This web-based course will provide participants with a basic understanding of groundwater and its challenges. The material will focus on applicable regulations under O. Reg. 170/03, well types, and key components. The course will also examine best practices in operation and maintenance.

Target Audience

This course has been developed to provide basic knowledge of groundwater and wells to O. Reg. 170/03 system owners and operators with limited experience. The material may also interest compliance officers and those working in source water protection.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

This three-day course will provide participants with an overview of the role of a Water Quality Analyst from understanding regulatory requirements and basic chemistry and microbiology principles to working with basic formulas and calculations.

Areas of study include:

• Drinking Water Legislation
• Basic Mathematical Skills (Principles, Metric and Conversion, Formulas and Calculations)
• Chemistry Principles
• Sampling and Monitoring
• Laboratory Equipment and Safety
• Analytical Parameters, Techniques & Process Significance (Requirements under Reg. 170/03)
• Temperature, pH, Turbidity, Hardness
• Dissolved Solids and Chlorine Residuals
• Microbiological Parameters

Target Audience

This course is intended for individuals who wish to work in a laboratory environment with the emphasis on understanding physical, chemical and microbiological parameters pertaining to water quality in the plants. Basic knowledge of chemistry (pH, alkalinity, hardness, conductivity, turbidity, etc.) is a prerequisite.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

Delivery Methods Possible

Virtual

Course Overview

This course covers all aspects of UV light treatment of drinking water including theory, design, operations, maintenance and validation of UV systems. Applications such as protozoa inactivation and advanced oxidation are discussed.

Participants will learn about the components of UV disinfection technologies and the advantages and disadvantages of using UV as a disinfectant.

Areas of study include:

• Water Resources and Quality
• Basics of Water Treatment
• Regulatory Requirements for Disinfection
• Basics of UV
• UV Disinfection Equipment
• UV Transmittance
• UV System Validation
• Treatment of Environmental Contaminants
• Engineering Design Considerations for UV Facilities
• Operation and Maintenance

Target Audience

This course will be of special interest to managers and drinking water operators in water treatment facilities using UV treatment or considering UV for treatment.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

This course provides participants with an opportunity to review the legislation, regulations and supporting documents available when working with pressurized systems.

Participants will also be provided with a thorough understanding of the potential hazards of various pressurized equipment used on a regular basis at water and wastewater facilities.

A variety of interactive activities have been incorporated into the curriculum that allows participants to conduct hazard analysis on pressurized equipment and to use procedures/rules to ensure a safe environment.

Target Audience

This course is designed for water and wastewater operators working with pressurized equipment.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

The Small Systems Hands-on Workshop is geared especially to the owners and operators of small systems defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03 and Ontario Regulation 319/08.

Participants will rotate sessions throughout the day such as:

• Iron and Manganese in Groundwater
• Samling, Testing, Adverse Test Results and Corrective Actions
• Ultraviolet Disinfection Theory and Maintenance
• Wells 101 for Small Systems

Target Audience

Course Overview

This course is designed for operators of small systems under O. Reg. 170/03. Instruction will include a review the characteristics of source waters, primary and secondary disinfection and challenges associated with treatment equipment commonly used in small systems.

Participants will learn how to conduct monitoring and operational checks, and the process for responding to potential Adverse Water Quality Incidents (AWQIs).

Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities related to equipment maintenance, operational checks and AWQI follow-ups.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

• Characteristics of source waters
• Water treatment in small systems
• Troubleshooting and maintenance
• Monitoring and operational checks
• Adverse test results, observations, reporting and corrective action

Target Audience

This course is designed for owners and operators of small non-municipal drinking water systems as defined under O. Reg. 170/03. This course meets the requirements for maintaining Trained Person certification and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Limited System operators. This course replaces the Practical Training for Small Drinking Water System Owners and Operators course.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

This course outlines the main components of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and its associated regulations. It highlights items that have been proclaimed in the SDWA and their significance. The course also explains obligations of owner/operators of municipal and non-municipal systems as stipulated in the drinking water regulations. Flowcharts and other schematics are used to illustrate the regulatory requirements.

