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Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Calgary , Alberta ,Canada

Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations

The Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations program is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for a successful career in the water and wastewater industry.

This program, crafted by industry professionals, blends in-class theory with hands-on training to prepare you for the Alberta Water and Wastewater Operators (AWWOA) and Alberta Boiler and Safety Association (ABSA) Fourth-Class Power Engineering certifications.

As a student, you will:

learn the science behind water and wastewater treatment, including water chemistry, microbiology and the physical treatment processes necessary to meet stringent environmental safety and public health standards
complete extensive laboratory and fieldwork, allowing you to gain practical experience in the operation of treatment facilities, maintaining equipment and performing critical water quality tests
learn how to troubleshoot and understand the regulatory and environmental issues related to water and wastewater management
learn to operate and maintain boilers, steam systems, turbines, pumps, valves, plant water treatment systems, instrumentation and other plant equipment related to the water and wastewater domain.
The program often includes interaction with industry professionals and potential employers, offering networking opportunities and insights into current industry practices.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • July
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Application Process

Apply to a SAIT program
Days
Submit your anticipated final grades
Days
Submit your educational documents
Days

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Quality starts with accountability. We are innovators who dream big, aim high and do what we say we'll do — and usually more. We learn from every opportunity and create bold solutions for the future.

We're better together. Collaboration means we work as a team to explore opportunities, talk things through to get the best result and trust each other enough to challenge convention, embrace crazy ideas and reach audacious goals. Building trust and creating success as a team is the core of our organization.

People come first. Our service focus sets us apart — we deliver a transformational experience that impacts students, alumni, employees, community and industry. Maintaining a high level of service strengthens our sense of community.

Our commitment to excellence drives us. We thrive on continuous improvement — through experimentation, refining the details, and being best-in-class in the classroom, on campus and in the community. 

If our values match yours, make your mark at SAIT in a career fueled by innovation and impact.

PSW Opportunity

Eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
Graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada.
Desire to stay in Canada temporarily for work.

Important Note:
Graduating from a DLI doesn't automatically qualify you for a PGWP.

Validity of PGWP:
Depends on the length of the study program or the expiry date of your passport, whichever comes first.

Duration of PGWP Based on Study Program Length:
Less than 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials): Not eligible for PGWP.
At least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials), but less than 2 years: PGWP may be granted for the same length as the study program (e.g., a 9-month program results in a 9-month PGWP).
2 years or more: PGWP may be valid for 3 years.

Completion of Multiple Programs:
PGWP may combine the lengths of each program if:
Each program is PGWP eligible.
Each program is at least 8 months (or 900 hours for Quebec credentials) in length.

Important Restriction:
You cannot obtain a PGWP if you already had one after completing an earlier program of study.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Assessment tests
Note: SAIT does NOT accept assessment tests taken more than 12 months before you submit your application. If you are approved for an application transfer or admission deferral, you are required to provide updated test results if the one-year period has passed.
 
Table explaining the English assessment's required to enroll in state with required scores.
Assessment test Test score Program requirement
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
 
IELTS Indicator is also accepted
 
Must be the Academic IELTS Assessment
 
6.0 in each skill/category
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
5.5 in each skill/category
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2
 
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
 
CAEL Online is also accepted
 
60 overall band
 
Effective Winter 2023: 60 in each skill/category
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
50 overall band
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2
 
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
 
TOEFL Home Edition is also accepted
 
MyBest Scores are not accepted as proof of English proficiency
 
A minimum score of 20 in each category
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
A minimum score of 18 in each category
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2
 
Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment (CLBA)
 
A score of 8 in each section
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
A score of 7 in each section
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2
 
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
 
A minimum score of 53
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
Michigan English Test (MET)
 
A minimum score of 51
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
Duolingo
 
115 minimum with at least 95 in each section
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2
 
169 for each skill
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
Oxford Test of English with a Level of B2 
 
130 for each module
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
LanguageCert International ESOL
 
B2 Communicator test with High Pass with a minimum score of 33 in each skill.
 
B2 Communicator test with Pass with a minimum score of 25 in each skill.
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2
 
LanguageCert Academic
 
65 – 69 in each skill
 
60 – 64 in each skill
 
English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2
 
English Language Arts 20-1 or 20-2