Program Name

Certified Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems Specialist (CWCSS)

Overview

The CWCSS program develops participants’ technical and practical competencies in wastewater collection, treatment plant operations, process monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.

It covers the complete treatment process, including collection networks, pumping stations, preliminary, primary, biological, tertiary, and advanced treatment, as well as sludge management. Participants explore technologies such as ASP, SBR, MBBR, MBR, and RBC, with emphasis on water quality monitoring, process control, laboratory data interpretation, equipment maintenance, and occupational safety.

Practical exercises and case studies strengthen participants’ ability to identify operational problems, determine root causes, implement corrective actions, and ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operations.

Outlines

• Explain wastewater collection, conveyance, treatment, and effluent management.
• Identify wastewater characteristics, contaminants, and treatment objectives.
• Describe treatment processes, equipment, and their operating principles.
• Interpret key quality parameters, including BOD, COD, TSS, pH, DO, and nutrients.
• Explain biological treatment principles and evaluate basic process performance.
• Recognize sludge settling problems and common operational deviations.
• Recommend corrective actions using laboratory results and operational data.
• Explain sludge treatment, equipment maintenance, and preventive inspection.
• Identify workplace hazards and apply appropriate safety controls.
• Use operational records and performance indicators to support decision-making and continuous improvement.

Category 

Technical / Operational

Targeted Audience

• Wastewater treatment plant experts, supervisors, operators, and technicians.
• Water quality specialists.
• Municipal and industrial wastewater managers.