Bartlett & West delivers six water and wastewater “bootcamps” in Missouri

During the summer of 2024, Bartlett & West was invited to meet with a large industry in Missouri that was considering upgrades to their wastewater pretreatment facility. During a site visit, the topic of operator training and state certification developed.

Challenge

Recognizing the need to train their operators, this industry contracted with Bartlett & West to develop and deliver a 55-hour Wastewater Training course designed to fill the need.

Solution

The course was delivered over several weeks to 10 industrial operators. In addition to lectures and a great deal of open discussion, the operators were provided with textbooks, various handouts and study suggestions. During course development, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) Operator Certification Branch reviewed and approved the agenda, which provided a pathway for the operators to prepare and qualify for a state certification exam.

After the successful delivery of the course, Bartlett & West was contacted by Missouri Public Utilities Alliance (MPUA) of Columbia, Missouri. MPUA had been looking for a trainer to help them provide a similar course through a federal grant from the US Department of Economic Development and MoDNR suggested Bartlett & West could be an option. Modeled after the course that was delivered to the industrial client, a 52-hour “Wastewater Operator Bootcamp” course was developed and delivered on three separate occasions to various Missouri operators, with the final course wrapping up in May 2026. MPUA also asked Bartlett & West to develop and deliver three 56-hour “Water Treatment and Distribution Operator Bootcamp” courses. The last of those courses will be completed in June 2026.

Value

There is a growing need for more trained operators: 88% of Level A operators in Missouri are over the age of 45. The training provides background knowledge and skills needed to pursue licensure and build that field back up. These courses are designed to prepare current or soon-to-be operators to qualify for MoDNR’s operator certification exams. Approximately 120 students will have taken and completed the courses, with many of those going on to take one or more state exams. Feedback from the participants and MPUA has been very positive. Some operators who had taken a state exam multiple times and been unable to pass were able to pass their exam following the course and be awarded a state certification.

Bartlett & West is committed to leading water and wastewater operators and their communities to a better tomorrow and has been pleased to be considered a trusted partner with MPUA to that end.