Water and Wastewater

Summer 2018

Enrollment:

Fall, Winter, Spring

Degrees and Certificates

Program Website:

View the program website

Tuition and Fees

http://www.ccs.spokane.edu/TuitionFees

Additional Costs

Books$150
Supplies and Equipment$100

Program Description

The Water Resources Technology program is designed to prepare students for positions in hydrology and water quality for local, state and federal agencies, and private industry.

The Water Resources Technology Water and Wastewater option is designed to prepare students for positions in public and private water and wastewater operations facilities.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Install, operate and maintain instruments used in stream gaging and discharge measurement.
  2. Collect samples, complete field surveys, analyze, and report water quality parameters in the field and laboratory using standard chemical, biological, physical, and field survey techniques commonly utilized in water resource studies.
  3. Collect, recognize and identify aquatic organisms from invertebrate insects to fish species, relating what is found to the habitat and aquatic ecosystem conditions.
  4. Install, operate, and maintain instruments used in collecting hydro-meteorological measurements.
  5. Set up monitoring plans and schedules to collect, measure, analyze and report ground water levels and water quality parameters.
  6. Be familiar with restoration practices used to improve fish habitat and water quality, including techniques to stabilize slopes, recover degraded lakes and stream courses.
  7. Utilize, interpret and analyze maps and aerial photographs in the characterization and management of water resources, including through the use of geographic information systems (GIS).
  8. Operate a hand compass, level, global positioning systems (GPS) and electronic instruments in determining slopes, running traverses, locating ownership boundaries, and determining locations.
  9. Work safely in a variety of adverse conditions and environments, including obtaining 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification according to the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.120.
  10. Have knowledge and understanding of Federal and State laws that pertain to water and the aquatic environment including a good working knowledge of water rights laws.
  11. Use the computer as a tool for solving water resources problems.
  12. Record, report, analyze and store data gathered according to established protocol.
  13. Write technical reports and give presentations.
  14. Demonstrate human relationship skills and professional behavior needed for successful job performance.

Career Opportunities

There is an increasing demand for technologists to assist professional personnel in the investigation, interpretation and analysis of data for proper monitoring and management of water resources. Potential employers for graduates are federal agencies such as the US Geological Survey, US Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation and US Natural Resources Conservation Service, State water resources agencies, health districts, county and municipal governments, semi-public agencies such as irrigation, drainage and water districts, private lumber and mining companies, and private consulting firms. POTENTIAL POSITIONS INCLUDE: Hydrologic technician, environmental technician, water quality technician, water resources technician, fisheries technician, watershed technician, hydrographer, watermaster, water distribution technician, groundwater technician, water operator.

AAS - SCC

Offered at Locations:  Spokane Community College

First Quarter
ENGL&101English Composition I 45
ENVS&101Intro to Env Science 25
NATRS112Natural Resources Mathematical Applications 15
NATRS120Basic Computer Applications in Natural Resources 2
WATER128Occupational Preparation and Experience 1
WATER131Hydrologic Field Projects 31
19

Second Quarter
NATRS122Natural Resources Trigonometric Applications 15
NATRS204Maps and Aerial Photo Interpretation 5
WATER109Introduction to Water Resources 5
WATER129Occupational Preparation and Experience 1
WATER132Hydrologic Field Projects 31
17

Third Quarter
ENVS 220Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Natural Resources 55
ENVS 232Applied Research in Hydrology 63
NATRS230Global Positioning Systems 3
WATER135Pumps, Pipes, Hydrants, and Valves 3
WATER210Hydrologic Measurement 3
17

Fourth Quarter
ENVS 211Weather and Climate 5
ENVS 234Applied Research in Water/Wastewater Operations 3
WATER208Water Data and Records Analysis 3
WATER211Water and Wastewater Regulations 3
WATER228Occupational Preparation and Experience 1
15

Fifth Quarter
ENVS 233Applied Research in Water Quality 63
WATER110Hydrogeology 5
WATER209Water Quality 5
WATER229Occupational Preparation and Experience 1
14

Sixth Quarter
ENVS 231Applied Research in Geographic Information Systems 63
ENVS 233Applied Research in Water Quality 3
ENVS 234Applied Research in Water/Wastewater Operations 63
WATER212Water Rights and Laws 5
14
96 credits are required for the AAS
1Must be completed with a 2.0 or higher before advancing to NATRS 122.
2May be substituted with GEOL& 101 or CHEM 115.
3Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 of the 6 hydrologic projects (WATER 131, 132, 133, 231, 232, 233).
4May be substituted with WATER 120.
5Must be completed with a 2.0 or higher before advancing to NATRS 221.
6Students are required to complete a total of 18 credits of Applied Research courses (ENVS 231, 232, 233, 234).

Disclaimer: The college cannot guarantee courses will be offered in the quarters indicated. During the period this guide is in circulation, there may be curriculum revisions and program changes. Students are responsible for consulting the appropriate academic unit or adviser for more current and specific information. the information in this guide is subject to change and does not constitute an agreement between the college and the student.