Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the historical development and structure of drinking water regulations.

• Define and apply key terms such as MCL, MCLG, MRDL, and TT.

• Describe the regulatory processes for setting drinking water standards.

• Identify different types of contaminants (inorganic, organic, microbial, and radiological) and associated health risks.

• Understand the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) and Revised TCR, including assessment and corrective action requirements.

• Navigate California-specific regulatory structures and primacy under SWRCB.

• Recognize compliance standards for disinfection by-products and lead and copper monitoring.

• Implement sanitary surveys, public notification requirements, and risk-based groundwater protections.

In this module, learners will explore the essential factors influencing the selection and use of pipes within drinking water distribution systems. Key topics include:

• Pipe Selection Criteria: Understanding strength, pressure ratings (MAWP), service conditions, corrosion resistance, economics, and smoothness.

• Water Quality Considerations: Ensuring materials maintain safe potable water standards without introducing contaminants.

• Pipe Types: Detailed examination of current and legacy materials, including ductile iron, steel, PVC, polyethylene, and concrete pipes.

• Joint Types and Installation Methods: Insight into various joining techniques such as mechanical, flanged, push-on, and ball-and-socket joints.

• Service Line Components: Differences between transmission lines, in-plant systems, distribution mains, and service lines.

• Corrosion Prevention Techniques: Methods for mitigating external and internal corrosion risks.

• Historical Materials: Understanding the issues associated with older piping materials like asbestos-cement and cast iron.

• Field Applications: Practical knowledge for selecting appropriate pipes and fittings based on real-world service demands.

This on-demand course, tailored for California drinking water distribution professionals, guides learners through the essential practices for installing and rehabilitating water mains. Topics include:

• Pipe Inspection, Unloading, Stacking, and Stringing: Proper handling and storage techniques to prevent material damage and contamination.

• Excavation Preparations: Notification of utilities, public safety marking, and ensuring appropriate separations between water and sewer lines.

• Trenching and Excavation Safety: Best practices for trench depth, width, and soil management; cave-in prevention methods including sloping, shielding, shoring, and sheeting.

• Pipe Laying: Inspection before laying, safe placement, proper bedding, and techniques for haunching to ensure structural integrity.

• Pipe Jointing: How to correctly install push-on and mechanical joints to prevent leaks and joint failures.

• Connecting to Existing Systems: Procedures for dry taps, wet taps, and proper use of transition couplings.

• Thrust Restraint Systems: Installation of thrust blocks, thrust anchors, and restrained joints to protect against internal pressure forces.

• Air Relief Systems: Methods to remove trapped air pockets, including the use of air relief valves and fire hydrants.

In this detailed training, learners will explore the essential aspects of post-installation procedures for water mains:

• Trenching and Backfilling Techniques: Understand the correct methods for soil management, pipe bedding, compaction, and use of native vs. granular materials to ensure pipeline support and minimize settlement.

• Shoring and Excavation Safety: Learn when and how to use shoring, shielding, and safe removal procedures during backfill operations.

• Pressure Testing Procedures: Get step-by-step instructions on pressure testing mains at 1.5 times operating pressure to confirm system integrity.

• Flushing and Disinfection: Study the different methods (Continuous Feed, Slug, Tablet) to disinfect new pipelines and requirements for dechlorination.

• Bacteriological Testing: Know the necessary steps to certify a pipeline is safe for drinking water use.

• Site Restoration: Best practices for restoring streets, sidewalks, and landscaping following construction.

• Final Inspection and Recordkeeping: Learn about documentation requirements including valve locations, hydrant testing, and system mapping.

• Installation Safety: Training on proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) use, chemical handling (especially chlorine), tool safety, and traffic control measures.

This course provides an in-depth study of fire hydrants as essential components of public water systems. Topics include:

• Primary Purpose and Uses: Fire protection, construction support, flushing of mains, and unauthorized use concerns.

• Hydrant Specifications: Water main requirements, hydrant placement, outlet orientation, and color coding per NFPA 291 standards.

• Types of Hydrants: Dry-barrel, wet-barrel, flush hydrants, warm-climate hydrants, and breakaway hydrants, including their design differences and operational mechanisms.

• Operation and Maintenance: Proper operation procedures, common operational issues such as water hammer and sediment disturbance, inspection routines, and flow testing requirements.

• Installation Best Practices: Requirements for main sizing, auxiliary valves, placement relative to streets and curbs, and painting standards.

