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Overview

Reusing treated wastewater has become a sustainable option for minimizing water scarcity problems. Learn the skills needed for a rewarding municipal and industrial water/wastewater system career.

You'll develop working knowledge and skills related to treatment technologies and water/wastewater systems operations, including laboratory analytics.

Through in-class learning and recognized work experience, you'll be prepared to write industry-required certification exams including the 4th class power engineering and water/wastewater treatment.

Once you graduate, you'll possess the following skills:

  • can perform water analysis tasks to support plant water quality targets
  • analyze current and past data to support plant performance decisions
  • apply knowledge of water/wastewater system processes, including pressure vessels and power-generating equipment, to achieve performance requirements
  • perform basic preventative maintenance tasks
  • apply fundamental knowledge of chemistry and biology to maintain process performance
  • operate according to all applicable regulatory guidelines
  • collaborate with stakeholders to achieve optimum process performance
  • control water/wastewater collection and distribution systems
  • run high-pressure boiler and steam systems.

Students with higher grades usually experience more success in SAIT programs.

An interest in science and mathematics would be an asset. Specific interest in chemistry and biology is desirable.

The opportunity to advance your education by transferring into this program or gain credit for previous postsecondary courses may be available.

There may also be opportunities to further your education by transferring to another institution once you graduate.

Learn more about program and institution transfer options.

You'll participate in a four-month practicum during your final semester of the program. Your practicum will take place at a company or organization involved in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment systems.

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations certificate.

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Careers and opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.

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Career counselling and support

Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.

You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.

Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.

Services and workshops

Courses

The Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations certificate requires 33 credits (12 courses) to complete.

The program spans one year, with three semesters.

View classes by semester

Course Credits

This course explores and develops skills for public speaking and technical presentations. Students will focus on technical writing for reports. Students will also develop resume styles to assist them in their job searches.

1.5

This applied computer course provides students with critical electronic communications, data and file management skills, along with a strong focus on using common productivity applications to format, calculate, analyze, visualize, and present or report data and information.

Equivalents:
  • COMP 264
1.5

This course will prepare you to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Fourth Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency Part A exam. This course includes power theory instruction in the Power Engineering Profession, Communications, Sketching and Drawing, Materials and Welding, Piping and Valves, Applied Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Basic Electricity, Boiler Systems Basic Controls and Instrumentation, Low and High Pressure Boiler Design, Construction, and Operations, Boilers Feedwater Systems and Fittings, and Systems Parts and Operations. Power theory classroom instruction will be coordinated with associated power lab application towards achievement of the Certificate of Competency.

Corequsites:
  • PWEN 262
3

This course will prepare you to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) 4th Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency (Part A) exam. It includes the topics of Materials and Welding, Piping and Valves, Basic Electricity and Generators, Thermodynamics, Basic Control and Instrumentation, External and Internal Water Treatment, Boiler Feedwater Systems and Fittings, High Pressure and Low-Pressure Boiler Design and Operations, Steam Turbines, and Fittings, Parts and Operation. Your time in power lab will be spent applying principles learned in power theory instruction.

Corequsites:
  • PWEN 251
3

This course will prepare you to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) 4th Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency (Part B exam). It includes the topics of Prime Movers, Engines, Air and Process Gas Compressors, Gas and Steam Turbines, Lubrication Systems, Pumps, Power Boilers, Heating Boilers and Associated Equipment, and Refrigeration, Heating. And Air-Conditioning Operations and Systems. Your time in power lab will be spent applying principles learned in power theory instruction.

Pre-requisites:
  • PWEN 251
  • PWEN 262
Corequsites:
  • PWEN 274
3

This course will prepare you to write the Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) 4th Class Power Engineer’s Certificate of Competency (Part B exam). This course continues power theory instruction in the Power Engineering Profession. As well, it includes power theory instruction in Lubrication, Pumps and Compressors, Power Boilers, Heating Boilers, Boiler Plant Operation and Management, Boiler Safety Devices, Prime Movers, Engines, Gas and Steam Turbines, Refrigeration, Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC), Building Environmental Systems, and a general review of Industrial Plant Operations. Power theory classroom instruction will be coordinated with associated power lab application towards achievement of the Certificate of Competency.

Pre-requisites:
  • PWEN 251
  • PWEN 262
Corequsites:
  • PWEN 273
3

In this course, you will learn about the reporting requirements in the water and wastewater industry. You will prepare simulated reports for federal, provincial and local governments, as well as First Nations regulatory agencies. You will address safety in the workplace by learning to conduct health, safety and environmental reviews of the safety standards, practices and certificates that are required in the industry. You will also explore risk assessments in water and wastewater facilities.

