Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Environmental Technology

Environmental Technology

Folsom Lake College offers courses and/or programs in environmental technology (ENVT) in two areas:

Environmental Technology

Folsom Lake College offers courses to provide foundational content to students interested in environmental protection, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and workplace safety and health applications. Students pursuing study in environmental technology, environmental studies, sustainability, natural resources, and related fields may continue their studies at other two- or four-year institutions. Students completing degrees in these and related disciplines may be employed by businesses and governmental agencies that require a knowledge of techniques for storage, treatment, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials; a basic understanding of the chemical and biological phenomena which underlie environmental protection; and an understanding of environmental health and safety. Technicians may be employed in remediation, monitoring, compliance, or environmental information applications.

Water/Wastewater Management

Folsom Lake College offers courses to prepare students in competency areas to enter the field or to enhance existing abilities of individuals already employed in the field seeking to advance in Certified Operator Grade Level. Students may seek employment by private and municipal wastewater treatment facilities or industrial treatment plants. Careers in water/wastewater technology generally involve the administration, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of water/wastewater treatment facilities as well as sewer collection systems. Significant opportunities also exist in raw water distribution, recycled water production, desalination, advanced treatment of wastewater for indirect and direct potable use, water storage and distribution, water conservation, and enhancing the energy efficiency of wastewater treatment facilities.

Certificates Offered

Water/Wastewater Management Certificate

Division Dean Dr. Lorena Navarro
Department Chair Jason Pittman
Phone (916) 608-6615
Email navarrl@flc.losrios.edu

Certificate of Achievement

Water/Wastewater Management Certificate

This program is designed to meet competency areas for students interested in entering the field of Water and Wastewater Management, and to enhance the knowledge and abilities of an individual already employed in the field.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
BUSTEC 305	Introduction to Business Information Technology	3
ENVT 351	Math for Water and Wastewater Operators	3
ENVT 353	Science for Water and Wastewater Operators	4
ENVT 354	Waste Water Management: Basic Instrumentation and Electrical Controls	4
ENVT 355	Introduction to Water, Wastewater and Recycled Water Management	3
ENVT 380	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations I	3
ENVT 381	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations II	3
ENVT 382	Water and Wastewater System Regulations and Management	3
ENVT 383	Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems	3
Total Units:		29

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

review the history and importance of community water and wastewater systems, their social benefits, common operational challenges, and how they support and promote the welfare of all modern societies.
evaluate water and wastewater system regulations (federal and state), water pollution control and safe drinking water laws, environmental economics that influence pollution control strategies, the importance of environmental stewardship, application of scientific concepts in water/wastewater management, and other factors that influence programs that protect public health and the environment.
examine common water and wastewater treatment processes and principles, including fundamental physical, chemical, and biologic treatment processes common in the proper operation of water and wastewater facilities.
evaluate hydraulic and fluid dynamic principles of water, and application of these principles to wastewater collection and water distribution systems.
use, define, and apply industry terminology, nomenclature, and common water and wastewater treatment technical terms to classify, compare, and differentiate water and wastewater processes.
formulate mathematical models and equations to analyze, plan, evaluate, manage, troubleshoot, correct, and predict water and wastewater system processes.
assess professional and ethical responsibilities of a water/wastewater treatment practitioner as it relates to the principle objectives of public and environmental health.
explain occupational health and safety protocols to address risks encountered in water/wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, water distribution, and water recycling operations.
apply personal safety practices which demonstrate an understanding of personal safety practices in the water, wastewater and recycled water industries.
seek employment in the water and wastewater industries in the region.

Career Information

Students with certificates in Water/Wastewater Management are prepared to acquire professional licenses as required for employment in the field, and perform the duties of water and wastewater operators. Career opportunities are numerous, in both private and public agency settings, as most all communities have water and wastewater facilities that require individuals with specialized training to oversee their operations and management.

