Wastewater Operator Training Seminars
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About Our Seminars
The Training, Certication and Outreach Unit at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) conducts training seminars throughout the state. The seminars are held in comfortable meeting rooms set up classroom style. Lectures and demonstrations with the use of slide presentations, VCR, and DVD Proxima projector overhead projections are the usual format. Small group problem sessions are also held at some seminars. Manuals, worksheets, forms and other training materials are provided. Calculators are not provided. Some seminars include a field trip. Individual assistance for specific problems is available after most seminars.
Accommodations are available at government rates. Reservations should be made at least three weeks in advance. Refreshments and lunches are included in the seminar registration fee.
Individuals with disabilities should call the MPCA as soon as possible to request an accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter) to participate in any of these seminars.
The training schedule is available on the Training Calendar page.
Certification
Certification exams are given at the indicated seminars on the last day of class. Eligibility is determined by experience and/or education requirements. Exam applications must be received 15 days prior to the exam.
Certificates expire three years after being issued. During that time the following contact training hours must be met for renewal:
Class A and S-A = 32 hours
Class B and S-B = 24 hours
Class C and S-C = 16 hours
Class D and S-D = 8 hours
Type IV = 9 hours
Type V = 6 hours
Certification renewal contact training hours are listed in this document. For more information on certification, contact Dianne Navratil at 651-757-2599, or by e-mail at dianne.navratil@state.mn.us
One-day workshops
As resources permit, one-day workshops are conducted in response to operators' needs. In the past, these have included: pump workshop, trouble-shooting activated sludge, trouble-shooting stabilization ponds and collection system rehabilitation. These workshops are listed in the Training Calendar.
More information
For a copy of the training calendar that lists date and places of seminars, or for further information about training seminars offered by the Training, Certification and Outreach Unit, please contact Emily Armistead at 651-757-2073.
Seminars Offered
NOTE: SEMINAR FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Key:
WW - Wastewater
CS - Collection system
EZ - Recommended for entry level operators
RC - Refresher course
EX - Exams offered on last day
- Wastewater Treatment Technology Seminar
- Stabilization Pond Seminar
- Land Application of Biosolids Basic Seminar
- Land Application of Biosolids Advanced Seminar
- Spray Irrigation Workshop
- Collection System Basic Seminar
- Annual Wastewater Operations Seminar
- Annual Collection System Operator Seminar
WASTEWATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY
WW or CS contact hours:16
2.5 days Cost: $270.00 (preregistered) Walk ins: $270
EZ RC EX
- Wastewater terminology
- Overview of types of treatment
- Activated sludge
- Trickling filter
- Rotating biological contactor (RBC)
- Stabilization pond
- Septic tank/drainfield
- Collection systems
- Phases of treatment
- Preliminary through tertiary
- Disinfection/dechlorination
- Digestion
- Basic and related math
- Sampling
- Reporting
- Safety
WW or CS contact hours:16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $270
EZ RC EX
- Pond operation
- Pond maintenance
- Math
- Design
- Operation and maintenance problems
- Process control tests
- Discharge procedures
- Discharge calculations
- Pump calibration
- Field trip to a stabilization pond
- pH meter demonstration
- Dissolved oxygen meter demonstration
LAND APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS BASIC SEMINAR
Type IV (Biosolids) or WW contact hours: 16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $270
EZ RC EX
- Sludge processing
- Soil sampling
- Soil treatment
- Ground water protection
- Surface water protection
- Public health
- Site selection
- Crop management
- Application methods
- Nitrogen management
- Reporting
- Problem session
LAND APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS (refresher)
Type IV (Biosolids) or WW contact hours: 9
1.5 days Cost: $180 (preregistered) Walk ins: $180
RC
- Review of procedures to manage a land application program
- Site selection
- Application rate determination
- Nitrogen management
- Reports
- Field analysis of a potential site
- Verification of site/soils data
- Non-PSRP guidelines
- Management problem
- Individual assistance session after the workshop for those with specific problems/questions
Type V (Spray) or WW contact hours: 16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $270
EZ RC EX
- Land treatment goals
- Soil treatment
- Permit requirements
- Loading calculations
- Water/nutrient management
- Terminology
- Crop systems and management
- Management plan
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Field trip
- Problem session
COLLECTION SYSTEM BASIC SEMINAR
WW or CS contact hours: 16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $270
EZ RC EX
- Operation/maintenance
- Lift stations
- Math
- Cleaning equipment
- Pipeline cleaning/maintenance
- Inspection/testing
- Traffic control
- Trenchless technology
- Safety
- Emergency notification
ANNUAL WASTEWATER OPERATIONS CONFERENCE
WW or CS contact hours: 16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $300
RC EX
- General Session
- Exam refresher
- Industrial
- Utility management
- Lift stations
- Laboratory
- New Plant/Upgrade
- Maintenance
- Activated sludge
- Safety
- Computers
- Public education
- Sludge digestion
- New technology
- Stabilization ponds
- Health/retirement
- Displayer exhibits
ANNUAL COLLECTION SYSTEM OPERATOR CONFERENCE
WW or CS contact hours: 16
2.5 days Cost: $270 (preregistered) Walk ins: $300
RC EX
- General Session
- Exam refresher
- Maintenance
- Collection system manhole rehabilitation
- Lift station and pumps
- Sewer cleaning
- Safety
- Telemetry
- Leadership
- Health/retirement
- Displayer exhibits
