On May 20, Auburn Rotary’s featured program highlighted an essential but often unseen part of community life: the trained professionals who help keep our drinking water safe and reliable.

Our speakers, Eric Shea and Rachel Neville, shared information about Drinking Water Certification & Operator Training through Green River College’s Washington Environmental Training Center and Washington Certification Services.

Green River College’s Water Supply and Wastewater Technology programs prepare students for entry-level jobs that help protect public health and the environment. Graduates are trained for careers with cities, counties, federal agencies, utilities, and industry organizations that operate and maintain drinking water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment systems. The college notes that these professionals make daily decisions that affect public health and the environment.

The Water Supply Technology, AAS degree prepares graduates for positions in municipal drinking water distribution and treatment facilities. With appropriate operating experience, the degree also provides a foundation for positions with responsibilities beyond the entry level. The program is 90 credits and is offered through Green River’s main campus and Auburn Center.

Students may also pursue a Water Distribution Technology Certificate, which prepares graduates for entry-level positions operating and maintaining public drinking water distribution systems. Certificate programs may be completed in as few as three quarters, while associate degrees may be completed in approximately eight quarters, or two years.

Washington Certification Services, located at Green River College in Auburn, partners with the Washington State Department of Health to support waterworks operator certification, certification renewal, professional growth requirements, and training accreditation. Their work helps drinking water operators meet state requirements, advance in their careers, and protect the health of Washington residents.

This program gave Rotary members a closer look at the training, certification, and career pathways behind one of the most important public services in every community: safe drinking water.