Course Syllabus
WTRM 233: Water Conservation
Course & Instructor Info
Semester, Date/Time: Spring 2022: January 31st to May 27, 2022
Online Instructor: Catherine Miettinen Ames
Email Address: cames@gavilan.edu
Office Location and Hours: Online, via email, anytime
Course Description
This course provides technical and practical information in water use efficiency, the need for and major components of comprehensive water conservation programs and the role of the water conservation coordinator in the public water supply industry. Topics include: customers and their water uses, water sustainability factors, regulatory agencies and careers/opportunities in the field of water management. This class will help the student prepare for the AWWA Grade 1 Water Conservation Practitioner Certification. This course was previously listed as WTRM 133.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify the major issues confronting the California water supply industry, including the key stakeholders and discuss the range of solutions that have been proposed to solve the problems.
- Describe the regulatory framework that guides water conservation practices, the key elements of a water audit, and the key elements related to the design and management of successful conservation programs.
- Explain various water conservation principles and practices sufficient to complete the AWWA Grade 1 Water Conservation Practitioner Certification Process.
Online Format
This class is conducted completely online. This means that all the class materials are available to you online and you will submit all of your assignments online. The class runs for 6 weeks and the class will have two modules per week to complete. Each unit consists of online lessons, assignments, quizzes, and discussion forums.
Attendance and Pace
Because this is an online class, there are no on-campus meetings to attend. However, this does not mean that you will be able to move through the class at your own speed. A major part of the class involves participation, discussing assignments and problems with your classmates. Thus, everyone needs to be doing the same work at approximately the same time. You will have weekly assignments with weekly due dates. In order to successfully complete this course, you must submit your assignments on time.
Online course Check In
One of Gavilan's campus policies for online courses states that students must check in to their online course within 24 hours of the first day; late adds have 24 hours within adding the course, or they will be dropped.
Required Textbook
This course does not have a required textbook, yet there are many useful resources.
- California Urban Water Conservation Council. Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California,
- Water Conservation Plan Guidelines. U.S. EPA, found at the following.
Yet a recommended books for Water Use Efficiency Practitioner (WUEP) Certification Reference materials for Grade 1:
- handbook of Water Use and Conservation (Vickers, 2001)
- AWWA Manual M22: Sizing Water Service lines and Meters, Third Edition (2014)
- AWWA Manual M36: Water Audits and Leak Detection, Fourth Edition (2016)
- Water Education Foundation - Layperson's Guide to California Water (2015)
- Water Education Foundation - Layperson's Guide to Nevada Water (2006)
- Water Education Foundation - Layperson's Guide to the Colorade River (2018)
- Water Education Foundation - Layperson's Guide to the Groundwater (2017)
- Maximum Performance Toilet Testing websitem WaterSense Products: www.map-testing.com (Links to an external site.)
- EPA WaterSense website: www.epa.gov/watersense (Links to an external site.)
- Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), 2015
- AWWA Manual M50: Water Resources Planning, third edition (2017)
- AWWA Manual M6: Water Meters- Selection, Installation, Testing and Maintenance, Fifth Edition, (2012)
- AWWA Research Foundation, Residential End Uses of Water, Version 2 (2016):
http://www.waterrf.org/Pages/Projects.aspx?PID=4309 (Links to an external site.) - Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper, Reference
- AWWA Reasearch Foundation CII Study (2000)
Technical Requirements
- You will need a computer with access to the internet to participate in this course. Wi-Fi is available free at Gavilan College, and computers are available for students to use on campus in the Gavilan College Library
- You must use the course management system iLearn. Log in to MyGav Portal, and then click on the iLearn button
- You will be required to create, save, and upload a word processing document for your Final Project. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word, you can use a free word processing program, such as Google Docs or LibreOffice
- Some files are in PDF format. Most new computers come with Adobe Reader, the application that reads pdf files. If you find that you cannot open PDF files, you may need to install the free Adobe Reader software
Contact Info
Because this is an online class, I do not have traditional "office hours" - instead, you can send me your questions at any time, and I will usually respond within 48 hours. If you have questions or need assistance with any of your assignments, you can:
- Post your question to the "Questions & Answers" forum on iLearn
- Email me at cames@gavilan.edu, or via the iLearn messaging
Technical Support
If you have technical problems (logging in, submitting work, or maneuvering around our course on iLearn), you have the following options for getting help:
- Go to Gavilan's website under the online student tab for assistance and frequently asked questions and it has a lot of useful information for setup https://www.gavilan.edu/student/online/index.php
- Contact the Distance Education Office at disted@gavilan.edu or 408-848-4885
Prerequisites and Orientations
There are no prerequisites for this class. There is no required orientation for this class. However, if you are new to online courses at Gavilan, or if you would like a brief orientation to the course, you have numerous options:
- Basic overview of an online class are found at Gavilan's Website under online student tab: http://www.gavilan.edu/student/online_support.php
Due Dates and Late Work
Assignments will be due each week on Friday evening, by 11:59pm. Everyone has an automatic 48-hour grace period for late submissions, with 10% penalty. After this grace period, late work will not be accepted, with point deductions; however, no late work will be accept during finals week.