• Hydrant Safety Protocols: Precautions during flushing operations, preventing cross-connections, managing pedestrian and vehicle safety.

• Recordkeeping Requirements: Documentation standards for hydrant installation, maintenance, and repairs.

This California Water Distribution training module focuses on the principles, design, operation, and maintenance of water storage systems. Topics include:

• Purpose of Water Storage: Equalizing supply and demand, operating convenience, pump management, energy cost reduction, emergency supply, fire flow provision, surge relief, chlorine detention, and blending sources.

• Types of Storage Structures: Elevated tanks, standpipes, ground-level reservoirs, buried reservoirs, hydropneumatic tanks, and surge tanks.

• Tank Components and Equipment: Inlet/outlet pipes, overflow systems, monitoring devices, valves, air vents, access hatches, ladders, coatings, cathodic protection, and lighting requirements.

• Sizing Storage Needs: Calculations for operational, equalizing, standby, and fire flow storage requirements.

• Material and Construction: Design considerations for steel, concrete, and earth embankment reservoirs.

• Location Considerations: Hydraulic and aesthetic factors influencing placement of storage within distribution systems.

• Inspection and Maintenance: Guidelines for routine interior and exterior inspections, cleaning, record-keeping, and tank disinfection in compliance with AWWA standards.

In this self-paced, on-demand course, participants explore the core concepts of instrumentation, control systems, and communication protocols utilized in water distribution operations. Topics include:

• Basic Electrical Principles: Understanding voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law.

• AC/DC Power Fundamentals: Single-phase and three-phase systems, transformers, and circuit breakers.

• Electronic Instrumentation: 4-20 mA signal loops, transmitters, and sensor technologies for measuring water pressure, flow, and level.

• Flow Measurement Devices: Venturi meters, magnetic meters, propeller and turbine flow meters, and ultrasonic sensors.

• Automated Systems: Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and their role in modern water system automation.

• SCADA Systems: How SCADA enhances real-time monitoring, reporting, and alarm processing in distribution systems.

This comprehensive online training provides a foundational understanding of motors and engines within the context of California water distribution systems. Participants will learn how motors convert electrical to mechanical energy, the differences between single-phase and three-phase motors, and the application of motor starters and VFDs. Critical topics such as motor temperature management, insulation standards, frequent starting concerns, and reduced voltage starting methods are covered in depth.

The course also trains operators in troubleshooting procedures, electrical testing with megger and amp meters, and modern safety practices like Lock Out/Tag Out. Special attention is given to horsepower calculations—including water horsepower, brake horsepower, and motor horsepower—to ensure proper pump and motor selection. Real-world examples and review quizzes reinforce learning objectives.

Key Topics Covered:

• Basics of AC motors and types of motor starters

• Motor nameplate information and importance

• Single-phase vs. three-phase motor design and functionality

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) operation and benefits

• Motor and pump horsepower calculations

• Safe troubleshooting and maintenance practices

• Lockout/Tagout procedures

• Best practices for motor replacement and installation

This on-demand training module provides critical education on safeguarding potable water systems through effective backflow prevention and cross-connection control. Topics include:

• Definition and examples of cross-connections and backflow

• Legal responsibilities under Title 17 for public water suppliers

• Cross-connection control program requirements, including device installation, testing, and maintenance

• Identification of high-risk facilities requiring specialized backflow protection

• Causes of backflow: backpressure and backsiphonage

• Overview of prevention methods: complete isolation, air gaps, RPZ devices, double check valves, and vacuum breakers

• Device selection based on hazard levels

• Public health impacts of cross-connection incidents

• Regulatory compliance, inspection protocols, and reporting requirements

In this comprehensive online module, learners will gain essential knowledge about the types and functions of pumps used in water distribution systems:

• Pump Classifications: Understand the differences between velocity pumps (centrifugal) and positive-displacement pumps.

• Pump Designs: Study volute, diffuser, mixed-flow, and axial-flow designs.

• Pump Components: Learn the function of impellers, shafts, sleeves, wear rings, bearings, and couplings.

• Operation and Maintenance: Master procedures for starting, stopping, priming pumps, and controlling flow and surge (water hammer prevention).

• Specialized Concepts: Explore mechanical seals, packing glands, lantern rings, and how to detect and prevent pump cavitation.

• Maintenance Essentials: Routine checks for packing, priming, bearing lubrication, and alignment to ensure efficiency and avoid failures.

• Pump Cavitation: Identify causes, symptoms, and solutions for cavitation in water pumps.