Build Operator Knowledge
Build the foundation needed for certification success with resources developed specifically for water and wastewater operators. Plus, find opportunities to earn certificates of completion, discover eLearning, and continue your education journey.
Build Operator Knowledge
Browse eLearning Courses
Learn anytime, anywhere with AWWA’s Operator Academy eLearning courses that let you study comfortably from your own space, on a schedule that suits you.
These courses offer best practice tools, methods, and guidance for water operators. Content considers Water Professionals International (WPI) Need-to-Know Criteria.
Our Water World: Introduction to Water (EL11)
1 hour self-paced
Explore the essential concepts and practices of water treatment, with a focus on the critical role it plays in safeguarding public health and supporting sustainable communities.
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The Water Cycle for Operators (EL12)
0.5 hour self-paced
Gain a foundational understanding of water’s movement through the environment and how human activity influences that cycle as this course covers the hydrologic cycle and its impacts on natural and man-made systems.
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Iron and Manganese Removal in Water Treatment (EL23)
1 hour self-paced
Understand the occurrence, removal strategies, and operational considerations for maintaining regulatory compliance and public satisfaction in the face of the common nuisance metals.
Groundwater and Wells (EL31)
2 hours self-paced
Learn about the fundamentals of groundwater and wells for water utility operators including, aquifer types, groundwater recharge, well constructions, hydraulic concepts, regulatory frameworks, emerging issues, and more.
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Pretreatment Essentials (EL41)
2 hours self-paced
Understand the foundations of pretreatment processes in drinking water systems, including operational considerations, chemical safety, and strategies for adapting pretreatment to changing source water conditions.
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Coagulation and Flocculation for Water Operators (EL42)
2 hours self-paced
Learn to operate coagulation and flocculation processes in conventional surface water treatment.
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Sedimentation and Clarifiers (EL43)
1 hour self-paced
Learn about clarifier types, operational best practices, process control, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
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Conventional Filtration Essentials (EL44)
2 hours self-paced
Discover the principles and operation of conventional filtration in surface water treatment.
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Disinfection Basics (EL45)
1 hour self-paced
Explore the basics of drinking water disinfection starting with the waterborne pathogens typically encountered in source waters, explaining the complexities of water chemistry and metrics for measuring disinfection success.
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Advanced Water Treatment (EL46)
1 hour self-paced
Learn the purpose, basic operation, monitoring requirements, and troubleshooting strategies for advanced drinking water treatment processes, such as membrane filtration, activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, and advanced oxidation are covered.
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Drinking Water Treatment Processes eLearning Series (EL40)
Explore this six-course series!
Learn about water from source to distribution and the key processes involved in treating water for delivery to a community, learning operational processes and procedures, the larger treatment strategy, and how to troubleshoot.
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Certificates of Completion & CE Credits
Need professional development hours? AWWA provides certificates of completion for most eLearning courses, and many states and provinces will accept AWWA eLearning courses for continuing education.
Please note that although AWWA provides a Certificate of Completion upon successful finalization of all course requirements, this does not automatically imply that your state agency will award you CEUs. It is the individual’s responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing agency before registering for any education program.
Explore AWWA Programs Approved in Your State