Environmental Technology (ENVT) Courses

ENVT 351 Math for Water and Wastewater Operators

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENVT 355
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to quantitative analysis of wastewater and water processes. Topics covered include general math, including significant figures and proper rounding, applicable algebraic and geometry equations, unit analysis, volumes, flows, pressures, conversions, solution strengths, and applicable laboratory and chemistry equations used in water and wastewater treatment operations.

ENVT 353 Science for Water and Wastewater Operators

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:ENVT 351 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory:ENVT 355
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course will cover three topic areas, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as they apply to operation, maintenance, and management of water and wastewater facilities. The course is intended to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the sciences underlying studies of water and wastewater conveyance and treatment. Field trips may be required.

ENVT 354 Waste Water Management: Basic Instrumentation and Electrical Controls

Units:4
Hours:54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:ENVT 351
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is an introduction to power and electrical circuits, induction motors, electromagnetic concepts, and various devices used to control and measure flow, pressure, depth, chemical feed, and other operating parameters associated with water and wastewater distribution and treatment systems. Field trips may be required.

ENVT 355 Introduction to Water, Wastewater and Recycled Water Management

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an introduction to water, wastewater and recycled water management. Topics covered include management of public and private utilities, the history of water supply, water and treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and recycling water in the world and in the United States; water rights in California, environmental economics related to pollution, and an overview of the State and federal regulations governing water supply, wastewater treatment and recycled water use, including permitting requirements and operator certification program. Field trips will be required.

ENVT 380 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations I

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:ENVT 351
Advisory:ENVT 355
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides the knowledge in water and wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance to prepare the student for their T-1 certification. Topics covered include responsibilities of the plant operator, preliminary treatment systems including racks, screens, grit removal, comminutors, sedimentation, clarification, flotation, biological treatment processes, activated sludge, chemical treatment processes, filtration, disinfection and chlorination. No cost field trips and/or a semester project may be required.

ENVT 381 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations II

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:ENVT 380 with a grade of "C" or better
Corequisite:ENVT 353
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an advanced level of understanding of treatment operations and maintenance. Topics covered include industrial wastes, activated sludge, sludge digestion, membrane treatment systems, ion exchange treatment systems, activated carbon treatment systems, solids and backwash water handling, microbial identification and life-cycles, effluent disposal, plant safety and good housekeeping, maintenance, basic laboratory procedures. No cost field trips may be required.

ENVT 382 Water and Wastewater System Regulations and Management

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:ENVT 355
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an understanding of existing and emerging concerns in the water and wastewater fields, including conservation, recycled water, groundwater basin management, source water protection, energy and water, asset management and mapping programs, and challenges on the horizon, such as emerging contaminants, regulations, and impacts of climate change.

ENVT 383 Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Corequisite:ENVT 351
Advisory:ENVT 355
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides an understanding of water distribution and wastewater collection systems operation and maintenance. Topics covered include: design criteria, storage, pumping, construction methods, system testing, control of water quality in a water distribution system, federal and state regulations pertaining to potable and non-potable supplies, maintenance and administration of a distribution and collection system. This course prepares students for state distribution and CWA collection operator exams. Field trips may be required.

ENVT 495 Independent Studies in Environmental Technology

Units:1 - 3
Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

ENVT 498 Work Experience in Environmental Technology

Units:0.5 - 4
Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
Prerequisite:None.
Enrollment Limitation:Student must be in a paid or non-paid internship, volunteer opportunity, or job related to career interests.
Transferable:CSU
General Education:Local GE L7B
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within the field of Environmental Technology. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completing required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the semester, the student is required to attend orientation. Students must complete 27 hours of related paid or unpaid work experience for .5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional .5 unit. The course may be taken for a maximum of 16 units. Students should have access to a computer, the Internet, and some computer media such as a USB drive to store data files. Online students must have an email account. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

ENVT 499 Experimental Offering in Environmental Technology

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.