Water Technology

EPA State Environmental Training Program

Associate of Water Technology Degree

Certificate of Completion

The Water Technology program is an award-winning, up-to-date technical training opportunity that will open doors to a career anywhere in the United States. Graduates of this program have found work in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, California, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iraq, and Puerto Rico. More than 400 graduates have begun careers in the water field, working in such diverse areas as the semiconductor industry, the food processing industry, aerospace industry, electrical power industry, city water and wastewater departments, municipal or contract analytical laboratories, water reuse or recycling plants, metal plating companies, engineering consulting firms, and state planning offices.

While jobs are widely available, training programs like this one are rare. As the treatment of water becomes more technical, municipalities and industries rely on training programs to fill their needs. Students in this program learn how to clean water to make it safe for drinking and how to purify water to a high quality for use in computer chip manufacturing, food processing, or steam generation. They will also learn how to treat wastewater so it can be safely returned to the environment or reclaimed for beneficial use. Instruction also includes maintaining equipment such as pumps, motors, valves, and chemical feeders; laboratory testing and analysis; water and wastewater chemistry and microbiology; applied math; and some basics of supervising and managing a water utility, including budgets, preventive maintenance schemes, and billing. Various course assignments requiring laboratory data sheets, simple process control spreadsheets, and term papers enable students to sharpen their computer and writing skills. General studies in basic algebra, speech, and technical writing round out the curriculum.

Whether taking classes or working on a job site, students enrolled in this program will be required to perform the same job duties and be able to meet the same physical requirements that they will as graduates in the field. Depending where they find employment, graduates may be required to

work in inclement weather,
lift up to 50 pounds from the ground,
work safely around hazardous chemicals using appropriate safety equipment such as a self-contained breathing apparatus,
work safely in confined spaces,
ascend and descend stairs and ladders to reach equipment,
work safely around heavy equipment,
work safely and effectively on uneven surfaces, and
stand for long periods of time on concrete floors.

Some positions in the field require certification and the licensing agency may not provide special testing accommodations.

Opportunities for students to gain new knowledge and skills in operations, maintenance, and laboratory areas are provided through classroom training, hands-on laboratories, field trips, guest lectures, and training on the program’s own water and wastewater plants.

Before graduating, students will spend a minimum of 180 hours at an internship site with a municipality or industry. Students have found co-ops at water and wastewater plants and laboratories in Albuquerque, El Paso, Las Cruces, Socorro, Hobbs, Silver City, Mesilla, and Glorieta, and with industries such as Intel and Kurita America.

Financial aid beyond loans, grants, work-study monies, and DACC scholarships include nine private scholarships specifically for Water Technology students:

Max Summerlot Memorial Scholarship, given to a water technology student in his or her second year in the program;
Cynthia Hiers-Robinson Current-Use Scholarship;
Pruett Family Water Technology Scholarship;
Col. Raymond Madson Memorial Scholarship
two scholarships presented by the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association;
one scholarships presented by the Southwest Section of the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association; and
two scholarships presented by the Central Section of the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association.

NOTE: Students must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 with a final grade of C- or better in ENGL 1110G Composition I and a final grade of C- or better in all required WATR courses. The remaining courses are applicable toward the bachelor of applied studies degree offered by the NMSU College of Extended Learning. At least 36 hours of the technical requirements are applicable toward the bachelor’s degree in agricultural and extension education offered by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University.

Water Technology - Associate of Water Technology

Water Technology - Certificate of Completion

WATR 120. Introduction to Water Systems

3 Credits (3)

Introduction to and theory of groundwater sources, production, treatment, and distribution.

Learning Outcomes

Effectively present technical information through oral communication.
Effectively work as a team.
Identify appropriate process changes for different water processes.