Online Course
Introduction to Wastewater Collection Systems
Learn how sewers, manholes and lift stations carry wastewater to the plant, and how crews inspect, clean and repair them and keep themselves safe.
Course Details
- Certificate
- 1.0 hour
- Time
- About 70 minutes
- To pass
- 80% or better on the final
- Price
- For credit: $20, or $150 for the Course Pass. To learn with no credit: Included with Premium Pay for this course
For You
Pick your state or province to see if this course counts.
Your progress
Checking your course record…
What You'll Learn
- Describe what collection operators do and why the system matters.
- Follow wastewater from service laterals through gravity sewers, manholes and lift stations to treatment.
- Recognize pipe materials, defects, slope and flow behavior, and why you locate before you dig.
- Explain how lift station pumps, level controls, alarms and backup power work.
- Describe inspection and cleaning methods such as camera inspection, smoke and dye testing, and jetting.
- Recognize common problems, repairs and overflows, and the safety rules for confined spaces, traffic and trenches.
What's Inside 8 parts, 72 pages
The Work 8 pages
- Welcome
- Why It Matters
- The Operator
- A Full System
- Around the Clock
- Public Trust
- The WPI View
- Work Check
Follow the Flow 8 pages
- Where Flow Begins
- Service Laterals
- Gravity Sewers
- Manholes
- Separate Systems
- Combined Systems
- To Treatment
- Flow Check
Know the Network 9 pages
- System Maps
- Pipe Materials
- Joints and Defects
- Size and Shape
- Slope and Grade
- Flow Behavior
- Odor and Corrosion
- Locate First
- Network Check
Lift Stations 9 pages
- Why They Pump
- The Wet Well
- Pumps
- Level Control
- Valves and Mains
- Alarms and SCADA
- Backup Power
- Station Rounds
- Station Check
Inspect and Clean 9 pages
- Routine Inspection
- Camera Inspection
- Flow and Samples
- Smoke Testing
- Dye Testing
- Cleaning Choices
- Jetting Safely
- Vacuum Work
- Inspection Check
Problems and Repairs 9 pages
- Blockages
- Roots and Grease
- Rags and Debris
- I and I
- Pipe Failure
- Open-Cut Repair
- New and Renewed
- Overflows
- Response Check
Work Safely 10 pages
- Safety Culture
- Traffic Control
- Confined Spaces
- Test the Air
- Vent and Rescue
- Lockout Tagout
- Tools and Pressure
- Trenching
- Hygiene and PPE
- Safety Check
Become the Operator 10 pages
- Work Orders
- Customer Calls
- Rules and Reports
- Security
- Operator Math
- Read the Trend
- Certification
- First-Year Habits
- Career Paths
- The Mission
More Details
Who It's For
New and future operators, and anyone who wants a clear introduction to the work. No experience needed.
Format
72 narrated pages with short checks and a final. Built by a working wastewater operator (Washington Group III).
Where Does This Course Count?
A course counts toward your continuing education credit only once your state or province accepts it. Today Minnesota and Montana have approved our courses, they count in Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, South Carolina, where courses need no pre-approval, and we are asking more states. Ask us to add your state or province.
Do I Need an Account?
Yes, to take the course. Signing in lets us record your time and issue your certificate. This page, the topic pages and the practice questions need no account.
Can I Skip Ahead?
No. Each page has a minimum time before the next one opens, and your time is recorded.
What Do I Get When I Finish?
A certificate of completion from Operator Master for 1.0 hour, once you pass the final with 80% or better. Your operator certificate or license always comes from your state, not from Operator Master.