Course Summary
In collaboration with Uisce Éireann and the Local Authority Services National Training Group, this Level 6 part-time online and flexible Higher Certificate in Water & Wastewater Treatment Operations is tailored to address the increasing and demanding needs of Drinking Water and Wastewater treatment plant operations.
The programme is available to operatives in Local Authorities, Uisce Éireann and Private Sector Water organisations.
Approved Local Authority and Uisce Éireann employees will have their fees fully funded to undertake these programmes.
Stage 1 focuses on developing a greater understanding of computer applications, health and safety, flow measurement and controls, as well as law and compliance
Stage 2, the focus is on specific specialist topics in the wastewater area including preliminary, primary and secondary treatment as well as sludge treatment and plant maintenance. Advanced wastewater treatment is also included in stage 2.
Attendance Requirements
Two one day workshops will take place each semester in ATU Sligo. Attendance at the workshops will be compulsory.
Key Course Information
Programme/Course Structure
In collaboration with Uisce Éireann and the Local Authority Services National Training Group, this L6 Higher Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operations (online and on a part time basis) is tailored to address the increasing and demanding needs of Water and Wastewater treatment plant operations.
Available to operatives in Local Authorities, Uisce Éireann and Private Sector Water organisations and industry with wastewater treatment plants as part of their operations.
Approved Local Authority and Uisce Éireann employees will have their fees fully funded to undertake these programmes.
Stage 1 focuses on developing a greater understanding of computer applications, health and safety, flow measurement and controls, as well as law and compliance.
Stage 2, the focus is on specific specialist topics in the drinking water or wastewater area.
Stage 3, will focus on further water or wastewater modules and learners will also undertake a Work Based Project. The objective of this 30 credit ‘Work Based Project’ is to enable students who are work-based to acquire project management skills by undertaking a company-based project in a chosen area within their organisation. Through completion of a specific workplace project the student will develop a range of technical and transferable skills (such as project management, teamwork, oral and written communication and presentation skills), which have wide application in many working environments, and are important attributes of a technical professional.
Attendance Requirements
Two one day workshops will take place each semester in ATU Sligo. Attendance at the workshops will be compulsory.
Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025
Entry Requirements
A Level 5 qualification (e.g. leaving certificate) or equivalent is required for entry to this programme.
Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligo’s Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie.
Applications for entry to this programme are also accepted from graduates of either of the following two programmes who have completed the necessary 60 Credits in those programmes:
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be qualified to work in Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants as operators to the expected industry standard. This qualification may become the standard that the major operators in the Water Industry in Ireland will come to expect from their operators.
The treatment of Wastewater occurs in a variety of sectors. Treatment plants not only exist for the processing of public drinking water and wastewater but are located in industries such as Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Food processing forming an integral part of their manufacturing systems which is some cases are licenced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Further Study
On completion of this Higher Certificate in Water and Wastewater Treatment Operation (120 Credits) students can apply to progress to our Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management with onward progression to out Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Environmental Management
Testimonials
Did you know?
Approved Local Authority and Uisce Éireann employees will have their fees fully funded to undertake these programmes.
Many people believe that the water industry is limited to the production of the water flowing from their tap and human waste from residential and commercial sources. It is much more. Many industries in the Pharmaceutical, Agri-food and Tech Industries produce wastewater which needs to be treated and processed in a safe, environmentally friendly and efficient manner. Management of our water resources is vital in our ever-changing world.
Alumni
Programme Fees
Academic Year 2023/24 Fees
| Total Programme Fees | €8,700 |
| Year 1 | €2,400 |
| Year 2 | €2,400 |
| Year 3 | €3,900 |
To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage.
If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.
For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.
If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage.
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| ICT and Transferable Skills | 05 |
| Water and Wastewater Science Module | 05 |
| Health and Safety for Treatment Plant Operators | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Energy Management | 05 |
| Law and Compliance | 05 |
| Networks Flow Measurement and Control | 05 |
Semester 3
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Water Sources, Abstraction and Quality | 05 |
| Drinking Water Treatment | 10 |
Semester 4
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Drinking Water Sludge Treatment | 05 |
| Drinking Water Treatment Plant Maintenance | 05 |
| Advanced Drinking Water Treatment | 05 |
Semester 5
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Wastewater Sludge Treatment | 05 |
| Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance | 05 |
| Advanced Wastewater Treatment | 05 |
Semester 6
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Preliminary and Primary Wastewater Treatment | 05 |
| Wastewater Treatment | 10 |
Semester 7
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Work Based Project | 30 |