Wastewater/Environmental Sanitation

The Wastewater/Environmental Sanitation program is designed to prepare students for careers in the environmental protection field of waste water treatment.  This program is also designed to enable those already working in the field to upgrade their skills.  Subjects addressed include water quality and public health regulations,  conventional wastewater treatment process operation, advanced treatment processes, and wastewater recycling and disposal.

It is estimated that there will be approximately 25 - 40 students enrolled in each of the Water and Wastewater Technology courses.  The projected number of students to earn a certificate annually is 20 to 25 students.

The major in Wastewater Treatment/Environmental Sanitation provides high-quality instruction leading to a certificate of proficiency or achievement, an associate in science degree, and/or transfer to a CSU programs in water science related programs. The program also prepares students for employment or advancement in wastewater treatment/environmental sanitation and related industries.

Career Options

• Examples of careers include the following:
• Water and wastewater treatment operators
• Wastewater collection operators
• Wastewater distribution, instrumentation and control, Customer Support, Field Service, or Test Technician

With a bachelor's degree:

• Environmental Science/Environmental Engineering
• Engineering Technologist

As a Career Education program, our plans and goals are informed annually by our Technical Advisory Committee and the input of its members, who are all professionals in the field of Water Science, and members of our local Orange County service area.  Our faculty, both full time and adjunct, are active or retired professionals in this same industry, who also inform our planning efforts.  Our full-time faculty create, evaluate, and update our annual plan goals based upon the input of all of these professionals.

Wastewater/Environmental Sanitation, AS (Total 21) Complete all of the following

Major requirements: (Total 12)

Complete the following number of units: 12

WATR137 - Water Mathematics and Hydraulics  3

WATR150 - Introduction to Wastewater Treatment  3

WATR151 - Wastewater Treatment        3                            

WATR252 - Advanced Wastewater Treatment                                3

Select three (3) courses from the following: (Total 9) Complete the following number of units: 9

WATR146 - Water Treatment Fundamentals                                 3

WATR247 - Advanced Water Treatment                                   3

WATR136 - Introduction to Water Science                                  3

WATR139 - Water Reclamation and Reuse                                 3

WATR140 - Water Utility Maintenance and Construction                           3

WATR141 - Water Distribution   3

WATR242 - Advanced Water Distribution 3

WATR143 - Electrical Wiring and Controls for Operators 3

WATR144 - Pumps and Pumping 3

WATR148 - Water Quality 3

WATR153 - Collection Systems 3

WATR155 - California Water Resources 3

Wastewater/Environmental Sanitation, AS (Total 21) Complete all of the following

Major requirements: (Total 12)

Complete the following number of units: 12

WATR137 - Water Mathematics and Hydraulics - Y1

WATR150 - Introduction to Wastewater Treatment - Y1 

WATR151 - Wastewater Treatment - Y1                            

WATR252 - Advanced Wastewater Treatment  Y1

Select three (3) courses from the following: (Total 9) Complete the following number of units: 9

WATR146 - Water Treatment Fundamentals - Y1 

WATR247 - Advanced Water Treatment - Y1      

WATR136 - Introduction to Water Science - Y1                                

WATR139 - Water Reclamation and Reuse - Y1                               

WATR140 - Water Utility Maintenance and Construction - Y1                           

WATR141 - Water Distribution - Y1

WATR242 - Advanced Water Distribution - Y1

WATR143 - Electrical Wiring and Controls for Operators - Y1

WATR144 - Pumps and Pumping - Y1

WATR148 - Water Quality - Y1

WATR153 - Collection Systems - Y1

WATR155 - California Water Resources - Y1

Santiago Canyon College already has public-service related programs in CTE, such as Public Works and Water Automation/Electronics Technology, but this program will provide opportunities for students to advance in their career or start a career in the water and waste industry. SCC has several different State-approved Associate Degrees and Certificates of Achievement and Certificate of Proficiency within the discipline of Water and Wastewater Technology: Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Distribution. There are six certificates of proficiency, three in the same areas as the Associates Degree and Certificate of Achievement, plus Water Conservation, Water Equipment O&M, and Water Utility Management. The Water Automation Program also has a certificate program that is CSU transferable. The Water and Wastewater Technology Program is a key program in the State. The Water and Wastewater Technology Program faculty are looking to expand the program with stackable credentials. SCC will work with the campus articulation officer to align course curriculum and programs to meet the transfer requirements and the Transfer Model Curriculum (TMC) for the Water and Wastewater Program Transfer Degree.

Santiago Canyon College’s water programs are unique to Orange County however 5 other partner colleges have started their Automation Fundamentals Certificate programs with core courses in DC Electricity, AC Electronics, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s). These Automation based courses stack well within the unique disciplines offered at each of these colleges; Industrial Technology, Robotics, Manufacturing Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Electrical Technology, HVAC/R, Electronic Technology, and Theme Park Technology. Partner colleges included are Irvine Valley, Saddleback, Orange Coast, Fullerton, Cypress, and now Santiago Canyon. Water and Wastewater Treatment and Automation has become a major driving force in the previously mentioned industries. There are no colleges that have Water and Wastewater Technology Programs in the Orange county service area.

It is estimated that there will be approximately 25 - 40 students enrolled in each of the Water and Wastewater Technology courses. The projected number of students to earn a certificate annually is 20 to 25 students.