Best institutions to study Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using water storage, waterpower, and wastewater treatment systems.
56 U.S. institutions graduated 860 Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.0506, a specialization of Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05), and leads most directly to the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators occupation (BLS SOC 51-8031).
About Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using water storage, waterpower, and wastewater treatment systems. Includes instruction in water storage, power and/or treatment systems and equipment; testing and inspection procedures; system maintenance procedures; and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in developing and managing water storage, power, and wastewater treatment systems. This program is ideal for those interested in environmental control technologies and seeking a career that contributes to public health and safety through effective water management practices.
Students in this program gain essential skills in monitoring, testing, and maintaining water and wastewater systems. Coursework covers topics such as water chemistry, equipment operation, and safety protocols, ensuring graduates are equipped to handle real-world challenges in water quality management.
Credentials awarded
What Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year442 graduates / yr · 31 institutions51%
- Associate's degree275 graduates / yr · 36 institutions32%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years127 graduates / yr · 19 institutions15%
- Award of less than 12 weeks11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.3%
- Bachelor's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 802 |
| 2013 | 807 |
| 2014 | 934 |
| 2015 | 870 |
| 2016 | 884 |
| 2017 | 836 |
| 2018 | 979 |
| 2019 | 1,594 |
| 2020 | 795 |
| 2021 | 1,038 |
| 2022 | 800 |
| 2023 | 820 |
| 2024 | 905 |
| 2025 | 860 |
Top 50 institutions for Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santiago Canyon College Orange, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 79 | 48% | — | — |
| 2 | Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 75 | 60% | — | — |
| 3 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 61 | 39% | — | — |
| 4 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 38% | — | — |
| 5 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 47 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | Clackamas Community College Oregon City, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 23% | — | — |
| 7 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 35% | — | — |
| 8 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 39 | 45% | — | — |
| 9 | Citrus College Glendora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 41% | — | — |
| 10 | Burlington County Institute of Technology - Adult Education Westampton, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 84% | — | — |
| 11 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 24 | 29% | — | — |
| 12 | Columbia College Sonora, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 27% | — | — |
| 13 | Ventura College Ventura, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 38% | — | — |
| 14 | Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 41% | — | — |
| 15 | Mt San Jacinto Community College District San Jacinto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 36% | — | — |
| 16 | Gavilan College Gilroy, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 42% | — | — |
| 17 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 28% | — | — |
| 18 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 24% | — | — |
| 19 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 25% | — | — |
| 20 | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 21 | Solano Community College Fairfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 36% | — | — |
| 22 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, COPublicAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 13 | 32% | — | — |
| 23 | Imperial Valley College Imperial, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 45% | — | — |
| 24 | Emily Griffith Technical College Denver, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 97% | — | — |
| 25 | Los Angeles Trade Technical College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 10 | 35% | — | $43,340 |
| 26 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 71% | — | — |
| 27 | Fort Scott Community College Fort Scott, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 35% | — | — |
| 28 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAssociate's | 7 | 43% | — | — |
| 29 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 45% | — | — |
| 30 | St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 45% | — | — |
| 31 | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 6 | 23% | — | — |
| 32 | Bay de Noc Community College Escanaba, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 30% | — | — |
| 33 | Polytech Adult Education Woodside, DEPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 5 | 70% | — | — |
| 34 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 23% | — | — |
| 35 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, IDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 33% | — | — |
| 36 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAssociate's | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 37 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 3 | 51% | — | — |
| 38 | Northern Maine Community College Presque Isle, MEPublicAssociate's | 3 | 42% | — | — |
| 39 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 47% | — | — |
| 40 | Hocking College Nelsonville, OHPublicAssociate's | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 41 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAssociate's | 3 | 31% | — | — |
| 42 | Folsom Lake College Folsom, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 44% | — | — |
| 43 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 21% | — | — |
| 44 | Berkshire Community College Pittsfield, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 20% | — | — |
| 45 | Minnesota North College Hibbing, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 46 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 19% | — | — |
| 47 | Umpqua Community College Roseburg, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 48 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 32% | — | — |
| 49 | Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 39% | — | — |
| 50 | College of the Sequoias Visalia, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 39% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 27 states
Where Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-8031, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators, among other roles. Despite a projected decline of 6.5% in job growth, there are approximately 10,700 annual openings in the field, with a median wage of $58,260. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.0506
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorsprimary SOC 51-8031 | $60,020 | -6.5% Decline | ~10,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health SOC 19-4042 | $55,090 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Associate's degree |
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians SOC 17-3025 | $59,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~1,100 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Collect and test water and sewage samples, using test equipment and color analysis standards.
- Operate and adjust controls on equipment to purify and clarify water, process or dispose of sewage, and generate power.
- Record operational data, personnel attendance, or meter and gauge readings on specified forms.
- Add chemicals, such as ammonia, chlorine, or lime, to disinfect and deodorize water and other liquids.
- Inspect equipment or monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges to determine load requirements and detect malfunctions.
- Direct and coordinate plant workers engaged in routine operations and maintenance activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05).
- HeatingCIP 15.050111,417 graduates / yr179 institutions
- Environmental/CIP 15.0507
Environmental Engineering Technology/ Technician 254 graduates / yr32 institutions - Environmental Control Technologies/CIP 15.0599
Technicians 120 graduates / yr13 institutions - Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/CIP 15.0508
Technician 118 graduates / yr14 institutions
See all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program offers various awards, including those lasting at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and active learning, among others.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or in related environmental technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 6.5%, but there are still around 10,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician?+
Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician is CIP 15.0506 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using water storage, waterpower, and wastewater treatment systems. Includes instruction in water storage, power and/or treatment systems and equipment; testing and inspection procedures; system maintenance procedures; and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician programs?+
56 U.S. institutions reported Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 860 credentials in the year. That is 6.7% of all Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators occupation, which Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $43,340 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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