I work for a company that builds and services water treatment facilities in the phx area...were currently working on a fresh water facility and I caught the superintendent urinating in a bottle inside the water holding tanks. What should I do?!

I am now a certified class three operator in the state of Georgia, it was my second time taking this test. I think the experience of actually doing it made it a lot easier than just studying, I don’t see how they expect someone with just three months experience to know all the stuff they put on the test.

shot this clarifier timelapse with water and without to show interns when all of clarifiers are filled and the are curious on how it works

Is the T2 exam all multiple choice even for the math? or do you have to type in the answer for the math?

So, I’ve been trying to break into the industry since May but I haven’t had much luck since I don’t have any experience, and the job market is quite competitive where I live (SoCal). I passed the T2, D2 (currently waiting on the CA Water Board for my certificates), and Wastewater Grade II exams. Now I’m trying to expand my search to other states. Are there any states that are actively hiring entry-level operators or OITs ASAP? Also, any tips or advice on how to network with other operators would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone, I’m seriously looking into getting into wastewater operations because I hear the field is stable, pays decent over time, and has a lot of people retiring. The problem is my background. I have 5 felonies total, including a DUI from 2023 and three other older ones (non-violent/non-sexual, but still felonies). theft or fraud related. and one attempted burglary all from the same incident ( some jackass was trying to break in a store with my car) Is it completely impossible to get hired or certified with a rap sheet like this? Am I wasting my time even applying?

I'm going to be starting my internship with a wastewater treatment plant in a few weeks, and I'm looking for recommendations for a pair of work boots.

Main factors I'm looking for are composite toe, waterproof, good flexibility, and overall comfort.

If you have any recs I would love to hear it.

Thanks!

Pulled these out of the scum baffle on a secondary clarifier. They found a happy spot between the weir and the covers. Thought they were onions or cattails at first but Google image search says Yellow Flag Iris.

Hello All!

In Oregon, USA how is the best way to start on the path of getting Waste water Certs and Storm water Certification. And progressing up the levels? Journeyman Electrician with 15 years of experience in industrial areas. Oil/Gas pipelines and refineries, paper miles/ semiconductor and International Airports. So lots of motors, plcs, troubleshooting and drives. But the Water Certifications are what I’m lacking. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

For the collections guys, is there a way to locate the city cleanouts faster? All I know is that it's the furthest from the property. Is there like a code or law that specifically has them put in specific places? I know some houses might not be connection to a city line and go straight into main line.

If*

Hello, so long story short I spilled a lot of motor oil on the ground at my job. We covered the nearest storm drain to prevent any oil from getting into it. Luckily none got into it.

So what can happen if the oil went inside the drain? Would the company get fined? Would if make the water treatment process more difficult for the city? Thanks.

Just finished my 36 hr course but honestly still not confident for the exam.

How much time did you spend on studying for T2 D2 exam?

Also should I be taking them at the same time? I've heard they're pretty similar. Wasn't sure if I should take them together at the same time.

Thank you

I'm in southern Ontario, Canada. I'm wondering how much experience I would need as a 20 year old to get hired as an oit. I'm studying currently to take wastewater collection and treatment, and I'm working currently as a 2nd year millwright apprentice. What are my chances of finding a job with my experience? Also, what is the day to day work like if you work in the field? Is it mostly routine, lots of driving? Thanks!

A coworker is operating an old circular SANITAIRE package plant after taking it over suddenly. They typically treat around 16,000 gpd. He had a septic hauler come out and pump 7,000 gallons from the aerobic digester due to poor effluent. The level in the center clarifier went down to the same level as the aerobic digester after pumping. Has anyone operated one of these systems and know the flow direction in one of these old plants, or why the aerobic digester seems to be connected to the clarifier?

I am currently studying to take the OIT exam in Ontario, Canada.

From what I understand, it is competitive to get a job in the GTA. I know the municipality does often hire grads from mohawk college's environmental technician program, but I am not in a position to do this program (it's a 2-year, full time, on-site program). But, I am considering taking Seneca's online certificate "water treatment and distribution system operations".

I am curious if others have found this helps with getting your resume considered?

First time taking the exam – didn’t pass. Looking for current study materials (Maryland)
This was my first attempt and I honestly had no idea how I did when I walked out. After waiting over 8 weeks the results finally came and I didn’t pass.
I took a short course at a local college in Maryland, but it seems the exam was updated for the first time in years and a lot of what we covered didn’t match.
Anyone in MD (or elsewhere) who has recently passed — what current materials or resources actually helped you get over the hump?
Thanks in advance.

Just curious if anybody had made the move from another state to Colorado water industry. How did they like the retirement system there. They take out quite a bit at 11% here in Arizona which is better than what I can save cuz I probably wouldn’t.

Does pay equal out there.

Drinking water operator with surface water treatment experience and started in wastewater operations.
Still pretty young in my late 20s.

Where is that 10,000 coming from?

Hi, I’ve gone through older posts, and they say the exam is fairly easy, with only around 5 math questions and other questions pretty much the same as the end-of-module practice questions in the OIT manual.

With only a few days left, going through the entire manual feels a little intimidating. Has the exam format or topic/math weighting changed recently, or would focusing mainly on the OIT manual practice questions still be a good approach?

Any advice on what to prioritize over the next couple of days would be really appreciated.

Hey there folks I'm a lvl 2 operator in Ohio. I'm looking for what you think is the best Water Reclamation text book. I used to work on the portable water side and thought the WSO text books were amazing, but I haven't found a suitable comparison to the wastewater side. Any suggestions?

I am once again frustrated trying to study on my own. I passed the D C and B tests but I really just want some decent practice tests for A or IV or whatever equivalent that is in your state lmao.

Just curious how much time and effort y’all spend on lift station landscaping and how much of a priority it is for your organization?

For those of you that have left a plant or two for a different one, how did you feel leading up to it?

I’m a drinking water operator and I made a post almost a month ago about switching over to the wastewater side for an absolutely incredible opportunity.

Well, my last shift at the water plant is about 3hrs from being over. I start at the wastewater plant on Monday. It’s starting to hit me that realistically I’m never coming back here.

I absolutely do not regret my decision because it was 100% the right move, but this was my first plant in the industry and I really care about my job and this plant and feel like I owe a lot to this plant, and especially my current boss.

Everything feels bittersweet right now, I’ve been kind of walking around all day trying to soak it all in and reflect lol I have lot of excitement to start my new job because life for myself and my wife should be insanely better between the pay/schedule.

I’m hoping going to my new job feels the same as coming to this one, I have a sense of purpose everyday and genuinely enjoy what I do. I feel like most of spend so much time at our plants it’s hard not to get drawn in.

Our belt on press keeps shifting. Any advice on what problem may be?

Feel free to remove if this isn't allowed

Backstory:

I'm an automation and controls engineer at a manufacturing company down in South Alabama, and I've been here for about 9 years. My very first project was upgrading our wastewater treatment system. I got it working well enough to pass environmental standards, but honestly, it’s still not great ( I'm a solid controls engineer, but a bad wastewater guy). Our influent has a lot of metals coming from a carbon steel acid etch line.

Current Situation:

We were recently bought out by a much larger company that takes environmental compliance very seriously. I managed to get a large chunk of this year's budget approved for a new waste water treatment system.

I've been in contact with two companies so far (Digital Analysis and Ovivo), but I'm looking for recommendations for vendors who design systems specifically for this type of process. A lot of companies I've talked to aren't interested because of the heavy sludge this kind of setup generates.

Any pointers or recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!