The Department of Environmental Protection this week announced it has launched EarthWise Academy, an online training and information center for certified water and wastewater system operators.

Under the Water and Wastewater Systems Operators Act, all certified operators are required to take continuing education courses. The EarthWise Academy allows operators to register and take courses online through a special catalog and maintain their personal educational transcripts.

Ten courses are currently available covering all aspects of the Disinfectants/ Disinfection Byproducts Rule, water filtration, coagulation and biosolids.

Topics under development include the Total Coliform Rule, the Lead and Copper Rule, Radionuclides Rule, jar testing, biological nutrient removal and more courses on the DBP rule and biosolids.

Course length ranges anywhere from about one hour to four hours, and the cost is $30 per contact hour.

All certified water and wastewater operators automatically have an account in EarthWise Academy. They simply have to follow the on-screen instructions to view continuing education transcripts or to enroll in a DEP web-based course.

Individuals other than certified operators may take a DEP web-based course, but currently the number of EarthWise Academy accounts is limited. Anyone other than certified operators will have to contact DEP to request an account.

For more information, EarthWise Academy online or contact Barry Greenawald at 717-772-4018.

NewsClip: DEP Introduces EarthWise Online Training Academy

7/15/2005