Areas of study include:

• The Ontario drinking water quality standards regulation – O.Reg. 169/03
• The drinking water testing services regulation – O.Reg. 248/03
• The drinking water systems regulation – O.Reg. 170/03
• The small system regulation (do not serve designated facilities)
• Certification of drinking water system operators and water quality analysts – O.Reg. 128/04

Target Audience

This course will benefit managers and operators of municipal drinking water systems, owners and operators of non-municipal systems, Public Health officers, Ministry inspectors and consulting engineers dealing with design of drinking water systems.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

This course has been developed to assist senior operators, supervisors and managers understand SCADA systems in order to effectively interpret data and provide relevant information for MECP inspections. The session will include an overview of SCADA terminology and architecture, and provide detailed instruction on the data delivered by the SCADA system. Participants will learn what documents and files may be requested during an inspection and how to respond effectively to alarms and events in order to ensure compliance. Attendees will have an opportunity to put into practice what they have learned by participating in a variety of group activities.

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

• SCADA terminology and the basics of SCADA system operation
• Interpretation of data provided by SCADA systems
• Identifying and interpreting critical data collected through inspection documentation requests
• The differences between raw and validated data

Target Audience

This course will be of interest to senior operators, supervisors and managers with oversight responsibility of SCADA systems at their utility.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

The Responsibilities Under the Statutory Standard of Care – Safe Drinking Water Act course is designed to inform municipal councillors and officials of their oversight responsibilities under Section 19 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, which came into effect on December 31, 2012. Severe penalties are possible for municipal officials who fail to act in good faith and do not exercise honesty, competence and integrity to ensure the protection and safety of the users of municipal drinking water systems.

Several examples of waterborne disease outbreaks are examined which highlight the importance of competent oversight. The course describes some general information about drinking water systems, the multi-barrier approach to drinking water treatment and some of the risks associated with drinking water production and distribution.

The participant will also learn about additional specialized training that is available.

Target Audience

This course is designed for mayors, councillors and municipal officials with oversight responsibility for drinking water treatment and/or distribution systems.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, E-learning, Virtual

Course Overview

This one-day course explains Elements 7, 8 and 18: Risk Assessment, Risk Assessment Outcomes and Emergency Management of the Ministry of the Environment’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) Guidance Document. These Elements are necessary requirements for the preparation of an Operational Plan, a pre-requisite for an application for a Municipal Licence for a drinking water system.

Terms such as Hazard, Hazardous Event, Control and Critical Control Point, Measure and Limit are defined. The course introduces the 4 components of risk: hazard, likelihood, consequence and detectability. Participants are instructed on how to perform a step-by-step risk assessment for a water system and how to prepare a risk assessment table.

The section on Emergency Management identifies emergencies and potential outcomes, explains how an emergency procedure is developed, states the training requirements for emergency preparedness, and explains the emergency contact requirements and the review and distribution of an Emergency Plan.

Target Audience

This course is for directors, managers and/or engineers of municipal drinking water systems, senior operators, project managers responsible for the implementation of DWQMS within drinking water systems and compliance officers within an operating authority.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

NOTE: Participants will be required to have a version of Microsoft Excel installed on their computer and not to rely on online access providers. Reviewing raw data spreadsheets and accessing the QMRA model will be required, in order to the solve case studies that are included in this course.

This course will provide participants with an understanding of the QMRA process and its applications for drinking water. Through the use of The Health Canada model, participants will learn the key input data required, the impact of treatment failures and the effect of additional treatment barriers. The session will use a combination of case studies and group exercises to demonstrate the use of the QMRA model and interpretation of results. Participants will also learn the assumptions and limitations of QMRA, and review risk management concepts related to QMRA.

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

• The risk and importance of microbial risk assessment
• The QMRA process and key concepts
• Health Canada’s model to calculate Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and interpret the results

Target Audience

This is an advanced course suitable for managers and senior drinking water personnel with an interest or responsibility for QMRA activities.

Delivery Methods Possible

Virtual only

Course Overview

This one-day course combines classroom and hands-on training, and is designed to provide participants with best practices that operators should follow in order to safely tap into a potable water distribution main.

Areas of study include:

• basic theory of service tapping on various types of watermains
• best practice tapping techniques for cast iron, ductile iron and PVC watermains
• day to day applications, as well as speciality applications in industrial settings
• regulatory and legislative requirements
• importance of maintenance records and formats
• the uses of various service tapping machines, and the safe operation of each machine
• perform installations using various types of tapping saddles
• identify leaks and other deficiencies with tapping saddles and equipment
• disassemble and re-assemble internal and external parts of various equipment
• effective general maintenance of equipment and tools

Please note: Participants are required to wear approved steel-toed protective footwear.

