DMACC Water Environmental Technology Program

Congratulations to all of our graduates from the Water Environmental Technology program at Des Moines Area Community College!

Last week, we celebrated 9 students who earned their AAS degree in Water Environmental Technology. We also had many more students complete certificates and diplomas this year, a huge accomplishment and a testament to all of the hard work they have put in both in the classroom and out in the field.

We were especially excited to have 5 graduates participate in the commencement ceremony and walk across the stage. It’s always great to see students reach this milestone and begin the next chapter of their careers in the water and wastewater industry.

Thank you to everyone who has supported these students along the way: family, friends, employers, instructors, and industry partners. The future of the industry is in good hands.

Des Moines Area Community College
DMACC Foundation & Alumni Association
Water Professionals International - WPI
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Water Environment Association - IAWEA
American Water Works Association
Iowa Section - American Water Works Association
Treatment Plant Operator Magazine - Dedicated to Municipal Wastewater
Municipal Sewer & Water Magazine
Des Moines Public Works
Iowa Rural Water Association

💧🔧 Real-World Learning in Action – DMACC WET Program 🔧💧

The past month in the DMACC Water Environmental Technology (WET) Program has been packed with hands-on learning, industry exposure, and real-world application, exactly what sets this program apart.

🚰Water Treatment Students have been out in the field and in the lab, gaining experience across multiple treatment approaches and technologies:

Tours of Des Moines Water Works facilities, comparing lime softening and reverse osmosis systems. Thank you to Ike Meyer for giving us all thorough explanations of the treatment processes associated with both.
A visit to the City of Ames Water Treatment Plant, including their state-certified laboratory. Thank you to Calvin, Jake, Maureen, and all of their wonderful staff for sharing their knowledge with us.
Two full days of water treatment lab focused on chemistry, analysis, and real testing procedures. Thank you to Dan Willers from Stand for kicking off the lab portion and setting the foundation with a presentation on Water Chemistry

Students aren’t just learning how treatment works, they’re seeing it, testing it, and applying it.

🚧Wastewater Collections students have been fully immersed in the field and industry too:

They attended the IAWEA Collection Systems Specialty Conference, networking with professionals and exploring the latest tools and technologies
Heard from the Iowa Utilities Commission on regulations and system oversight. Thank you to Greg and Ryan for coming to the DMACC Ankeny campus and presenting on the do's and don'ts of utility locates and the importance of calling before breaking ground.
They visited an active construction site to see pipe and manhole installation in real time. Thank you to Matt Brix, a WET program Alum who works for Snyder and Associates, for showing us around and teaching a bit on construction site safety and what it's like to be an inspector in this industry.
Lastly, we learned about drone surveying, GPS, GIS, and utility locating from industry experts. Thank you to Mike Liska from HRGreen for showing off his equipment and teaching us about GIS, asset management, and how that ties into Capacity Management, Operations, and Maintenance of collection systems. And thank you to Carl and Mark from Jim Jolly Sales for coming in and teaching the students about locating utilities and their products that help operators reduce their risk of line strikes, ultimately making them all safe workers.

From the classroom to active job sites, students are building the skills needed to step directly into the workforce.

💡 Why WET?
Because learning doesn’t stop at a textbook. Our students:
✔️ Tour real facilities
✔️ Work with industry professionals
✔️ Gain hands-on lab and field experience
✔️ Build connections in the water and wastewater industry

If you’re looking for a career that makes a difference and offers strong job opportunities, this is it.

📩 Interested in learning more about the WET program at DMACC? Reach out, we’d love to connect!

Des Moines Water Works
City of Ames Water & Pollution Control
Strand Associates
https://iuc.iowa.gov/
Snyder & Associates
HR Green, Inc.
https://jimjollysales.com/
Water Professionals International - WPI
Professional Operator
Iowa Water Environment Association - IAWEA
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Section - American Water Works Association
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Iowa Rural Water Association
National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
Municipal Sewer & Water Magazine
Treatment Plant Operator Magazine - Dedicated to Municipal Wastewater
DMACC Continuing Education
DMACC Foundation & Alumni Association
Des Moines Area Community College

🌊🚛 WET Program Field Days – A Strong Start to the Semester! 🚛🌊

This week, students in the Water Environmental Technology (WET) program at DMACC kicked off our first field days of the semester with two outstanding real-world learning experiences!

🔹 Tuesday – Camp Dodge
We were proud to visit Camp Dodge, hosted by WET program alumni and now adjunct instructor Kevin and his team. It’s always special when our graduates come full circle and help train the next generation of operators. Students toured a facility utilizing lime softening and filtration and had in-depth conversations about equipment, operations, maintenance planning, and real-world system challenges. Seeing EO&M principles applied in an established facility made a lasting impact.

🔹 Thursday – Des Moines Public Works Department
A huge thank you to Jason and his team for hosting our Wastewater Collections EO&M Field Day. Students explored collection system equipment, learned about CMOM implementation, GIS integration, and asset management strategies, and visited the biocells in the Market District and stormwater pumping station. The hands-on exposure helped students connect classroom concepts directly to field application.

There is no substitute for learning in the field. Watching professionals operate, troubleshoot, and maintain critical infrastructure reinforces why this work matters.

We are incredibly grateful for partners — especially our alumni — who invest their time and expertise into supporting the WET program. What a great way to start the semester! 💧👏

Water Professionals International - WPI
Professional Operator
Iowa Water Environment Association - IAWEA
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Section - American Water Works Association
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities
Iowa Rural Water Association
National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
Municipal Sewer & Water Magazine
Treatment Plant Operator Magazine - Dedicated to Municipal Wastewater
DMACC Continuing Education
DMACC Foundation & Alumni Association
Des Moines Area Community College

The 2026 Spring Class Schedule for Water/Wastewater Classes is Now Available! Classes start January! Registration is open!

2026 Spring Water/Wastewater Operator Class Schedule Email from Des Moines Area Community College Registration is Open! Classes begin in January 2026! Sign up today! 2026 Spring Water/Wastewater Class Schedule Registration is Open! Secure your Spot! REG