04/09/2026
💧🔧 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