Target Audience

This course is designed to target an audience of licensed water operators, consultants, engineers and private water maintenance personnel.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

This course combines classroom and hands-on training, and is designed to provide participants with the knowledge required to locate, maintain and operate fire hydrants. Fire hydrant operation is required so that adequate fire flow is available when needed.

Areas of study include:

• basic theory of wet and dry barrel hydrants
• applications of day-to-day uses as well as specialty application in an industrial setting
• regulatory and legislative requirements
• importance of maintenance records and formats
• safe operation of a fire hydrant
• general inspection
• identifying leaks and other deficiencies with the fire hydrant
• general flushing techniques
• disassembling and assembling internal and external parts of various dry barrel hydrants

Target Audience

This course is designed to target an audience of licensed water operators, field maintenance/inspectors, consultants/engineers or fire fighters.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, Virtual

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

This course provides participants with an overview of algae and blue-green algae. Background information and the impacts of algae and blue-green algae on drinking water systems will be discussed along with monitoring and mitigation techniques. A practical hands-on portion of the course is dedicated to algae identification and algae measurements.

Target Audience

This course is directed to drinking water treatment operators at any level, from OIT through to Class 4, who want to learn more about algae and blue-green algae.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, on-site, virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

This course provides participants with a general overview of leak detection, including the causes and implications of leakage. Basic acoustic theory will be covered in order for participants to have a better understanding of leak noise. Various equipment and methods will be discussed to aid participants in pinpointing leaks in locations of unaccounted-for water loss.

Hands-on activities will include using a correlator to find leaks and address the filed issues that arise. Skills and techniques learned in the classroom will be applied during the fieldwork portion of the course.

Target Audience

This course would be most beneficial to distribution operators, but would also be of interest to drinking water treatment operators and supervisors.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

This two-day course will train municipal drinking water system owners and operators on how to conduct internal audits. This is based on Element 19 of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) under the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program.

Day 1 of the course presents the requirements for internal audits. Day 2 focuses on how to plan and carry out process audits. This course will walk the participants through all stages of an internal audit process. Group exercises are used extensively to reinforce internal audit principles.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PARTICIPANTS TO BRING A COPY OF THEIR OPERATION PLAN TO THE COURSE.

Target Audience

This course is for anyone with overall responsibility for the implementation of the QMS, QMS Representatives and Operating Authority employees who have been identified as potential internal auditors.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Course Overview

This course will review various aspects of iron and manganese in drinking water – occurrence, aesthetic implications, chemistry, the impact on water quality and microbial activity.

Participants will learn iron and manganese removal technologies and their limitations, with a specific focus on iron and manganese sequestration advantages and disadvantages.

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

This course is intended for experienced drinking water treatment operators and supervisors. This course may also be of interest to distribution operators wishing to gain a better understanding of sequestration.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Target Audience

This course is directed to treatment and distribution operators with limited experience, as well as experienced operators requiring a refresh of math skills.

Course Overview

Ontario’s drinking water operators hold a position of trust in the safeguarding of public health and should recognize the importance of highly ethical behaviour as part of their role.

Participants will be introduced to the concept of Ethics and core ethical values. Through the use of case studies, participants will review incidents where unethical operator behaviour has jeopardized public health. The relationship between Ethics and the law will be discussed, as well as the personal and legal consequences resulting from unethical behaviour.

The session will include strategies for creating an ethical environment within the workplace.

Target Audience

This course has been developed for drinking water operators of all levels. This course may also be of interest to drinking water supervisors and managers, and other drinking water stakeholders.

Delivery Methods Possible

E-learning

Visit our course registration page to register!

Course Overview

This course provides details on some of the most recent issues facing drinking water systems. The detection of toxins associated with cyanobacterial blooms are discussed, as well as disinfection by-products and emerging pathogens. These three topics are discussed from an operation perspective, and include suggestions for treatments and modifications to treatment processes that may help to minimize issues.

Participants will also learn about newly discovered routes of exposure to pathogens and recently discovered pathogens that pose a threat to drinking water.

