Vermont Rural Water Association

Class 4 Water Treatment Course
2025-09-03 08:30 - 2025-10-28 15:30 (America/New_York) | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Dates
Wednesday, September 3
Tuesday, September 9
Wednesday, September 24
Tuesday, September 30
Tuesday, October 7
Tuesday, October 14 (on Zoom)
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 28
8:30 am to 3:30 pm each day
Description
This multi-week course is designed for those training to become a Class 4 water treatment operator. All aspects of water operations are covered to prepare you to take the certification exams. You are expected to attend all class sessions.
Textbooks
The following books are required for all students:
Water Treatment Plant Operation, Volume 1 (Office of Water Programs, Sacramento State) – $100
Water System Operations Water Treatment, Grade 2 (American Water Works Association) – $86

This book is recommended:
Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (American Water Works Association) – $106
Books can be purchased along with your registration and will be distributed on the first day of class.
Credit
48 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Exam
Find information about the Class 4 Certification Exam at https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/public-water-system-operator-certification/public-water-system-operator-exams

Class 3 Water Treatment Course
2025-09-24 08:30 - 2025-10-28 15:30 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Dates
Wednesday, September 24
Tuesday, September 30
Tuesday, October 7
Tuesday, October 14 (on Zoom)
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 28
8:30 am to 3:30 pm each day
Description
This multi-week course is designed for those training to become a Class 3 water treatment operator. All aspects of water operations are covered to prepare you to take the certification exam. You are expected to attend all class sessions.
Textbooks
The following books are required for all students:
Small Water System Operation and Maintenance (Office of Water Programs, Sacramento State) – $100
Water System Operations Water Treatment, Grade 2 (American Water Works Association) – $86

This book is recommended:
Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (American Water Works Association) – $106
Books can be purchased along with your registration and will be distributed on the first day of class.
Credit
36 TCH (Water)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Exam
Find information about the Class 3 Certification Exam at https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/public-water-system-operator-certification/public-water-system-operator-exams

Basic Wastewater Course
2025-09-25 08:00 - 2025-11-05 15:00 | National Life Complex, Dewey Building, 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Dates
Thursday, September 25
Thursday, October 2
Thursday, October 9
Wednesday, October 15 – on Zoom (beginning at 9 am)
Thursday, October 16
Thursday, October 23
Thursday, October 30
Wednesday, November 5
8 am to 3 pm each day (except October 15)
Description
This eight-session course will prepare attendees to take the Grades 1, 2, or 3 Domestic Wastewater certification exams, and is a great primer for those taking higher grade exams. Attendees will learn the basic concepts of wastewater treatment from collection system to final disposal of effluents and solids.
The course will be taught by Elijah Lemieux and Wayne Graham from the Vermont Rural Water Association, along with guest presenters to provide expertise on specific topics.
Textbook
The course is based on Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (Volume 1, 8th edition) by the Office of Water Programs. All students are required to have a copy of this book. You can purchase it for $100 when you register for this class.
Credit
47 TCH – Wastewater
Cost
$800 (with textbook)
$700 (no textbook)
Register early! The maximum class size is 20.

Small Systems Class 2 Water Treatment Course
2025-10-14 09:00 - 2025-10-23 13:30 | Hybrid (Zoom & Essex), 20 Susie Wilson Rd, Essex Junction, VT, 05452, United States
Description
This course is designed for those who will be taking the Vermont Class 2 Water Operator Certification Exam. The four-session class provides an overview of how to operate a small public water system using groundwater as a source. Topics include the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, source water sampling, well construction, source protection, water storage, distribution, hydraulics, cross-connections, safety, disinfection, treatment, and relevant math.
This class is not designed for the operators of Transient Non-Community Systems (TNCs).
Credit
16 TCH (Water)
Textbook
Introduction to Small Water Systems is recommended for this class. You can purchase it here for $60. Please purchase by October 6 to receive it by the first day of class.
Dates
Tuesday, October 14
Thursday, October 16
Tuesday, October 21
Thursday, October 23
9 am to 1:30 pm each day
Hybrid
Each session will be held in-person at our office in Essex and on Zoom. For each session, you will receive a Zoom link by email the day before class. Click here for more information about webinar trainings.
In-person address:
20 Susie Wilson Rd, Suite B
Essex Junction, VT 05452
Please park in lower lot, behind building. Handicap parking is available in upper lot by entrance.
Instructor
Tim Russo (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Exam
Those seeking a Class 2 water operator certification after completing this course are encouraged to sign up early to take an exam. There are two options:

Paper exams will be offered on Friday, November 7 in Montpelier and Rutland. The registration deadline is October 3. Register at https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/public-water-system-operator-certification/public-water-system-operator-exams
Computer-based exams are offered by appointment in South Burlington and some PSI testing centers in other states. Learn more about computer exams here.

Basic Math for Water and Wastewater Operators: Day 3
2025-10-22 09:00 - 15:00 | F.W. Webb, 80 Park Avenue, Williston, VT, United States
Description
This class is part of a three-day series that covers basic math concepts that operators use frequently in their work and are most likely to appear on the water and wastewater certification exams. Participants may sign up for one or all three of the individual classes. We encourage participants to attend all three days if they are preparing for water or wastewater exams.
In this third and final session, the following topics will be covered:

Filter flow rate and filter backwash rate
Clarifier loading
Horsepower and efficiency
Chlorine calculations
Electricity and power costs
Alkalinity

Textbook
Math Handbook for Water System Operators by Bob Larsen is required for all students. You can purchase this book along with your registration for $40. Books will be distributed at the beginning of class.
Credit
5 TCH (Water & Wastewater)
Instructor
Paula Jackson (Vermont Rural Water Association)
Cost
$40 Member
$80 Non-member
$40 Textbook
Additional Classes
This is the second in a series of three classes. You are not required to take all three.
Basic Math for Water and Wastewater Operators: Day 1 on Wednesday, October 1 – Register Here
Basic Math for Water and Wastewater Operators: Day 2 on Wednesday, October 15 – Register Here
