Description: This class provides an overview of wastewater collection system operation and maintenance, covering the duties and tasks of wastewater collection system operators. The purpose of wastewater collection systems is to safely convey waste streams from homes and businesses to the wastewater treatment plant, however as systems age breakdowns and blockages can lead to overflows and discharges which can threaten public and environmental health. In addition to routine operation and maintenance, Wastewater Collections System Operators must have the knowledge and resources necessary to detect and prevent problems in order to keep the system functioning properly and prevent compliance violations. In addition, operators should have the necessary tools and ability to safely inspect, repair, and evaluate the condition of collection system assets to prevent outages and create long-term plans for future repair and rehabilitation.

Please Note: This is a two-day workshop taking place from 1:00pm-3:30pm (ET) on both December 2 & 3, 2026.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the main components of wastewater collection systems and describe key design features used to determine slope and sizing of collection mains.
• Describe core daily operator duties including monitoring, recording flows, conducting inspections, making repairs, installing connections, cleaning, and safety.
• Explain how operators can prepare for, mitigate, and respond to emergency situations.
• Apply condition assessment and asset management principles to create short and long term plans for repair and rehabilitation of collection system assets.

CEUs:

• (ID) This course qualifies for 4.5 hours of wastewater continuing education credit in Idaho. Attendees must self-submit their Certificate of Attendance to the Idaho DOPL.
• (IN) Indiana Department of Environmental Management has approved this course for 5.0 Technical contact hours. (Approval Number: WWT-26-2328-T05-G00)
• (MI) Michigan EGLE has approved this training for 0.4 Technical CECs for wastewater operators. (Course: MWW00030306)
• (WI) The Wisconsin DNR has approved this training for 4.5 hours of Wastewater CECs. (Training Approval ID: 2jvn-gjnv)

Presenters: Daryl Gotham, PE, Senior Research Engineer and John Butler, PE, Research Engineer II, Great Lakes Environmental Infrastructure Center

Who Should Attend:

• Managers, owners, and operators of wastewater systems with an average daily flow of less than 1 million gallons
• Decision-makers for wastewater utilities, including mayors, finance officers, utility managers, public works directors, city councilors, board members, tribal council members, and clerks
• Consultants and technical assistance providers serving wastewater systems

Partner: