This program is offered in multiple terms:
Certificate Courses: Current dates and future semester offerings (✔)
(subject to change)
<strong>Award of Certificate</strong><br />
To obtain the certificate complete four courses online: <em>Water Essentials; Legislation, Regulations and Operations; Water and Wastewater Treatment;</em> and <em>Sustainable Landscape Practices.</em><br /><br />
The same water that existed on earth billions of years ago still exists today. The trick is how to recycle it for years to come. Providing a safe and reliable water supply to support residents in every city is a major responsibility in water supplies, infrastructure, and operations.
A five-year study predicts a growth rate of 10-20% for water industry occupations. Pay in the water industry is highly competitive across the U.S. New occupational titles are being developed daily. This certificate program is designed to prepare students for occupations in the water industry.<br /><br />
<strong>Workforce Benefits in Water</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Understand how to re-frame and re-career your portfolio using new skills in a growing profession</li>
<li>Learn to improve water supply reliability, improve water quality, learn about local and regional water conservation and water recycling programs</li>
<li>Learn from industry expert instructors, and be able to deliver improved knowledge of sustainable practices in the water environment for homes and commercial buildings</li>
<li>Make a positive contribution to a more sustainable future for the region, the nation and the world</li>
<li>Take courses online; anywhere, anytime, any place</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend<br />
Professionals from all design and construction disciplines, individuals wanting to get into a new, fast growing career, energy managers and assistants, construction workers and builders, wastewater and recycling water administrators, operations and maintenance workers, city regulators, organic farming and agriculture employees, landscapers, consultants, planners and commissioners, and anyone interested in developing best practices in water and conservation.<br /><br />
<strong>Career Pathways</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Water Conservation/Water Resources Workers</li>
<li>Soil Conservation Technicians</li>
<li>Water Conservation Specialists</li>
<li>Desalination Manager/Workers</li>
<li>Environmental Compliance Inspectors</li>
<li>Water Quality Analysts</li>
<li>Sustainable Landscapers</li>
<li>Wastewater Treatment Operators</li>
<li>Water/Land Compliance Professionals</li>
</ul>
Course Descriptions
Water is essential to life. Nearly all water needs to be treated before use. Millions of people experience water shortages every day. This course is the foundation of the certificate and includes: a short history of water, patterns of water use, the urban water crisis and management, and water use in home and commercial buildings. The course covers basic information about the water and sewer utility operating environment and water sources, as well as the key issues in water demand planning.<br /><br />
Students will learn about the history of drinking water regulations and current regulations including the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Topics include: today's water crisis, management and best practices, an introduction to regulatory affairs and restrictions, water sources in California , nationwide, and globally, commercial and domestic water use, the colors of water, our water footprint, responding to the water crisis, and new trends.<br /><br />
<strong>Workforce Benefits</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Online, anytime, anywhere</li>
<li>Discover and analyze best practices in water technology within the built environment.</li>
<li>Learn how to integrate sustainable ecological principles into urban and natural communities.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Who Should Attend</strong><br />
This course is applicable for professionals from a wide range of industries and sectors who are interested in water sustainability. Participants from local, state and federal government, especially those who are engaged in environmental and planning activities, would also benefit from the course.
Wastewater comes from many sources, from residential to commercial, industrial to agricultural. In this course, students will learn why wastewater is so important to understand, the variety of solutions needed to process and treat wastewater, the types of solutions available for treatment (methods and plant types) and the innovative directions wastewater is going in.<br /><br />
Topics include: an overview of the water cycle (collect, treat, recycle), salt water to fresh water, types of treatment, recycled water systems, and water math (water calculations, water conversions). Gain an understanding about the future of water and why wastewater treatment needs be a top global priority; the price of water, the costs in your location, how they are calculated, how it is evaluated to assess the needs for wastewater treatment, risk management in wastewater, the economics of wastewater, the landscape aspects, and how recycling and treatments are used commercially, for your own home and in business. Lastly, what new trends and innovative treatment projects are developing locally, nationally and globally.
