Expert, Seamless Water & Wastewater Operator Training

Our Mission: To deliver accessible, high-quality education and resources that empower water & wastewater operators keeping our communities safe.

water-otter
Who are we?

Since 2014, Water Otter has been committed to delivering a comprehensive suite of high-quality online training courses, designed to advance the skills and knowledge of water and wastewater professionals.

Just as otters signal the health of water ecosystems, we believe water professionals should be the gold standard for our industry’s well-being.

Beyond professional growth, our platform is dedicated to raising public awareness about the vital role of our industry. By joining Water Otter, you become part of Team Water Otter—championing clean water and supporting the communities we serve.

Team Water Otter

Intuitive Training Designed for Busy Professionals by Experts

FAQs

How is Water Otter different from other online CEU and operator training platforms?

Unlike traditional distance learning providers that rely on 50-hour text manuals or static PowerPoint slides, Water Otter is built around high quality 30-minute videos. Every lesson is taught by experienced water and wastewater professionals, combining process charts, real-world utility footage, and direct mathematical walkthroughs.

In addition, our learning management platform features an automated CEU license renewal tracker, organizational team dashboards for shift-working utility operators.

Feature / Criteria Water Otter Other Online CEU Providers Legacy Distance Learning
(e.g., Textbooks)
Delivery Format 100% 30-Minute Video Masterclasses with visuals Basic text slides, bulleted reading modules, or unedited webinars Heavy print manuals, static PDF reading, and mail-in Scantron forms
Curriculum Scope Comprehensive Full-Utility Curriculum: over 170 courses covering topics such as Wastewater Treatment, disinfection, SCADA/Cybersecurity, PFAS, Jar Testing, Conversion Math, Plant Safety Often narrow or heavily weighted toward generic workplace safety modules Deep academic/theoretical textbooks with multi-week completion timelines
Platform Technology Next-Gen Student Dashboard: Automated state CEU license tracker, renewal countdown, instant certificate generation, and supervisor team reporting Basic generic LMS course lists without automated license audit tracking Manual logging, paper certificate filing, and legacy web forms
Lesson Duration Standardized 30-minute high-impact modules engineered around plant shift work Variable, unpaced reading sessions 30 to 50+ hours per manual
Pricing Model $399/year Flat-Fee Unlimited Access to the entire state-approved catalog Pay-per-credit hour fees ($15–$80+ per individual course) Pay-per-book / manual enrollment fees ($100–$300+ each)

The Problem with In-Person Events: Sending operators to conferences or off-site seminars is costly and disruptive, frequently reaching $1,500 to $2,500 per operator for only 10–12 contact hours once registration ($400–$800+), travel, lodging, meals, and shift-coverage overtime are included.

The Water Otter Solution:

    • Cost Efficiency: Unlimited 24/7 access to the full state-approved catalog for a flat $399/year, eliminating travel and lodging expenses.
    • Zero Shift Disruption: Self-paced, 30-minute HD video modules fit into normal plant downtime, avoiding short-staffed shifts and overtime.
    • Continuous Education: Replaces once-a-year conference cramming with consistent, year-round operational learning.
Our instructors are experienced professionals in water and wastewater operations, maintenance, and resiliency. You can view their biographies here.

One annual fee gives you unlimited access to our full library of online courses, plus our community forum and industry news.

No, you can take as many courses as you wish and repeat courses at any time during your subscription. Upon completion of each course, you receive a certificate of completion.

Each certificate includes the course completion date and the number of continuing education hours earned.

Continuing education requirements vary by state and may change. Many of our courses are approved in 30+ states, but operators must confirm acceptance with their licensing agency.

An individual annual subscription is US$399 and includes unlimited access to 150+ courses. There are no hidden fees. Organizations can purchase bulk/corporate subscriptions with discounted pricing.

No course prerequisites. However, some states may have licensing prerequisites—please check with your state licensing agency.

Sign up at www.waterotter.com. For multiple users or organizations, contact sales@waterotter.com.

Contact support@waterotter.com for account assistance.

Yes. To support operators throughout their entire career lifecycle, Water Otter pairs its state-approved video training with a dedicated Career Hub. Licensed professionals can browse verified municipal and industrial plant openings, while utilities can source qualified, CEU-compliant operators nationwide.

Yes. Alongside our continuing education catalog, Water Otter tracks real-time EPA guidelines, state primacy updates (including PFAS revisions), and emerging plant technologies so operators and utility managers stay informed between license renewal cycles.

Join Us At Water Otter

We are always looking for passionate, driven individuals to join our growing team of instructors and operations. Reach out at admin@waterotter.com

Will Boylan specializes in mechanical and industrial engineering and teaches courses on wastewater pump technology, covering hydraulics, applications, and SCADA system integration.

David Burpeau is a safety professional with over 43 years of experience in water utilities, occupational health and safety, security, emergency planning, and risk management. As a consultant with Aspen Risk Management/Tri-Star Group, David brings deep expertise in industrial hygiene, facility security, and loss control.
Mike Harrington holds certifications in water, wastewater, and industrial wastewater treatment, and is a Certified Environmental Instructor. With extensive operational and manufacturer experience, Mike delivers training workshops nationwide for colleges, industry partners, and regulatory agencies. He teaches a broad range of online courses, from microscope applications to groundwater system operations, ensuring learners gain practical, real-world skills.
John Hricko is a licensed Virginia Class I Water and Wastewater Treatment professional with over 17 years of experience as a consultant and superintendent. He has developed comprehensive training programs for operators, achieved nationally recognized results in nutrient reduction, and was honored as Wastewater Operator of the Year (2008) by the Virginia Rural Water Association. John leads our online math series and delivers specialized courses in hypochlorite disinfection and dechlorination, equipping professionals with essential technical expertise.
Joey Leverette brings 25 years of leadership in the Water & Wastewater industry, holding senior management roles with municipal utilities and contract operations in Georgia and Florida. A state-certified operator in Water Treatment, Distribution, and Collections, Joey has overseen water distribution, wastewater collection, reclaim water, and stormwater systems. He has also held executive government positions and actively contributed to industry associations, presenting at state conferences and serving on key committees.

Tung M. Nguyen is a Cybersecurity Executive who currently serves as the Director of Information Security for the Denver Water Board. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in protecting critical infrastructure by securing both traditional IT and operational technology (OT) environments for water utilities. During his tenure, he successfully architected and implemented ICS/SCADA network segmentation following the Purdue model to protect critical operations and maintain high availability. He is recognized for advising executive leadership on cybersecurity strategy, having notably improved his organization’s Defense Maturity Capability score by over 60%. Tung holds a Master of Science in Computer System Security, maintains numerous industry certifications including the CISSP and GICSP, and is an active member of the Water Information Sharing & Analysis Center (WaterISAC).

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