Program Highlights
Pipes. Storage. Microbes. Runoff. Stream protection. Treatment. Erosion. There’s a lot more to Water Engineering Technology than you think.
OC's Water Engineering Technology Diploma is a Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) nationally accredited program at the technologist level.
Tuition and Fees
2021-22: $12,469.05 (Total for the two year program)
- Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
- All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
- International students will pay International tuition fees
Program Details
This Program is a unique blend of traditional chemical and civil engineering technology combined with innovative water-focused environmental studies. The goals of the program are to educate, train and equip students so they are able to play a leading role in the water industry - both in Canada and internationally - to monitor, assess and protect both public health and water in the environment.
All students complete a common first year curriculum during which they receive a strong foundation of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, water and wastewater treatment, along with water-focused biology and chemistry. During the second year students can choose between two options: Environmental Monitoring (EM) and Water and Wastewater Technology (WWT).
- The EM option focuses on natural waters with training provided in surface and groundwater hydrology, limnology, statistics and freshwater biology.
- The WWT option focuses on domestic water treatment, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, hydraulics, and industrial computer control.
Both options also provide further training in water microbiology along with environmental and analytical chemistry. All students are expected to complete a capstone technology project where emphasis will be on application of theoretical and practical experience gained in the program.
Graduates will receive a diploma in Water Engineering Technology in one of the options listed above.
On graduation, there will be a wide choice of career opportunities which include: laboratory technologist, provincial or federal monitoring technologist, municipal water quality technologist, environmental engineering technologist and water or wastewater treatment plant operator.
The Program is nationally accredited by the Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) and is recognized by both the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia and the College of Applied Biology of British Columbia. Graduates are eligible for registration as an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) and/or a Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech) after two years of related work experience.
Graduates are also eligible to write certification exams administered by the Environmental Operators Certificate Program (EOCP) of B.C. Based on the practical hands on experience obtained in the WET Program, graduates are awarded six months credit towards the required work experience necessary to be eligible to write one of the EOCP Level l Examinations.
After graduating with a Diploma in Water Engineering Technology, students who wish to obtain a Bachelor Degree can continue with their education. Please refer to the Water Engineering Technology department website for a complete list of the universities and their degree programs.
Water Engineering Technology has two primary fields of specialty:
- Environmental monitoring focuses on natural waters, including training in surface and groundwater flows, freshwater biology and statistics. Okanagan Lake provides the perfect outdoor laboratory for applied field work.
- Water and wastewater treatment focuses on the processes involved in providing a safe drinking water supply and reliable wastewater management, including municipal and industrial treatment, hydraulic systems and industrial computer controls.
Graduates are qualified to become Operators under the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP). With the right post-graduation work experience, graduates can also register as an Applied Science Technologist (AScT) and/or a Registered Biology Technologist (RBTech).
Employment that graduates often seek:
- Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
- Federal/Provincial Water Monitoring Technologist
- Water, Fuels and Environmental Technician (see Canadian Forces)
- Water Quality Technologist
- Environmental Engineering Technologist
- Laboratory Technologist
Learn more about careers in water engineering through the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.
The academic transfer options for OC's Water Engineering Technology students are:
- British Columbia Institute of Technology: Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Restoration and Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health.
- Royal Roads University: Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
- Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Technology in Trades and Technology Leadership.
- Athabasca University: Bachelor of Science in a variety of disciplines.
- University of Lethbridge: Environmental Science Bachelor (pending)
Admission Requirements
B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
Math requirement:
A minimum of 60% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 12
- Principles of Mathematics 12
- Applications of Mathematics 12
- Adult Basic Education MATH 012
- Okanagan College MATH 120
Or a minimum of 67% in any of:
- Pre-calculus Grade 11
- Principles of Mathematics 11
- Adult Basic Education MATH 011
Or a minimum of 85% in an Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Test
Chemistry 11 with a grade of 67% or better.
The Water Engineering Technology program stresses the use of computers in solving engineering problems. It is recommended that students entering the program have a working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation tools software. An introductory course in computers or computer experience is strongly recommended.
Mature Students: Applicants who do not have secondary school graduation may apply as a mature student provided they are at least 19 years of age and have not attended secondary school on a full-time basis for a year or more. Mature students must complete specific entrance requirements that apply to regular applicants.
Program Outline
First Year - All Options
Semester One
CHEM 118 Introductory Chemistry for Water Engineering Technology
CMNS 137 Technical Writing & Communications for WET
MATH 128* Mathematics for Water Engineering Technology
or MATH 120 Pre-Calculus
WET 111 Applied Hydrology
WET 112 Water Quality and Treatment Processes
WET 115 Basic Instrumentation
Semester Two
BIOL 175 Environmental Biology
CHEM 128 Water Chemistry
WET 121 Introduction to Water and Wastewater Management
WET 122 Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection I
WET 123 Instrumentation
WET 125 Operations, Planning and Maintenance for WET
WET 100 Surveying
WET 120 Chlorine Handling and Disinfection Technologies
WET 101 Co-op Work Term I (May - August) 4 months
WET 102 Co-op Work Term II (September - December) 4 months
*MATH 128 is the preferred math course and students will be block enrolled in MATH 128 during their first semester.
Second Year - Water and Wastewater Technology Option
Semester Three
BIOL 278 Microbiology of Water and Wastewater
WET 215 Applied Process Analysis for WET
CHEM 218 Applications of Environmental Chemistry
WET 219 Applied Water Law
WET 211 Wastewater Treatment
WET 214 Water Treatment
WET 103 Co-op Work Term III (May - August) 4 months
Semester Four
WET 202 Wet Capstone Project
WET 222 Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection II
WET 225 Computer Applications for WET
WET 227 Process Control for WET
WET 226 Advanced Treatment Technologies
CHEM 225 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry for WET
Second Year - Environmental Monitoring Option
Semester Three
BIOL 278 Microbiology of Water and Wastewater
CHEM 218 Applications of Environmental Chemistry
STAT 121 Elementary Statistics
WET 201 Applied Hydrogeology
WET 219 Applied Water Law
WET 214 Water Treatment
WET 103 Co-op Work Term III (May - August) 4 months
Semester Four
BIOL 275 Freshwater Plants and Animals
BIOL 279 Limnological Methods
CHEM 225 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry for WET
WET 202 Wet Capstone Project
WET 225 Computer Applications for WET
WET 226 Advanced Treatment Technologies
Successful completion of the prescribed courses as listed in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 60%.
Additional Information
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