Hazen to Develop the Nation’s First Advanced Water Treatment Textbook for Operators
(LOS ANGELES, CA – Sept 23, 2025) - The California-Nevada Section American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) recently engaged Hazen and Sawyer to develop a comprehensive textbook and study materials to help operators learn to manage advanced treatment technologies and processes and prepare for the Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO®) certification exam.
While water and wastewater operators rely on long-established textbooks to prepare for their certification exams, none currently exist for advanced water treatment (AWT). AWT utilizes many familiar concepts already in use in drinking water and wastewater applications, but combines them to provide reliable high-quality potable water sources. Fifteen advanced water treatment facilities (AWTF) are operating or under construction in California and more than 80 AWTFs are planned nationwide, meaning the industry will soon need a well-trained, highly skilled, and certified workforce. Given the increasing complexity of water treatment technologies and the high standards required for AWTO® certification, this textbook will bridge a critical gap by offering an in-depth study guide to support operators in their preparations.
“CA-NV AWWA is proud to announce we have selected Hazen and Sawyer to develop a comprehensive advanced water treatment textbook,” said Jenna Bland, CA-NV AWWA’s Director of Finance and Education. “Our members and volunteers are excited to collaborate with them on the project. Their expertise and track record in advanced water treatment make them highly qualified to deliver this essential operator training resource.”
Troy Walker, Hazen’s water reuse practice group lead, will serve as the project manager. He has spent decades working on reuse systems around the world—and draws from that experience when he trains others.
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Related: This textbook is part of a larger effort to educate and train future advanced water treatment operators to ensure high-quality drinking water supplies and continued public health.
“After decades working in advanced water treatment, I’ve seen how vital skilled operators are to the success of these systems. Operators deserve resources that truly support them. It’s an honor to support the development of a textbook that will empower and inspire the next generation of professionals who will protect human health and the environment.” - Troy Walker, Hazen water reuse practice group lead
There are currently 260 certified AWT operators, and CA-NV AWWA’s goal is to expand the operator talent pool to 1,000 AWTO certified professionals over the next two years. The experiences of these operators will be incorporated into the training materials as they are developed to ensure the study materials best reflect lessons learned to help guide the efforts of potential operators.
The textbook and educational resources are scheduled to be published by May 2026.
