- Overview
- On Campus
- Off Campus Short Courses
- About the Program and Faculty
- Browse Courses in Environmental Health (Water) Technology [PDF]
As more communities update their water and wastewater facilities and populations grow, the need for trained and certified operators will increase. Water quality control operators are people who have the technological training to operate water and wastewater treatment systems. They are responsible for seeing that treatment systems work properly and provide safe water at all times. The responsibility to meet federal and state requirements has led each state to require that water quality control operators be licensed before operating a plant.
Designated Missouri State Training Center for the training of personnel involved in the operation, maintenance and management of water quality facilities
New Program Changes!
Now Offering Online Training
Starting Spring 2011, all classes will be offered online with a 16-week wastwater certificate. After the 16-week on-site program, successful graduates will hold a Class "D" Wastewater License.
Crowder College offers several career certificate programs - Wastewater Treatment Technology, Water Treatment Technology (Fall 2011) and Utility Management (Fall 2011) - (refer to the current catalog) for the Water and Wastewater Treatment Professional. The new Certificate Programs can each be completed in one semester of online study at Crowder College. The certificates are awarded by Crowder College (not the EPA or as a license).
Benefits of Our Program
- Employability - Career opportunities with industries and municipalities are posted for students and graduates
- Flexibility - All courses will now be offered online so students can take courses at their own pace without travel to a training facility.
- Low Cost - Tuition for the program has been adjusted for this program to remain competitive in the industry and provide affordable training. Rates are based upon residency as with all other courses and programs Crowder College offers.
- MODNR Continuing Education Credit - Students pursuing either the certificate or individual course options will gain dual credit for maintaining existing state certifications in water treatment, water distribution and wastewater treatment, and towards completion of a certificate or degree.
- Certification Success Rate — During the on campus training each student is offered the opportunity to take the Missouri Wastewater and Drinking Water Certification Tests proctored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Students completing this program have shown a certification pass rate of over 90%.
- Degree Option — Students may choose to continue their education at Crowder College and may pursue an Associate of Arts degree in Environmental Health Technology. Transferability is accepted at many 4-year colleges.
We have been providing quality environmental training since 1959!
Short Courses and Off Site Training
Short Courses Offered [PDF] *Please Call For Up to Date Classes and Prices!
We provide in-service training courses for water and wastewater operators. These courses range in length from one day to five days. The courses provide practical operational techniques and are usually specific to certain treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. New courses are added to the short course offering list as new technologies emerge and when new laboratory monitoring is required.
Crowder College offers specialized training for industry, consulting engineers, and municipalities on a contract basis. These specialized training projects are designed to meet the specific needs of the contracting agent. The training program is customized to the experience/education level of the student, the specific technology being operated and the regulations which apply to the facility being operated.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
The Environmental Resource Center is expanding training into the area of onsite wastewater treatment systems under the administration of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) for the State of Missouri. Crowder College was awared a sub-grant through the EPA 319 Stormwater Grant to fund the design, construction, and operation of a fully functioning onsite wastewater demonstration site adjacent to the City of Neosho Wastewater Treatment Facility. Training will be conducted in accordance with the DHSS guidelines for onsite wastewater regulations. Persons holding license through the state in basic or advanced installers, inspectors and evaluators, onsite soil evaluators, and registered percolation testers will be offered continuing education credits through our training courses.
Faculty and Staff
Karen M. Conrad
Karen Conrad has been in the Environmental Technology field since 1980. She is a graduate of the Water and Wastewater Technical School and has an AS in Environmental Health Technology and a BS in Management Technology from Missouri Southern State University, and a MBA from Pittsburg State University. She has earned many state certifications, including a Class A Water Certification in both Missouri and Oklahoma, and a Class C Wastewater Certification in Oklahoma. Karen has developed a diverse background of experience and knowledge from working in municipal water treatment for both surface and ground water systems and also in municipal wastewater, industrial wastewater pretreatment, hazardous materials management and safety management over the past 30 years. She most recently served as a technical assistance provider and consultant to over 50 communities and rural water districts in the State of Oklahoma and has prepared and presented numerous technical training sessions for operators and City officials during the past 20 years.
Autumn M. Sweet
Autumn Sweet possesses an Associate’s degree from Crowder College. Ms. Sweet has been employed at Crowder College since 1994. Autumn was hired as the Faculty Secretary for the Environmental Resource Center (ERC) and was promoted to Administrative Assistant in 1995. Ms. Sweet is responsible for a wide variety of on-campus and off-campus functions. Her assistance has been instrumental in the success of our students and she is always willing and able to help them succeed. Her tenure in the ERC has served to provide continuity in our programs, both on-campus and off-campus (Short Courses), and she is a valuable asset to the program.
Contact
We are happy to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our program and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your education! You can contact our office directly at our toll free number: 1-800-848-8726