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.

In this module, students will learn the essential components and best practices of water services within a distribution system. Topics include:

• Service line materials (e.g., copper, PVC, polyethylene)

• Installation and maintenance of corporation stops, curb stops, and curb boxes

• Variations in service line responsibilities between utilities and property owners

• Water tapping methods: dry tap and wet tap

• Best practices for locating and tapping water mains

• Techniques and tools for detecting and locating leaks

• Leak survey and water auditing procedures

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

Topics include customer service meters, compound meters, detector-check meters, and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The course also covers mainline and production meters used at key points in the system such as well discharges, treatment facilities, and pressure zones.

Learners will explore:

• Differences between positive displacement, velocity, magnetic, ultrasonic, and insertion meters.

• How to size and select meters for different applications.

• Standards for meter accuracy and maintenance schedules.

• Techniques for system-wide metering and district metered areas (DMA).

• AWWA standards and testing intervals based on meter size and type.

In this self-paced LMS course, participants will explore the fundamental and advanced concepts of water distribution system operations with a specific focus on water quality management, aligned with California regulatory standards. Key learning modules include:

• Routine and Non-Routine Water Quality Monitoring: Development of State-approved sampling plans, handling disinfection residuals, turbidity, and microbiological parameters.

• System Maintenance and Main Cleaning Techniques: Techniques including unidirectional flushing (UDF), ice pigging, swabbing, and mechanical cleaning to maintain system cleanliness and prevent water quality deterioration.

• Operational Testing and Response: Performing pressure and flow tests, leak detection methods, and emergency monitoring during main breaks or contamination events.

• Water Chemistry Fundamentals: Understanding pH, alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids (TDS), and their impact on system performance, corrosion control, and treatment efficiency.

• Distribution System Design and Modifications: Improving water quality through system design, hydraulic modeling, pipe material selection, and turnover practices in storage facilities.

• Corrosion Prevention and Cathodic Protection: Application of sacrificial anodes, nobility charts, and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) interpretation for system longevity.

• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting California State water quality reporting requirements, customer communication expectations, and water audit practices.