Discussions will include current and proposed regulatory information along with proposed treatment techniques.

Target Audience

This advanced course is primarily designed for the more senior drinking water treatment operators (Class II through IV), but will be of benefit to all water treatment professionals, engineers and inspectors. (not recommended for systems using groundwater)

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page to view our current course schedule!

Course Overview

This course provides an overview of typical drinking water treatment processes with an emphasis on conventional treatment. Specifically, participants will gain an understanding of the definitions and applications for:

• Coagulation
• Flocculation
• Clarification
• Sedimentation
• Filtration

Discussion will also include other treatment methods such as ozone, ultraviolet oxidation and ion exchange. A brief introduction to membrane filtration is also included.

Participants will be introduced to emerging issues that have a direct impact on water quality, as well as factors affecting taste and odour.

Concepts discussed in this session will be supported by performing treatability studies (jar tests). These hands-on activities will teach participants the applications and limitations of jar tests, and methods for tailoring jar tests to specific plant conditions.

Target Audience

This course has been developed for drinking water treatment operators interested in gaining a better understanding of conventional treatment processes and the use of treatability studies to improve finished water quality. This course is not intended for those operating membrane filtration systems or for those operating secure groundwater systems.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Visit our course registration page to view our current course schedule!

This course will provide an overview of the legislative and regulatory origins of the DWQMS and discuss the relationship of the DWQMS to other parts of the Municipal Drinking Water Licensing Program. Quality management benefits and challenges are reviewed, and the four steps of the DWQMS (Plan, Do, Check and Improve) are explained.

Each of the 21 elements within the DWQMS will be discussed and how they relate to the preparation of the Operational Plan. Examples and instruction will be provided so that participants are able to document each element of the DWQMS in their operational plans as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Target Audience

This course is for directors, managers and/or engineers of municipal drinking water systems, senior operators, project managers responsible for the implementation of DWQMS within drinking water systems and compliance officers within an operating authority.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, Virtual, On Site

Visit our course registration page to view our current course schedule!

Attendees will learn about sources of microbiological and chemical instability in distribution and their impacts on drinking water quality. Participants will explore solutions and risks of maintaining chemical & bio-stability.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Review factors contributing to microbiological & chemical instability in distribution systems
• Discuss solutions to maintain chemical & bio-stability
• Describe unintended consequences that may arise in distribution when implementing instability solutions

Target Audience

This course will be of interest to new and experienced distribution operators with a role in maintaining water quality in their distribution system.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, Virtual

Visit our course registration page to view our current course schedule!

Course Overview

Treatment operators, distribution operators

Classroom, On Site

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Course Overview

This workshop-style session teaches participants how to apply conversions that relate to water operations. The session begins with a review of key concepts such as base units, order-of-operation calculations and the basics of the metric system using distance, area and volume. Common units of measurement (length, area, volume, mass, temperature, pressure, time) will be discussed, with focus on how these units are expressed. Participants will perform conversion calculations using both versions of the ABC conversion tables.

Special emphasis will be on common units and formulas used in the water industry, including those related to velocity, flow, dosage, density, and feed rates.

Target Audience

This course is directed to treatment and distribution operators with varied levels of experience requiring a refresh of math skills. This course may also serve as a precursor to the Fundamental Math course for those with limited math knowledge.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Visit our Youtube channel for practice math videos!

Course Overview

This course will provide operators with an overview of water resources and the degree of treatment required based on the source of the raw water. Regulatory requirements specific to disinfection will be discussed in relation to chlorination CT calculations. Participants will learn components of CT calculations including baffling factors, flow, volume and the chlorine concentration for various configurations. Significant class time will be spent on performing calculations using sample exercises and working through corrective actions to maintain compliance.

Participants are encouraged to bring a CT calculation scenario from their plant for the class to process.

Target Audience

The advanced concepts discussed in this course are suited to operators, compliance technicians and water managers with drinking water treatment experience and will involve math calculations using a calculator and Microsoft Excel.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Course Overview

This course provides participants with an overview of all aspects of chemically assisted filtration concepts including operation, performance monitoring, maintenance and troubleshooting of both biological and non-biological filters. Topics covered include a review of pre-treatment processes as they pertain to filter performance, and backwashing and starting of filters.