Drop Policy
You must be participating and submitting assignments in order to remain in the course. You may be dropped if you fail to login on the first day of class, or if you miss 2 due dates in a row. This class will comply with the college policy on attendance, as stated in the catalog. “students missing one more class hour than the unit value for the particular course, without making prior arrangements may, at the instructor’s option, be dropped without possibility of credit. It is your responsibility to attend class [online class] as it is scheduled. Per Gavilan College Withdrawal Policy: A student who stops attending class is not automatically dropped from class, although it is the instructor’s option to do so, if you miss more than two classes. (See Leave of Absence policy in the Gavilan College catalog). If you wish to drop a class, a Petition for Change of Program card should be filled out, signed by the instructor and returned to the Admissions Office. Failure to do this will result in a failing grade.
Incomplete's:
The symbol “I” (Incomplete) indicates that a portion of required coursework has not been completed and evaluated in the prescribed time period due to unforeseen, but fully justified, reasons and that there is a possibility of earning credit. It is the responsibility of the student to bring pertinent information to the attention of the Instructor and to determine from the Instructor the remaining course requirements, which must be satisfied to remove the incomplete. A final grade is assigned when the work agreed upon has been completed and evaluated. An ‛I’ must normally be made up within one calendar year immediately following the end of the term during which it was assigned. The limitation prevails whether or not the student maintains continuous enrollment. Failure to complete the assigned work will result in an ‛I’ being counted as a failing grade for grade point average and progress point computation, unless the faculty member assigns a specific letter grade to be assigned at the time the incomplete is assigned. The academic program responsible for the course shall maintain an official record of the written contract. If the Instructor of record is no longer available, the academic program director shall ensure that the Instructor’s obligations are fulfilled.
Grading Criteria
The course grade will be determined by the student’s performance on the following:
Grading Category
Percentage of Total
- Writing & Problem Solving -Assignments 40%
- Objective Examinations - Quizzes 50%
- Other Methods of Evaluation - Discussions 10%
Grading Scale
Students will receive a letter grade on their transcript, unless the Pass/No Pass option has been selected through Admissions & Records:
Grade Percentage Letter Grade
92 to 100 A
90 to 91 A-
87 to 89 B+
82 to 86 B
80 to 81 B-
77 to 79 C+
70 to 76 C
60 to 69 D
Below 60 F
ADA Accommodation Statement
Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Accessible Education Center.
Students with special class requirements/ accommodations for exams, etc. should connect with Disability Resource Center (Library 117 – phone 408-848-4865). Make an appointment with me the first week of the semester to discuss special accommodations and bring documentation of those necessary accommodations to the appointment.
Lastly, please view the Accessible Education Center page on Gavilans' website, which has numerous resources available, just click here.
Occupational/Vocational Statement
Occupational/Vocational students – Limited English language skills will not be a barrier to admittance to and participation in Vocational Educational Programs.
Student Services
As the college moves all classes to an online format, Gavilan wants you to know that we will continue to support you by staying open online during our regular hours as much as possible. Gavilan has online tutoring and are embedding peer leaders in many online classes to provide technology and iLearn support. By clicking the "Connect Explore Collaborate" page you can see how to do "online Face-to-Face Video Tutoring," writing center needs of math tutoring needs can be met.
Student Honesty Policy Reference Statement
Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.
Academic Dishonesty
Remember that all work submitted needs to be your own work. Familiarize yourself with the Academic Dishonesty section of the Gavilan Catalog. Any infractions of the guidelines of academic honesty will be pursued in this course. Don’t get yourself in trouble and jeopardize your academic career by cheating, plagiarizing or helping someone else. Assignments for this class are unique to this class and are not be submitted in other formats/classes nor vice versa.
Course Summary:
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