Author Topic: Anyone here in water/waste water treatment? (Read 200 times)

SunTracker · « **on:** February 20, 2005, 11:35:31 PM »

I'm taking a correspondance course online from the University of Florida in wastewater treatment. This will allow me to get certified by the state to get a class D wastewater treatment certification. Is anyone here in the water/wastewater treatment industry? Seems like a very stable job to have, plus doing the job right helps the environment (and people). I think it would be a very interesting job to have, perhaps allowing me to live in some exotic places (the caribbean).

Its kind of ironic that I am taking a course in this subject. My favorite fishing lake, Lake Mcneely, which is less than a mile from me, is turned into a 54 acre algae pit 5 months of the year due to the effluent from a local wastewater treatment plant.

lazs2 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:21:48 AM »

I run a facility. It is very specialized these days and in Califiornia requires a lot of certification and continueing education. It is a good job when times are tough and a decent one when times are good... In the long run... you will do well if you start young.. I started way late after being a contractor for many years.

The trend is toward privatization of facilities. Sometimes they pay better than public ones but mostly it adds unceartainty and crappy retirement to the job.

here we have a lovely catch 22 situation with regards to certification... you need to work at a plant for 2000 hours to have an active certificate but... you can't work at a facility until you are certified.... this results in people working for nothing for a year in a lot of cases... they seem to think it is worth it.

While I am grateful for my opportunity...I will be glad to retire... the regulations and total junk science and scumbag EPA are about to get to me.

lazs

beet1e · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:30:26 AM »

hehe lazs, I saw this thread and thought of you immediately! But it would have been bad form to post before you. Can you point me to an analysis of the processes at work at your facililty? - you were telling us about the aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria - or something like that. Sounded interesting, but we had other matters to attend to.

Halo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:51:57 AM »

That's a vital job. It's also interesting to observe how different communities regulate their water supplies. In Massachusetts, for example, I was often surprised at some wonderful reservoirs that totally prohibited any kind of human activity, even access on the shore or canoeing.

In Virginia, I'm glad some reservoirs allow reasonable human access, but also surprised many allow gasoline motors to be used on them. No matter what the size of the reservoir or efficiency of the treatment plant, just doesn't seem like a good idea to allow petroleum products near them.

What do you water managers think about access to reservoirs and gas motors on them?

lazs2 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2005, 10:53:20 AM »

it is all boring beyond belief... I can sum it all up by stateing that ...

"every time you flush the toilet.... you put bread on my table."

lazs

SunTracker · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2005, 11:07:20 AM »

So whats the best way to for a person to get an entry level job in wastewater treatment lazs?

lazs2 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2005, 11:20:15 AM »

around here... Take the classes and then take the certification exam..

In California we have "operator in training" positions. Some facilities pay these guys and some don't. I refuse to use free labor and insisted that the city pay for the position... in any case... it takes a while normally to get any city or district job... You can't get it if you don't apply tho.. apply for every one even the at places that aren't hiring.. if you are lucky you will get a job in 6 months or so.

I am not familiar with Floridas certification program or job opportunities but I know that a California certificate is pretty much accepted by all states.

Another helpful thing to do is to be dual certified... water and wastewater... water is generaly easier. Many cities/agencies operate both the water and wastewater facilities and having both certificates is a plus.

good luck.

lazs