Water Quality Technician (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

Water is a life source that millions of species depend on for survival. As a water quality technician, you will work towards keeping water safe for consumption and for its return to the environment through proven treatment methods. Distribution and collection methods will also be examined. As part of this program, you will complete the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks entry-level Drinking Water course and may also challenge the four Ministry operator-in-training exams (water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution and wastewater collection) for an additional fee. This program also offers you the opportunity to add to your skills and knowledge with real-life work experience gained through either a field placement or a co-operative education (co-op) experience.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

Note: this program has additional recommended requirements. Please visit the Admission Requirements tab for further information.

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Tuition

Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
Year one international: $13,322 (CAD)

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Semester 1 Courses

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Co-operative Education

Science

Working outdoors

Technology recommendations

To help students succeed in programs with remote learning requirements, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified minimum technology recommendations. While these are not program requirements, these suggestions will help ensure students have the right tools to support a quality remote learning experience.

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Intakes and Availability

Date	Domestic Availability	International Availability
September 2021	Open	Open

Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Maintenance operator
Compliance officer
Water quality technician
Technical support
Wastewater collection operator
Customer service, construction coordinator
Asset management inspector
Lead sampling group technician
Process and compliance technician
Works technician
Utilities technician

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Program Details

Public health depends on the superior management of water quality and a team of professionals is required to ensure safe water for residents of Ontario. The Water Quality Technician program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to work in water and wastewater treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and environmental monitoring.

You will receive the specific education required to develop the skills needed to meet the demands of municipalities with water and wastewater treatment systems, water-use industries and environmental monitoring agencies.

Classes will be delivered at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, depending on the semester and year. This enables students to utilize various applicable lab resources. Students will be notified in advance when they register for classes.

You will focus on:

Engineering concepts
Environmental quality
Professional responsibility relating to co-workers, the public and regulators
The impact that water quality has on human health

Targeted skills development includes:

Chemistry and mathematics related to water quality, treatment and analysis
Conflict management, problem solving and effective communications
Emerging pathogen risks and public health concepts
Hydrology
Knowledge development in the areas of operation of water and wastewater systems
Microbiology
System design concepts and blue print reading
Sampling, laboratory techniques and data interpretation

Please note: You will be required to purchase green tag safety boots in order to participate in many laboratory settings.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 mathematics (C, M or U)

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Maintenance operator
Compliance officer
Water quality technician
Technical support
Wastewater collection operator
Customer service, construction coordinator
Asset management inspector
Lead sampling group technician
Process and compliance technician
Works technician
Utilities technician

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Environmental monitoring agencies
Equipment providers
Government laboratory and regulatory branches
Industrial operations
Construction contractors
Municipal government
Water and wastewater treatment plants across Canada

Experiential Learning

Co-operative education

A co-operative education (co-op) option is available to students in this program. Students who qualify for co-op will complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program. Entrance into the co-op option is competitive and requires students to complete an application process for consideration.

Field Placement

Students completing a field placement will participate in an unpaid work experience that will allow you to utilize your applied training and further develop hands-on competencies critical to developing public trust in water quality.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Technology Recommendations

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

Processor: i3
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
Internet connection

Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.

Co-operative education (co-op)

Students in the Water Quality Technician Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

Program sequence

	Fall (September to December)	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Co-op work term 1
Year 2	Academic semester 3	Academic semester 4

Courses

CO-OP Option

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-OP WORK TERM

Co-op Work Term 1 (WTRC 1000)
The co-op work term will provide students with work experience in water and wastewater treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and environmental monitoring. The co-op work term expands students’ learning environment to real work settings where they will be challenged to apply their academic knowledge and then return to campus with a deepened understanding of industry demands and required skills.

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.

Co-op administrative fee

Once transferred to the co-op option of a program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts. The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.

Learn more

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.

Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.

Water Quality Technician (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Tuition

Semester 1 Courses

Technology recommendations

Intakes and Availability

Co-operative Education (co-op)

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Recommended

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Costs

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

Experiential Learning

Co-operative education

Field Placement

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Technology Recommendations

Co-operative education (co-op)

Program sequence

Courses

CO-OP Option

SEMESTER 1

SEMESTER 2

CO-OP WORK TERM

SEMESTER 3

SEMESTER 4

Co-op administrative fee

Learn more

Water Quality Technician (Co-op option available) in the news

Helpful Resources

College guide September 2020 [PDF]

College guide September 2020 [Interactive]

Graduate Employment Report [PDF]