The Water Management program offers several degree tracks for students which include Irrigation Technology and Water Resources Technology.
Irrigation Technology provides practical, cooperative learning experience in both the agriculture and the turf industries. The study of irrigation principles and practices, water and energy conservation, pumps, and fluid hydraulics, troubleshooting, and installation prepare students for industry challenges. Graduates of the Irrigation Technology program are highly recruited to design, sell, install, operate, maintain, manage, and/or service turf, landscape, and agricultural irrigation systems.
Water Resources Technicians are skilled in planning, developing, managing and evaluating programs designed to protect and regulate natural habitats and natural resources. Technicians will have the skills necessary to analyze soil, plant, and water relationships; as well as understand water relationships to environment, economic, and sociological impacts to communities.
Students in the program have the unique opportunity to participate in a paid work experience in spring and summer quarters of the program. Some courses are offered via distance delivery.
The Water Management curriculum is reviewed annually by an advisory board composed of local and regional industry members.

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Mission

The mission of the Water Management Program is the education of students (both novice and experienced) in the newest technologies to provide conservation of water, energy and natural resources.

• Provide the irrigation and water resources technology industries with highly trained, fully employable, skilled technicians.
  
• Develop relationships and/or partnerships with existing irrigation and water resources organizations and institutions in the continuing education of industry practitioners.
  
• Provide industry work experience during the educational process, giving students exposure to the actual application of irrigation principles and practices.
  
• Provide campus labs, classrooms, equipment and general facilities utilizing cutting edge technologies and practices.
  
• Provide highly trained instructors who have significant field experiences as successful practitioners in this industry.

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Degree Options

Students may earn an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Irrigation Technology upon completion of the two-year program of study. The Irrigation Technology degree prepares graduates for highly skilled entry-level positions within the industry and/or transferability to Washington State University. This provides students the flexibility to pursue a technical field of study with an option to continue their education and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. A Irrigation Technology Certificate is available upon completion of the first year of the program.
Students may earn an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Water Resources Technology upon completion of the two-year program of study.

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Entrance Requirements

It is recommended that the student contact the lead instructor regarding appropriate program placement and paying a priority list fee to determine specific quarter start in the program. Students may enter the program fall, winter or spring quarter, however, due to course sequencing it is recommended to begin in the fall. A placement test and mechanical reasoning test offered by the Student Development Center must be completed prior to admittance to the program.

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Career Opportunities

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Other Information

For additional information including regional employment data, completion rates, student characteristics, and employment see http://www.wtb.wa.gov/etp.