Drinking Water Distribution

WTRD-019 Drinking Water Distribution

Hours: 37
Fee: $900; No Fee for Matriculated Massachusetts Community College Students
Instruction: Online/Distance
Course Dates: January 21-April 13, 2025
Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025

Program Description

Massachusetts Water Works Association LogoThe Workforce Development Center at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is partnering with the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) and the Springfield Water & Sewer Commission to offer this unique consortium-based online certificate training. 

There is no tuition charge for students currently enrolled at a Massachusetts Community College. Community College students must purchase the books and will be reimbursed if they successfully complete the course. All others, please see cost information below.

Using the Blackboard Learning Management System, this 12-week training will include weekly topics that will help prepare students to take the Massachusetts Drinking Water Operator Grade 2, 3 & 4 Distribution license exams. Licensure is necessary for beginning a career in the drinking water industry.  This course is approved by the MA Board of Certification of Drinking Water Operators.

Material covered includes: hydrology, source waters, basic math and chemistry, regulations, water sampling, hydraulics, distribution system components (pipes, valves, pumps, tanks, and meters), equipment operation and maintenance, safety, and administrative duties.

This is a self-paced course for those needing a flexible study schedule. Students follow a schedule of viewing instructional videos, textbook reading, group discussion topics, and quizzes. There is an online midterm exam and final exam. To pass this course students must achieve a minimum of 70 points which is achieved through: participation in the weekly “Discussion” topics, completion of assigned homework, mid-term exam, and final exam. Taking, and passing this course is a prerequisite for anyone wishing the take the Massachusetts Grades 2, 3 or 4 Distribution license examinations.

Program Details

Fee: $900.00; No Fee for Matriculated Massachusetts Community College Students
Books: $100 plus $20 shipping

Massachusetts Community College students must purchase the books and will be reimbursed if they successfully complete the course.  

Please note: If you work for a municipal water department and need to pay by purchase order, please call the Workforce Development Center at 413-755-4225.

Need help convincing your employer to help cover the cost? Try our Convince Your Boss letter template.

Sections D31 & D32

Enrolled in a community college as a matriculating student, please select course number: WTRD-019-D31 and register using your college email address. You will need to demonstrate that you are currently taking courses for this semester.

Not enrolled in a community college, please select course number WTRD-019-D32

Dates: January 21-April 13, 2025
Registration Deadline: January 3, 2025

Water Distribution Operation & Maintenance Manual 7th Edition
ISBN 978-1-323-82918-9

Students must purchase the book from Mass. Water Works Association (MWWA) by ordering online, calling 978-263-1388, or emailing adminmwwa@masswaterworks.org. Books can be picked up at the MWWA office (693 Mass. Ave., Acton, MA 01720), or shipped to the student for an additional fee of $20. Books will be shipped to the registration address provided unless otherwise requested. Shipping generally takes 10 to 14 days. Do not wait until the last minute.

Refund Policy

Withdraw prior to the start of class* - 100% Refund
No Refunds will be given once class begins

In the absence of a written third party contractual agreement stating otherwise, all refunds will be issued to the student. Credit card payments will be refunded directly to the credit card if processed within thirty days of the payment.

Course Cancellation Policy

The STCC Workforce Training office reserves the right to cancel any course that does not meet minimum enrollment requirements.

Student Handbook Policies

As a participant in this program/course I understand that I am bound by all the rules, regulations, and policies of STCC as outlined in the Springfield Technical Community College Student Handbook.

Disability-Related Accommodations

In compliance with Springfield Technical Community College's policy and equal access laws, disability-related accommodations are available. Students who desire such accommodations should provide documentation of a disability to register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). Proper registration will enable ODS counselors to verify the disability and determine reasonable academic accommodations

To view Drinking Water Distribution related careers, live job listings, and average salaries please see STCC’s Career Coach.

Daniel Laprade has a BS in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and has been working in the drinking water field for over 35 years.  He has been an instructor in the field for the last 20 years and is a Massachusetts Registered Professional Engineer and holds both Grade 2 Water Treatment and Distribution licenses in Massachusetts.

2022 Student Testimonials

Drinking Water Distribution

My instructor’s availability and quick response to emails. Weekly quizzes and exams helped myself stay on track reviewing the material with an online course. Self-paced to accomplish assignments per week was helpful when working full time.

One of my favorite parts of this course was the order that the course work followed. Everything was nicely outlined each week and was easy to find.

I liked the self-paced nature and ability to do things on your own time and take your time to re-review things.

For questions or interest in our current or future programs, please complete our Workforce Development Program Inquiry Form, and one of our Recruitment and Retention Specialists will contact you promptly. For all other questions, please use the contact below.

The STCC Workforce Development Center
Building 27, Second Floor

Enrollment Process

  1. Review the Prerequisites/Requirements above.
  2. Click the Enroll Now button below.
  3. Click "Select" to the right of the correct course. A window appears.
    1. If you are enrolled as a community college student and matriculating, please select course number WTRD-019-D31 and register using your college email address.
    2. If you are not enrolled in a community college, please select course number WTRD-019-D32
  4. Click "Add Section to Cart". A success message appears.
  5. Click "Next". The Register and Pay for Continuing Education Classes page appears.
  6. Complete the payment and check-out process.
    1. If you are enrolled in a community college, the course is free (books must be purchased), you will need to select "Visa Payment" during the check-out process (it will never ask for card information).
    2. If you are not enrolled in a community college, enter your personal and credit card information. Your receipt will be immediately emailed to you.  If you work for a municipal water department and need to pay by purchase order or need to be invoiced, please call the Workforce Development Center at 413-755-4225 where you will be registered over the phone. Please have invoicing information available when calling.
  7. Upon successful course registration, you will receive a confirmation registration email and a separate ‘Welcome” email from the course instructor that contains important course information. Please be on the lookout for these emails as they may automatically go to your spam or junk folder. 
  8. Review required materials and order textbook.

Enroll Now