The Need for Water Treatment Professionals

Got Water?

Year World
Population
Increase
per day
U.S.
Population
Increase
per day
         
1900 1,500,000,000   76,000,000  
1960 3,000,000,000 68,000 179,000,000 4,700
2000 6,000,000,000 205,000 281,000,000 6,000

At our current nearly 250,000 increase in the human population EVERY DAY, the need for purified water, and for water treatment professionals to produce it, increases every day.

Since 1998, DHP has provided on-campus, college-degreed training programs for people wanting to get into the ever-growing high-tech water treatment field. DHP originally partnered with community colleges to present DHP’s Advanced Water Treatment Program (AWTP). DHP is now in the process of licensing colleges to present the AWTP. Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, TX is the first licensee.

In 2008, DHP created the Water Technologies Training Institute with plans to accredit it as a college in the future. To discuss licensing, please contact Charlie Bedford at 877-711-4DHP or at cbedford@dhptraining.com.

Advanced Water Treatment Program (AWTP)

The Advanced Water Treatment Program (AWTP) is an up-to-date technical training program that excellently prepares graduates for a career anywhere in the water treatment industry.

Career Opportunities

Graduates find careers in the water treatment field, with opportunities in many diverse areas such as:

  • Municipal drinking water plants
  • Semiconductor industry
  • Pharmaceutical/Biotech
  • Food and dairy industry
  • Petrochemical industry
  • Electric power generation industry
  • Water reuse or recycling plants
  • Industrial wastewater plants
  • Water treatment service companies
  • Water treatment chemical companies
  • Governmental agencies

AWTP Training Format

Recognizing that each student learns differently, the AWTP utilizes a multimedia approach. Textbooks, videos, demonstrations, computer-based training, labs, and hands-on equipment operation are all integrated to ensure an interesting and effective learning experience.

AWTP Overview Of Class Times And Grading

The AWTP is designed for working adult learners:

  • Classes meet all day Saturday (8-6) or on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6-10:30).
  • Half of the time is spent in the classroom (lecture). Half of the time is spent in hands-on training (Computer-Based Training, Water Analysis Lab, Water Plant)
  • Students are graded based on tests, attendance, hands-on proficiency, and homework

Certificates/Degree

While some AWTP students don’t pursue a degree and simply want the water treatment training and get a job, many pursue a degree. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Advanced Water Treatment is the typical degree. One-year college certificates or other non-degree acknowledgements may also be given.

Non-Degree Requirements

Students that do not want an AAS degree in AWTP but want to learn the AWTP course information (the minimum to acquire a job in the industry) should take the following.

Courses

Credit hrs
Advanced Water Treatment 36
Water Treatment Math 3
Water Treatment Chemistry 3
Water Treatment Biology 3
Water Treatment Controllers 3

Total

48

Degree Requirements

Some companies require a degree for entry level and/or for advancement. The following is a generic AAS degree program. The “General Education” course requirements are customized to meet the standards of the college.

Courses

Credit hrs
Advanced Water Treatment 36
General Education 15-21
Water Treatment Math 3
Water Treatment Chemistry 3
Water Treatment Biology 3
Water Treatment Controllers 3

Total

63-69

Finishing By Correspondence after Job Placement

Students are encouraged, especially in the fourth semester, to apply for jobs in the water treatment field prior to graduation. Students that obtain a job in water treatment may finish the AWTP through correspondence, and may receive an AAS degree when all other requirements are met.

Advanced Water Treatment Program Curriculum

Semester 1

Introduction to Water Treatment Systems (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to the various sources of raw water, pretreatment, purification, and distribution. Water treatment safety is covered.

Plant Equipment (3 Credits)
This course covers basic hand tools, equipment, chemical injections, safety and troubleshooting of water treatment systems. Students will also gain an understanding of piping and instrumentation diagrams. Hands-on experience with pumps, valves, gauges and meters is provided.

Conventional and Pretreatment Water Technologies (3 Credits)
This course covers the technologies required to produce safe drinking water as well as the pretreated water required for advanced technologies.
 

Semester 2

Membrane Technologies I (3 Credits)
This course covers the theory, process and equipment of common membrane water treatment systems.

Membrane Technologies II (3 Credits)
This course covers the theory, process and equipment of common membrane water treatment systems.

Membrane Unit Monitoring and Troubleshooting (3 Credits)
This course covers the initial monitoring and troubleshooting skills required to effectively operate and maintain a membrane water treatment system.
 

Semester 3

Water Analysis and Monitoring (3 Credits)
This course covers the standard laboratory procedures and on-stream analysis for the measurement of silica, organic compounds, ions, particles, and microorganisms.

Pretreatment Troubleshooting (3 Credits)
This course covers the operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of membrane pretreatment equipment including multimedia filters and activated carbon beds, as well as how to prevent the common scaling, fouling, and chemical attack problems which membrane units may experience.

Advanced Membrane Monitoring (3 Credits)
This course covers the advanced troubleshooting procedures and techniques required for identifying and correcting common membrane unit problems, including probing, profiling, element replacements, element autopsies, chemical cleaning, and using mathematical calculations and/or computer software programs for trend analysis.

Semester 4

Ion Exchange Technology (3 Credits)
This course covers the characteristics of feedwater contaminants and the fundamental principles of water purification using ion exchange technology.

High Purity Water Technologies (3 Credits)
This course covers the principles and operation of post ion-exchange equipment including ultraviolet irradiation units and final filters, as well as the minimization of dead legs and periodic disinfection of high purity water piping.

Certification Review (3 Credits)
This course is a review of water plant operations and safe drinking water laws in preparation for state certification exams.

Benefits of DHP’s AWTP

The curriculum of DHP’s on-campus Advanced Water Treatment Program (AWTP) is the result of David Paul’s experience in the field of high-tech water treatment since 1977. David has been an operator, supervisor and manager of one of the most sophisticated zero-liquid discharge water treatment facilities in the world. He formed David H. Paul, Inc.(DHP) in 1988. DHP has trained nearly 20,000 water treatment professionals worldwide and has provided advanced water treatment consulting services to hundreds of companies including several Fortune 100 companies. DHP’s claim to fame is that we can take anyone with a High School Diploma or equivalent and turn them into high-water treatment professionals. We do this using a step-by-step methodology that utilizes a multimedia approach with half classroom and half hands-on training. This makes the AWTP easy to follow, interesting and enjoyable. AWTP graduates:

  • Are in demand because the quality of DHP training is so well known in the field
  • Are heads above most applicants because most applicants don’t have formal training
  • Learn practical, required, real-world information and skills
  • Become proficient high-tech water treatment professionals
  • MORE!

Features of DHP’s AWTP

  • Step by step
  • 4.5 hours per week of classroom training
  • 4.5 hours per week of hands-on training
  • Interactive
  • 4 semesters in length
  • Receive the coveted DHP Certification
  • Receive a college degree (at NVC)