CLEARLAKE, Calif. – With more than 900 public water systems in the five-county area – Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Colusa – many jobs are available for qualified water treatment and distribution operators.

Additionally, there are numerous wastewater treatment facilities in the area that are looking for new employees for the workforce.

The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College is now offering an associate in science degree in water and wastewater treatment in addition to the 18-unit certificate.

The certificate can be completed in one year (fall and spring semesters), and students can earn the degree by taking additional general education courses to expand their knowledge.

The associate degree is ideal for those who are interested in going into management jobs at water and wastewater agencies.

Three level-one courses in water/wastewater treatment and distribution are offered in the fall semester on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 8:50 p.m. starting on Aug. 19.

The level-two courses are taught in the spring semester beginning Jan. 13, 2020.

“The starting wages for public utilities in these counties range are also from $16 an hour up to $35 an hour, depending on the county,” said instructor John Hamner. “With a few years of experience the salary rates can reach $25 to $45 an hour, and this usually includes benefits like retirement, medical and dental.”

Drinking water comes from groundwater wells and from surface water sources like lakes and rivers. State and federal laws require that this water be tested, and treated if necessary, before it is deemed safe for drinking.

The testing and the treating of safe drinking water is a task performed by certified water operators.

Federal and state law requires that the men and women that operate water and wastewater treatment facilities be certified through the State Water Resources Control Board.

The certificate and degree at the Lake County Campus provide all the knowledge and understand to pass the certifying exams.

Protecting our drinking water sources from contaminants in California has become more important than ever. Often drinking water sources become contaminated by sewage.

Wastewater treatment and disposal is becoming more important as the need for safe drinking water sources increases.

One of the end products of wastewater treatment is the recycled wastewater, which used to be considered a disposable by-product of wastewater treatment. Today this product is in high demand, and only certified wastewater operators can produce and provide this valuable resource while also protecting drinking water sources.

For more information about the Water and Wastewater Treatment program, call the Lake County Campus, 707-995-7900, or instructor John Hamner, 707-277-0420, today.

The Lake County Campus is located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.

For more information about the Lake County Campus, visit http://lcc.yccd.edu .