Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators

Date

June 19 - 23, 2023

Time

8:30 am - 4:30 pm (coffee & lunch provided)

Location

Walkerton Clean Water Centre
20 Ontario Road
WALKERTON, ON
Click Here for Map of Location

Duration

5 days

CEU Value

7.0

Cost

Regular: $1845.00 + $0.00 HST = $1845.00 CAD

Course Overview

This course provides new operators with a basic understanding of water characteristics and pathogens, treatment and distribution processes, and the regulations that govern water quality. This course is intended to complement the on-the-job training that Operators in Training (OITs) receive from their employers.
The course consists of two components. The first involves approximately 40 hours of self-study. The self-study manual will be mailed to the registrant within five (5) business days of registration.
Once the first portion is completed, the participant must pass a self-administered exam in order to proceed to the classroom portion of the course.
The classroom session is one week in duration and consists of a final exam that covers subject areas addressed both in the self-study and classroom portions of the course.

Target Audience

This is a mandatory course required by all new operators. It must be completed within 3 years from the date an OIT certificate in drinking water treatment and/or distribution was issued.

This course is currently closed because there is not enough time to complete the self study component of the course before the classroom date. Please call us at 1-866-515-0550 if you would like to discuss options.

Course Trainer:

Venkat Ramani

As a Senior Operational Instructor with the Walkerton Clean Water Centre since 2008, Venkat delivers water related training courses and has trained more than 6000 operators across the province and also develops new water related courses. Venkat was instrumental in establishing a partnership with Bimose Tribal Council for the delivery of training to First Nation Operators in 2010. Venkat also played a key role in establishing a MOU with the Region of Peel to deliver an on-site ‘Water Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan Procedures’ course to approximately 175 staff. He is a member of WCWC's Training Advisory and Research Advisory Committees.

Venkat started his career as an Environmental Engineer since 1988 with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Government of India. During his 11 years of tenure with the MOE, his key responsibility was enforcement of relevant statutes and legislations to industrial establishments for compliance.

During his tenure as an Environmental Services Engineer with the Town of St. Marys (2005-2008), his key role was to ensure that the town's water & wastewater treatment, wastewater collection and water distribution systems complied with the statutes. Venkat played a lead role in evaluating alternatives for biosolids management, conducted pilot scale study for sewage treatment plant upgrade with the Town receiving ‘Biosolids Excellence Award’ from the Water Environment Association of Ontario for Biosolids Management.

During his tenure as a Junior Engineer with Genivar (formerly Henderson Paddon & Associates) for almost two years, Venkat was involved in the design of several municipal water systems, and participated in Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process for several water related projects.

Venkat holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Nagpur University (India).

Venkat is a Registered Professional Engineer in Ontario and a member of the American Water Works Association, Ontario Water Works Association and Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Venkat is currently the Vice-Chair of OWWA, Small Systems Committee.

Course Trainer:

Lindsay Ariss

Lindsay is the Senior Technician at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. She has been with the WCWC since 2010. Lindsay supports the delivery of the WCWC’s drinking water courses and pilot testing services. She also provides information and education through the WCWC’s helpline services. Lindsay is a Water Quality Analyst and a Certified Joint Health and Safety Committee Worker Representative. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Biology and Technology from Nipissing University and a Diploma in Environmental Protection and Compliance (Environmental Technician) from Canadore College. Lindsay’s experience in the quality assurance field is an asset to the work being conducted in the WCWC lab.