Discussion will include a brief review of waterborne disease outbreaks involving filtration facilities.

Target Audience

This course is intended for operators and water quality managers who are responsible for chemically-assisted filtration processes, provincial drinking water staff who review plans for such plants or who provide technical assistance to plant operators, and consultants who are interested in how filtration plants can be designed to facilitate good operating practices.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

This course reviews the basic duties and responsibilities of small drinking water system owners and operators under Ontario Regulation 319/08.

Participants will learn about disinfecting water with a UV light, along with the operational and maintenance requirements of the equipment. Monitoring and responding to water quality issues through reporting and corrective actions will also be reviewed.

NOTE: Course content is intended for single connection systems with a groundwater source and no requirement for chlorine disinfection. For small systems using chlorine and requirements for secondary disinfection, please refer to Advanced for Small Drinking Water Systems (O. Reg. 319/08).

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

• Small drinking water system duties and responsibilities
• Knowledge of source water protection and maintenance requirements
• Describe disinfection of drinking water and operation of a UV light
• Perform common maintenance and routine checks required for a UV light
• Responding to potential drinking water quality issues

Target Audience

This course is geared to owners and operators of small drinking water systems under Ontario Regulation 319/08 with a single connection and no requirement for chlorine disinfection.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Participants will learn best operational and maintenance practices for small drinking water systems to ensure the system is meeting its design objectives and providing high quality drinking water.

Through the discussion of various case studies, participants will have an opportunity to examine circumstances creating adverse test results, identify causes and discuss opportunities for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to avoid future issues.

Target Audience

Owners and operators of small drinking water systems as defined in the Ministry of the Environment’s O. Reg. 170/03. Successful completion of this Director approved course can be used to maintain your “Trained Person” designation as defined under Ontario Regulation 170/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page to view our upcoming schedule!

This course provides participants with an overview of basic chemistry principles related to the water industry.

Areas of study include:

• Definitions
• Symbols and formula
• The Periodic table
• Molecular weights
• States of matter
• pH concepts
• Ionization and electrolysis
• Alkalinity and hardness relationships
• Chemical principles of coagulation
• Coagulation ionization reactions in water
• Oxidation-reduction reactions in water
• Oxidants in water treatment
• Chemistry of chlorination and chloramination
• Oxidation versus disinfection
• Chemistry of iron and manganese
• THMs
• Taste and odour
• Expressing concentrations (molality, molarity, normality, ppm, % strength)
• Common chemicals used in water treatment

Target Audience

This course is directed to drinking water treatment operators at any level, from OIT through to Class 4.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Visit our course registration page for our upcoming course schedule!

Participants will receive an overview of system responsibilities set out at the federal, provincial and municipal levels for drinking water quality compliance. This session will focus on monitoring requirements in Ontario, and setting goals based on outcomes.

Sampling/sample handling and notification of adverse results will be discussed in detail. The interpretation of test results will be examined in order to meet regulated parameters and establish targets that go beyond the regulations.

Applicable sections of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS) and applicable regulations will be reviewed in support of establishing best practices for corrective action and continuous improvement.

Target Audience

This course is designed for experienced distribution and treatment operators with some degree of knowledge of Ontario drinking water regulations.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site, Virtual

Course Overview

This course reviews the duties and responsibilities of small drinking water system owners and operators under Ontario Regulation 319/08. Participants will learn about the different characteristics of drinking water sources, multi-step approach to treatment and maintenance of system equipment. This session will also review proper monitoring, sampling techniques and responding to water quality issues.

NOTE: The content of this course is specific to small systems that utilize UV and chlorine for primary disinfection, and may have secondary disinfection requirements because they have a distribution system. For drinking water system owners and operators with a single connection with no chlorine disinfection requirement, please refer to Basics for Small Drinking Water Systems (O. Reg. 319/08).

By the end of this session, participants will have gained an understanding of:

• Small drinking water system duties and responsibilities
• Multi Barrier treatment equipment used in small systems
• Operational and maintenance checks for the treatment and system equipment
• Knowledge of distribution and storage systems maintenance
• Responding to potential drinking water quality issues

Target Audience

This course is geared to small system drinking water owners and operators with multiple connections that utilize multi-barrier treatment requirements under Ontario Regulation 319/08.

Delivery Methods Possible

Classroom, On Site