DMACC's Water Environmental Technology degrees and certifications have been designed for students interested in the environment, ecology and/or engineering, and who have a passion for discovery.
With a coming wave of retirements in this industry, plus the introduction of new technology and greater demand for technicians, jobs in the water industry are expected to grow at a steady pace. In fact, employment of wastewater treatment technicians is projected to increase 20 percent by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median salary of wastewater treatment operators is more than $40,000 a year. Responsibilities include:
- Operate and maintain equipment
- Calculate chemical dosages to adjust chemicals and pH
- Monitor meters and gauges
- Take test samples and evaluate results
Successful Students, Prepared Graduates, In-Demand Professionals
A DMACC Water Environmental Technology degree prepares you for employment in a number of locations and facilities:
- Municipal water utilities (Iowa alone has more than 1,000 water municipalities)
- Municipal wastewater treatment plants
- Rural water systems
- Industrial waste treatment facilities
- Privately owned water/wastewater plants
Diverse Careers
Water careers fall into three major categories:
Operations
Skilled workers monitor and control the processes, perform maintenance and repairs, and report results.
Engineering
Industry professionals design important water and wastewater projects; recommend locations, size and expansions; and develop operation processes. These engineers include electrical, chemical, mechanical, sanitary, environmental and structural. Students interested in this track should consider DMACC's outstanding pre-Engineering program, offered at DMACC Ankeny, Boone and Urban Campuses.
Research
Researchers gather and analyze data from lakes, rivers, oceans and aquifers. They also support university and government projects to develop improved water management practices.
