Water System Automation

The Water System Automation program is designed to prepare students for careers in the public health fields of drinking water and sanitation, as well as other fields of automation applications. This program is also designed to enable those already working in these fields to upgrade their skills.  Subjects addressed include basic principles of electricity and electric power, interpretation of ladder logic diagrams, use of measurement instruments such as multimeters and oscilloscopes, laboratory construction and troubleshooting of control circuits and programmable logic controllers, and application of these technologies in the drinking water and sanitation industries.

It is estimated that there will be approximately 25 - 35 students enrolled in each of the Water System Automation courses.  The projected number of students to earn a certificate annually is 20 to 25 students.  

This program is intended to address workforce preparation for careers in automation technologies that control drinking water and wastewater systems to facilitate compliance with public health and safety standards established by the State of California. 

Water System Automation, CA "Electronic Technology Program" Information Goals and Objectives -- The Electronic Technology program provides high-quality instruction leading to a certificate of proficiency or achievement, an associate in science degree, and/or transfer to university programs in engineering technology. The program also prepares students for employment or advancement in electronics and related industries. Courses -- The curriculum in electronic technology equips students with the skills necessary for coping with a rapidly expanding and changing technological field in the water industry. A core curriculum seeks to identify and emphasize those principles which are basic to the understanding of current and emerging technologies. In advanced courses, students learn to apply available technology to the solution of specific problems, with an emphasis on creative design and troubleshooting. The curriculum emphasizes a practical rather than an abstract mathematical understanding of electronics, focusing heavily on laboratory study, while still maintaining a level of mathematical rigor appropriate to four-year programs in engineering technology. Major -- A student majoring in Electronic Technology may choose from a number of career paths. The electronics aide certificate program equips the student for entry into the electronics industry in areas such as testing, quality assurance, customer support, production support, equipment maintenance, and other water quality, and wastewater technology related automation instrumentation.

The Water System Automation fits the mission of the college because it prepares students to learn, act, communicate, and think critically as public servants.  Santiago Canyon College already has public service related programs in CTE, such as Public Works and Water Utility Science; however, this new program will provide opportunities for students to advance in their career or start a career in water and waste utilities including water distribution.  An Associate of Science degree provides an opportunity for students to continue their education beyond a Certificate of Achievement by completing an additional 27-39 general education units. This program supports the California Community College mission in Career Technical Education (CTE) and workforce development. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ETEC 110	DC Electricity	3	Y1
ETEC 120	AC Electricity	3	Y1
ETEC 130	Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)	3	Y2
WATR-063	Electrical Wiring	3	Y2

Water and Waste Water Technology Program

Santiago Canyon College’s water programs are unique to Orange County however 5 other partner colleges have started their Automation Fundamentals Certificate programs with core courses in DC Electricity, AC Electronics, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s). These Automation based courses stack well within the unique disciplines offered at each of these colleges; Industrial Technology, Robotics, Manufacturing Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Electrical Technology, HVAC/R, Electronic Technology, and Theme Park Technology. Partner colleges included are Irvine Valley, Saddleback, Orange Coast, Fullerton, Cypress, and now Santiago Canyon. Automation has become a major driving force in the previously mentioned industries. Employers are looking to the community colleges to provide the needed foundational automation training for new hires as well as retraining incumbent workers to meet entry-level skills. The State Strong Workforce Program continues to fund the Automation Pathways Project in Orange County. They are currently working to create a Regional Automation Fundamentals Certificate that will be transferrable between the 6 partner colleges as well as be stackable within each unique discipline at the respective colleges. The next phase will be to roll this program out to other interested community colleges across the state

It is estimated that there will be approximately 25 - 35 students enrolled in each of the Water System Automation courses. The projected number of students to earn a certificate annually is 20 to 25 students.