3

Using laboratory procedures, you will explore the fundamentals of process control and regulatory testing. You will get hands on experience in the water and wastewater labs conducting testing as per the American Water and Wastewater Association (AWWA) standards and methods. You will also receive the framework for troubleshooting operational upsets and ways to optimize the water and wastewater process.

Pre-requisites:
  • WATR 220
3

This course explores wastewater treatment and collection systems. You will gain an understanding of operator responsibilities and wastewater treatment operation management, starting with a wastewater source and ending with a receiving water body. Through theory and labs, you will learn how to operate a variety of wastewater treatment and collection systems.

Pre-requisites:
  • WATR 220
  • RREG 202
3

This course examines water treatment and distribution systems. You will learn about the management of these operations from the source to the tap. Through theory and labs, you will gain the knowledge and skills to operate a wide variety of water treatment and distribution systems.

Pre-requisites:
  • WATR 220
3

This course provides an overview of treatment processes in municipal water and wastewater treatment plants, focusing on the operation of industrial wastewater treatment equipment. You will examine the processes of industrial wastewater generation, preliminary treatment, physical-chemical treatment, filtration and membrane separation, softening and organic matter removal, as well as explore the role of a water operator in plant operation and maintenance. You will review the water and wastewater treatment process, identify key treatment equipment, explain the working mechanisms of the equipment, safely perform maintenance on the equipment, collect representative samples, perform laboratory testing, and interpret and apply analysis data in the process operation.

3

You will be able to apply the skills learned in class through a four-month work practicum with a company or organization involved in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment systems. This will provide you with an opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills in on-site settings. Learners will be supervised and evaluated by industry partner staff

Pre-requisites:
  • Completion of 30 credits
3

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

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Explore your options!

Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit. 

You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.

Available Open Studies courses

Admission requirements

Applicants educated in Canada

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and meet the following requirements or equivalents.

  • at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 OR 50% in English Language Arts 30-2, AND,
  • at least 50% in Math 30-1 OR 60% in Math 30-2, AND,
  • at least 50% in Chemistry 30, AND,
  • at least 50% in Biology 20

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English Language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find out what educational documents are accepted and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

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Academic Upgrading

Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.

Upgrade
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English language proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

Learn more

Available intakes

Fall 2024

Start dates:

Domestic students: Open
  • Application deadline: June 28, 2024
International students: Open
  • Application deadline: May 29, 2024

Costs

2023/24 tuition and fees

The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year.

Domestic students

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2.5* $18,876 $1,873 $20,749
Total cost:
$20,749

*.5 indicates a combination of full-time semester(s) and part-time semester(s) in the same academic year. In many cases, students are completing a practicum during their part-time semester. Part-time students are those taking less than nine (9) course credits in a semester.

Year Number of semesters Tuition fees Additional fees Total per year
1 2.5* $25,883.55 $1,873 $27,756.55
Total cost:
$27,756.55

*.5 indicates a combination of full-time semester(s) and part-time semester(s) in the same academic year. In many cases, students are completing a practicum during their part-time semester. Part-time students are those taking less than nine (9) course credits in a semester.

Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.

The courses below will require Power Engineering Fourth Class Textbook Set - Part A, Part B and Academic Supplements from PanGlobal.

  • PWEN 251
  • PWEN 262
  • PWEN 273

PWEN 274 will require Power Engineering Fourth Class Textbook Set - Part B and Academic Supplements from PanGlobal.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE)

The industry-approved PPE you'll need will be discussed during your first few days of classes.

You'll need a lab coat and CSA-approved safety glasses (with UVEX and side shields) to enter the chemistry labs.

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Financial aid

Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.

Learn more
Canada Alberta Job Grant icon

This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.

Application process

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Ready to apply?

Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.

Learn how to apply

Communication during admission

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the macphail.students@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.

Information sessions

Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.

Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:

  • What sets SAIT apart
  • An introduction to the program and area of study
  • Admission requirements
  • Future career paths
  • Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.

Contact us

Prepare for a strong start and get the details you need to make a decision about your future. Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions, and provide information about:

MacPhail School of Energy

Phone
403.284.8451
Email
macphail.students@sait.ca

International Student Advising

Phone
403.284.8852
Email
international@sait.ca