<strong>Award of Certificate</strong><br />
To obtain the certificate complete four courses online: <em>Water Essentials; Legislation, Regulations and Operations; Water and Wastewater Treatment;</em> and <em>Sustainable Landscape Practices.</em><br /><br />
The same water that existed on earth billions of years ago still exists today. The trick is how to recycle it for years to come. Providing a safe and reliable water supply to support residents in every city is a major responsibility in water supplies, infrastructure, and operations.
A five-year study predicts a growth rate of 10-20% for water industry occupations. Pay in the water industry is highly competitive across the U.S. New occupational titles are being developed daily. This certificate program is designed to prepare students for occupations in the water industry.<br /><br />
<strong>Workforce Benefits in Water</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Understand how to re-frame and re-career your portfolio using new skills in a growing profession</li>
<li>Learn to improve water supply reliability, improve water quality, learn about local and regional water conservation and water recycling programs</li>
<li>Learn from industry expert instructors, and be able to deliver improved knowledge of sustainable practices in the water environment for homes and commercial buildings</li>
<li>Make a positive contribution to a more sustainable future for the region, the nation and the world</li>
<li>Take courses online; anywhere, anytime, any place</li>
</ul>
Who Should Attend<br />
Professionals from all design and construction disciplines, individuals wanting to get into a new, fast growing career, energy managers and assistants, construction workers and builders, wastewater and recycling water administrators, operations and maintenance workers, city regulators, organic farming and agriculture employees, landscapers, consultants, planners and commissioners, and anyone interested in developing best practices in water and conservation.<br /><br />
<strong>Career Pathways</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>Water Conservation/Water Resources Workers</li>
<li>Soil Conservation Technicians</li>
<li>Water Conservation Specialists</li>
<li>Desalination Manager/Workers</li>
<li>Environmental Compliance Inspectors</li>
<li>Water Quality Analysts</li>
<li>Sustainable Landscapers</li>
<li>Wastewater Treatment Operators</li>
<li>Water/Land Compliance Professionals</li>
</ul>
Course Descriptions
Sustainable landscaping practices produce significant economic and environmental benefits. Savings include reduced labor, water and fertilizer costs, lower hauling expenses and disposal fees. Mulching, and composting practices enhance the soil. These practices increase the water-holding capacity of soil, reduce erosion, and conserve water. Topics include composting, irrigation, water harvesting, water wise plants, eating and growing local produce, recycling, xeriscaping, and moving away from a consumptive, non-sustainable lifestyle when choosing materials and tools.
Prerequisite Information
Must have a High School Diploma or a GED.
Water Management and Landscape Sustainability Advisory Board
Lorri Annett Helix Water District, Tish Berge California Water Environment Association, Pamela Berstler Flower to the People, Sonny Brady Aquatain Solutions, Brian Brady Fallbrook Public Utility District, Rob Bremer Poway Water District, Shaina Brown CleanTech San Diego, Siobhan Foley California Center for Sustainable Energy, John Gagel Siemens Water Technologies, Anish Gautam California Energy Commission, Dan Gibbs Home Town Farms, Alicia Glassco San Diego Coastkeeper, Eric Gray Waste Management, Marty Leavitt Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, Holly Lepre CleanTech San Diego, Peter MacLaggan Posiedon Resources, John McGee McGee Landscape Architecture, Carlos Michelon San Diego County Water Authority, John Minchin Dudek, Ron Morrison City of National City, Larry Purcell San Diego Water Authority, Robin Rivet California Center for Sustainable Energy, Toby Roy Water Reuse Association, Maria Rubalcaba Sweetwater Water Authority, David Steel U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce, Cheryll Stewart San Diego Water Authority, Anne Tolch Sustainability Alliance of Southern California, Jase Warner Carlsbad Municipal Water District, Mark Watton Otay Water District, Mark Weston Helix Water District, Rick Halperin GC Green, Joel Holt Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Jeffrey Stephenson San Diego County Water Authority
The College of Extended Studies is a State-approved provider for the Federal Workforce Investment Act for this program.
SDSU Research Foundation Program