representing the Utility

• Describe guidelines for employee appearance, behavior, and interaction with media while representing the water utility.

• Identify key customer service skills such as courteous driving, proper address, and clean work areas.

Module 9: DigAlert and Utility Coordination

• Understand the requirements of the Underground Service Alert (USA) and when to call 811 before excavation.

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.

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Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Instrumentation and Controls Module

Module 1: Electrical Fundamentals for Operators

• Explain Ohm’s Law and Watt’s Law, including the relationships between voltage, current, resistance, and power.

• Differentiate between AC and DC systems, understand basic circuits, and perform basic electrical calculations.

Module 2: 4–20 mA Signal Systems

• Describe how a 4–20 mA analog signal is used in instrumentation to represent process measurements.

• Calculate current, voltage, and signal percentages using real-world transmitter and receiver examples.

• Identify the five main test points in a 4–20 mA loop and explain signal range behavior.

Module 3: Sensors and Transmitters

• Recognize common instrumentation types such as pressure, level, flow, pH, and chlorine sensors.

• Differentiate between submersible, ultrasonic, and bubbler level measurement systems.

• Explain the conversion of physical process variables into electronic signals using transmitters.

Module 4: Flow and Pressure Measurement

• Describe methods for measuring flow including Venturi meters, orifice plates, magnetic, ultrasonic, and turbine flow meters.

• Understand the use of square root extraction for differential pressure flow devices and calculate flow from pressure inputs.

Module 5: Process Monitoring and Calibration

• Explain the role of process analyzers for turbidity, chlorine, and pH and their importance in regulatory compliance.

• Interpret SCADA and PLC data for monitoring and troubleshoot signal anomalies using calibration procedures and instrumentation math.

Module 6: Digital Communication and Instrumentation Standards

• Describe digital communication protocols such as HART and Modbus and their use in multi-variable transmitters.

• Identify components of a digital signal system and explain the advantages of handheld vs. PC-based HART communication.

Module 7: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

• Understand PLC history, components (CPU, I/O, power supply), and ladder logic programming basics.

• Describe how analog signals are processed in a PLC and identify troubleshooting techniques for analog inputs and outputs.

Module 8: Safety Instrumentation and Protective Systems

• Identify common protective instruments used in chlorine, ozone, and ammonia systems, and explain their role in safety.

• Describe applications of safety instrumentation such as temperature monitoring and leak detection for employee protection.

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Membrane Technology Module

Module 1: Membrane Filtration Fundamentals

• Define membrane filtration and describe how straining through a semi-permeable barrier removes particles.

• Differentiate between MF, UF, NF, and RO based on pore size, pressure requirements, and target contaminants.

Module 2: Membrane System Components and Design

• Identify key components in a membrane system, including pressure vessels, contactors, pre-treatment, and post-treatment processes.

• Calculate flux and percent recovery, and understand how flow rate, membrane area, and temperature affect performance.

Module 3: Hollow Fiber and Spiral-Wound Membranes

• Compare inside-out and outside-in hollow fiber configurations and explain their cleaning and maintenance implications.

• Describe spiral-wound RO membrane construction and staging for high recovery.

Module 4: Integrity Testing and Monitoring

• Understand integrity test procedures like pressure holding tests, bubble tests, and conductivity profiling.

• Interpret on-line monitoring data such as turbidity, TOC, TDS, and conductivity to detect fouling or damage.

Module 5: Fouling and Cleaning Protocols

• Identify common fouling types: organic, biological, and inorganic, and their chemical cleaning strategies (e.g., NaOH, H₂O₂, EDTA).

• Explain Clean-In-Place (CIP), backwashing, air scouring, and other strategies to restore membrane performance.

Module 6: Reverse Osmosis Applications

• Describe RO system valving, sample collection, and operating precautions to prevent membrane damage.

• Understand temperature correction factors and how water temperature affects permeate production.

Module 7: Desalination and Advanced Applications

• Outline how RO is used in brackish and seawater desalination, indirect potable reuse, and regional case studies (e.g., Carlsbad Desalination Project).

• Discuss energy recovery devices and concentrate/brine management strategies, especially for inland systems.

Module 8: System Maintenance and Performance Optimization

• Describe data logging practices, RO system maintenance, calibration, and membrane autopsies.

• Recognize performance decline indicators such as differential pressure rise, flow decrease, or salt passage increase.