Meet The Instructor

Kenneth Robertson
Wastewater Program Coordinator/Instructor

The AETA offers Wastewater training on-campus, at locations statewide, by ZOOM, and by Internet delivery. To schedule a class at your facility, contact Kenneth Robertson at wroberts@sautech.edu or call (870) 574-4532.

WASTE WATER DIVISION Course Descriptions

Municipal Wastewater Operator Training

Class I Wastewater - this is a 24-hour training course designed to provide entry-level Wastewater Operators with the knowledge required to sit for the Municipal Class I Wastewater License exam administered by DEQ. The course is based on the DEQ Municipal Class I Needs-To-Know. Topics covered in the course include Arkansas Regulation 3, treatment plant operator, why treat waste, wastewater treatment facilities, racks, screens and grit removal, sedimentation, and floatation, activated sludge, waste treatment ponds, basic wastewater math, and disinfection.

Class II Wastewater - this is a 32-hour training course designed to provide Class I level Wastewater Operators with the knowledge required to sit for the Municipal Class II Wastewater License exam administered by DEQ. Topics covered in the course include Arkansas Regulation 3, general pretreatment regulations, physical treatment, flow measurement, mechanical treatment, activated sludge, wastewater ponds, wastewater math, wastewater operator safety, basic wastewater lab, and disinfection.

Class III Wastewater - this is a 40-hour training course designed to provide Class II level Wastewater Operators with the knowledge required to sit for the Municipal Class III Wastewater License exam administered by DEQ. Topics covered in the course include Arkansas Regulation 3, activated sludge, sludge handling, dissolved air floatation, sludge digestion, sludge dewatering, composting sludge disposal, phosphorus removal, nitrification cycle, wastewater lab, odor control, and management.

Class IV Wastewater - this is a 24-hour training course designed to provide Class III level Wastewater Operators with the knowledge required to sit for the Municipal Class IV Wastewater License exam administered by DEQ. This course was prepared using the DEQ and ABC Needs-to-Know Criteria. Topics covered in the course include evaluating incoming waste stream/sidestream characteristics, monitor, evaluating and adjusting treatment processes, evaluating and maintaining equipment, operating equipment, collecting samples and interpreting laboratory analyses, performing laboratory analyses, performing security, safety, and administrative procedures, advanced wastewater math.

Advanced Wastewater Math - this is an 8-hour training course designed to aid operators in using more complex math formulas used in the wastewater industry such as loading rates, filtration rates, F/M Ratios, BOD, SRT, and associated lab calculations.

Industrial Wastewater Operator Training

Basic Industrial Wastewater - this is a 12-hour course designed to prepare Industrial Wastewater Operators to sit for the Arkansas Basic Industrial Wastewater Exam. Topics covered in the course include car washes, sedimentation, oil and grease separation, pH adjustment, aeration ponds, or similar basic wastewater treatment processes.

Advanced Industrial Wastewater - this is a 24-hour course designed to prepare Industrial Wastewater Operators to sit for the Arkansas Advanced Industrial Wastewater Exam. Topics covered in the course include activated sludge, treatment of metal finishing waste streams, sedimentation/clarification with chemicals, dissolved air flotation, or similar advanced wastewater treatment processes. Prerequisite: Students must hold a current Arkansas Basic Industrial Wastewater Operator License to sit for the state exam.

Specialty Wastewater Training

• Advanced Activated Sludge Advanced Pump Operations & Maintenance
• Basic Pump Operations & Maintenance Basic Wastewater Laboratory
• Biological Nutrient Removal Chlorine Disinfection and Coliform Monitoring
• Chlorine Safety Extended Aeration Activated Sludge
• Water/Wastewater Operator Safety Stabilization Ponds
• Traffic Control Trenching Safety

LICENSING EXAM INFORMATION

Wastewater licensing exam applications and testing fees must be submitted to DEQ through the SEEK (5) business days prior to test date. DEQ Testing fees are in addition to any training fees and must be paid directly to DEQ Wastewater Licensing. 

For questions contact: Sarah Pierce at (501) 682-0664 or email sarah.pierce@arkansas.gov.

You may also follow this direct link for DEQ’s SEEK  https://seek.ee.arkansas.gov/ext/ncore/external/home

ACCREDITATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS

Wastewater training provided by the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy is accredited by:

• The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment; DEQ, Office of Water Quality
• Arkansas Wastewater Licensing Committee

The AETA offers Wastewater training on-campus, at locations statewide, by ZOOM, and by Internet delivery. To schedule a class at your facility, contact Kenneth Robertson at wroberts@sautech.edu or call (870) 574-4532.

Must Know

If you plan to take a Licensure Exam following a Wastewater class you must contact DEQ.

• To ensure testing eligibility, applications and fees must be received by DEQ prior to the exam.
• The Arkansas Environmental Training Academy does Not collect DEQ exam fees.
• The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment; DEQ Water Division

Wastewater Licensing Contact:  

Sarah Pierce                  Phone: (501) 682-0664                   E-Mail:  sarah.pierce@arkansas.gov