Water & Wastewater
"It has been estimated that almost 50% of today's water and wastewater operators will retire within the next five to seven years. They'll need to be replaced." - The American Water Works Association
Water and Wastewater operators serve their neighbors by protecting public health. They are the first line of defense against waterborne diseases, and our guardians of water quality. SUNY Ulster’s training programs satisfy the necessary requirements dictated by the NYS Department of Health for Grades A, B, C, and D Water Treatment Plant Operators, as well as the education needed to work in a Wastewater Treatment facility as an approved training provider by the Department of Environmental Conservation. SUNY Ulster also provides continuing education training for certified Water/Wastewater operators. Water courses are approved by the NY State Department of Health for pre-certification training. Under Part 5 of the NY Sanitary Code, all NY State Grades A, B, C, and D Water Treatment Plant Operators are required to complete an approved training program as a prerequisite to becoming certified.
Course Offerings
Activated Sludge
Required for candidates applying for certification for an activated sludge or “A” facility. Developed to instruct how to efficiently operate the activated sludge portion of a wastewater treatment plant. Control strategies and application of laboratory data are presented. Safety and regulatory recordkeeping are emphasized.
Students are required to have Operations of Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume I (ISBN: 978-0-13-568400-9). NOTE: For students enrolled in Basic Wastewater Operations Lecture, this book is included. Optional but highly recommended: Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I - or - Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals I: Chapter 8 Activated Sludge
Register PSP 1503 CRN 60073 M/W 5/20-6/24 6-9pm $645 Remote
No class on 5/25
Basic Wastewater Operations
Designed to train operators in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing the use of safe practices and procedures. Information presented includes the role and responsibilities of a treatment plant operator, an explanation of why wastes must be treated, and detailed descriptions of the equipment and processes used in a wastewater treatment plant. Textbooks Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Vol 1 & 2 are included with this class.
Register PSP 1502 CRN 60072 M/W 2/25-5/18 6-9:15pm $1050 Remote
Basic Wastewater Operation Lab
Designed to give students an introduction to wastewater laboratory including chemical nomenclature; laboratory safety; description of glassware, chemicals, lab equipment, and instrumentation; quality assurance, flow measurement and sampling.
Required textbooks: Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Vol 1 (ISBN: 978-0-13-587898-9) & Vol 2 (ISBN: 978-0-13-786554-3). NOTE: For those enrolled in Basic Wastewater Operations class, this book will be mailed prior to the start of the Basic Wastewater Operations Lab class. For those not enrolled in the Basic Wastewater Operations class, these books must be purchased by the student.
Register PSP 1501 CRN 30057 M/W 1/12-2/23 6-9:15pm $645 Remote
No class on 1/19, 2/16
Textbook purchase instructions for those who are NOT enrolled in Basic Wastewater Operation (PSP1502): After clicking the "Register" button above for the course, choose "Add more courses" from the registration page and type in "1010" in the Course Number field to find Volume 1, choose "Add more courses" again and search for "1011" to find Volume 2. All three will be added to your cart for checkout and the books will be mailed to the address you provide during registration. If you have any questions, contact our registration team at: cereg@sunyulster.edu or 845-339-2025.
Grade A Water Treatment
Topics in this course include operator qualifications and responsibilities, water quality control, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, pH and alkalinity adjustment, iron and manganese removal, water softening and chlorination, bacteriological laboratory techniques, emergency planning, safety, hydraulics and pumps, process calculations and distribution system operation and maintenance. Textbooks are included with the course. This course will require an in-person practical lab. NOTE: There is a $200 non-refundable fee for all course enrollments.
Register PSP 1500 CRN 90088 M/W 8/11-11/17 6-9:15pm $1746 Remote
No class on 9/1 & 10/13
Grade B Water Treatment
This course is designed for operators of plants providing treatment for disinfection by chlorination, iron and manganese removal, corrosion control, emergency planning, safety, hydraulics and pumps, and process calculations are covered. Textbooks are included with the course. This course will require an in-person practical lab. NOTE: There is a $200 non-refundable fee for all course enrollments.
Register PSP 1504 CRN 90089 M/W 8/11-11/17 6-9:15pm $1345 Remote
No class on 9/1 & 10/13
Grade C Water Operator
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic background in the principles and practices of water treatment.
Spring 2026 - Email us at cereg@sunyulster.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Grade D Water Operator
This course of study is designed for operators of distribution systems serving greater than 1,000 people. Topics include pressure zones, booster stations, storage tanks, fire protection and disinfection. Textbook is included with registration.
Spring 2026 - Email us at cereg@sunyulster.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Grade 3 Technical Module
This course meets NYS Department of Environmental Conservation requirements for those persons desiring Grade 3 or higher certification that have previously completed NYSDEC approved Supervision course. It is designed to help operators improve technical skills. Technical module topics include Odor Control and Nutrient Removal, Toxics, and multi-media.
PSP 1512 - Email us at cereg@sunyulster.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Grade 3 Supervision and Technical Operations
This 30 hour course meets NYS Department of Environmental Conservation requirements for those persons desiring Grade 3 or higher certification. The course is designed to help operators improve supervision skills and management skills. This course includes problem solving and decision making skills, communication and training skills, planning and organizational skills as well as health and safety issues and requirements.
This course includes the textbook, Manage for Success.
PSP 1006 - Email us at cereg@sunyulster.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Grade 4 Management
To prepare Operators seeking their Grade 4A License to manage capital projects from concept to completion including grant writing, energy efficiency, adherence to regulations, community relations, budgets and contract management.
This course includes the textbook, Manage for Success: Effective Utility Leadership Practices 1st Edition.
Email us at cereg@sunyulster.edu to be added to the waitlist.
Math for Water Operators
This is a self-paced, asynchronous (online only) course that covers the basic mathematical skills required of individuals working in the water treatment field. An instructor is available for general questions during the dates of the course and will contact registered students with instructions for accessing the online learning modules.
Certificate of Completion
Students who achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher can generate a Certificate of
Completion from the Course Progress page within the EducateWorkforce LMS.
Register DCB 1735 CRN 60071 Open enrollment from 10/10-08/31 $129 Online
