7 Water Treatment Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Trusted recommendations by Kenneth D. Kerri, John C. Crittenden, and Chris Davis to boost your Water Treatment expertise

Updated on June 24, 2025
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What if I told you that mastering water treatment isn't just about knowing the science, but about understanding how to apply it in real-world systems that millions rely on daily? Water treatment shapes public health, environmental safety, and resource management in ways many overlook.

Kenneth D. Kerri, a Project Director at California State University, Sacramento, has spent decades shaping training programs that bridge theory and practice in water treatment plant operation. Meanwhile, John C. Crittenden, holding the Hightower Chair at Georgia Tech, has advanced the field with deep dives into treatment design and emerging technologies. Chris Davis, editor of key certification guides, aligns expert knowledge with practical exam preparedness, helping countless operators succeed.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific backgrounds, certification goals, or operational challenges might consider creating a personalized Water Treatment book that builds on these insights and fits your unique learning path.

Best for thorough plant operation training
Kenneth D. Kerri is a Project Director at California State University, Sacramento, with extensive expertise in water treatment education. His role in developing training programs for drinking and wastewater facilities ensures this manual is grounded in practical, educational experience tailored to both students and professionals. This background makes the book a solid resource for those serious about mastering the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants.
Water Treatment Plant Operation (A Field Study Training Program, Volume 1, Sixth Edition) book cover

by Project Director Kenneth D. Kerri··You?

740 pages·Water Treatment, Water Quality, Plant Operation, Facility Maintenance, Drinking Water

Kenneth D. Kerri's decades of experience as a Project Director at California State University, Sacramento, shaped this detailed manual on water treatment plant operation. You’ll find an in-depth exploration of how drinking and wastewater facilities function, with clear explanations of operational and maintenance practices drawn from real-world training programs. The book’s 740 pages cover everything from fundamental water quality principles to the technical aspects of plant management, making it particularly useful for those entering or advancing in the water treatment field. If your goal is to grasp both theoretical and practical facets of plant operation, this book offers a methodical and thorough approach, though it’s best suited for committed learners ready to engage with comprehensive material.

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Best for Grade II certification preparation
Chris Davis is an experienced editor and educator focused on water system operations, with a specialty in operator certification training. He has played a pivotal role in developing educational content aligned with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) standards. This background uniquely equips him to compile this Grade II water treatment guide, offering you relevant and up-to-date material tailored precisely for certification success.
2016·404 pages·Water Treatment, Operator Certification, Water Quality, Treatment Processes, Plant Safety

When Chris Davis took on the task of editing this volume, he aimed to create a focused resource that matches the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) criteria for Grade II water treatment operators. This book delivers detailed coverage of 22 chapters, including regulations, operator math, chemistry, and specific treatment processes, with practical tools like full-color illustrations and links to over 100 training videos. You'll gain a clear understanding of plant safety, monitoring systems, and water quality testing, all essential for passing certification exams. If you're preparing for the Grade II certification or seeking a structured, experience-based guide to water system operations, this book suits your needs well.

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Best for tailored learning paths
This AI-created book on water treatment is tailored to your skill level and specific goals. By sharing your background and the topics you want to focus on, the book is created to match exactly what you need to learn. It offers a personalized journey through the complex field of water treatment, making the subject accessible and relevant to your unique situation. This approach helps you gain practical knowledge efficiently, bridging expert insights with your individual learning path.
2025·50-300 pages·Water Treatment, Water Chemistry, Treatment Technologies, Water Quality, Regulatory Compliance

This personalized book explores the essentials and advanced concepts of water treatment, crafted specifically for your background and learning goals. It covers fundamental principles such as water chemistry, microbiology, and treatment technologies while also examining complex topics like regulatory compliance and system design. By focusing on your interests and experience, the book reveals a tailored pathway through the science and practical applications of water treatment systems. With this tailored approach, you gain a unique synthesis of expert knowledge adapted to your specific context, enabling efficient learning without wading through unrelated material. It’s an engaging, focused study that bridges broad expertise with your personal objectives in water treatment mastery.

AI-Tailored Guide
Regulatory Compliance
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for advanced operator certification
The American Water Works Association, founded in 1881 and representing over 51,000 water professionals globally, brings unparalleled expertise to this guide. Their deep commitment to advancing public health and effective water management informs every page, making it a trusted resource for those seeking to excel in water system operations and certification.
Water System Operations (WSO) Water Treatment, Grades III & IV book cover

by PhD PE Editor Holly Shorney-Darby··You?

2016·296 pages·Water Treatment, Water Quality, Regulations, Operator Math, Chemistry

What happens when decades of industry expertise meet rigorous certification standards? The American Water Works Association crafted this book as a definitive guide aligned with the latest operator certification requirements, focusing on Grades III and IV water treatment. You'll explore detailed chapters on regulations, chemistry, operator math, and specific treatment techniques, all designed to sharpen your understanding and test readiness. The inclusion of full-color illustrations, video resources, and chapter-end questions offers practical reinforcement, making it especially useful if you're preparing for professional exams or seeking to deepen operational competency in water systems. If your goal is to master the technical and regulatory facets of water treatment operations, this book delivers focused content without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for foundational operator knowledge
American Water Works Association, a renowned organization providing water system operations training, brings you this book designed specifically to meet the latest certification standards. Their expertise ensures the content is both relevant and practical for operators aiming to excel in water treatment operations.
2016·430 pages·Water Treatment, Operator Certification, Regulations, Water Quality, Chemistry

American Water Works Association, a leading authority in water system training, crafted this book to align precisely with the Association of Boards of Certification's latest criteria. You’ll find 21 chapters covering everything from regulations and operator math to detailed treatment processes and plant safety. The inclusion of full-color illustrations, practice questions, and over 100 instructional videos helps reinforce your understanding effectively. This book suits those preparing for the Grade I water treatment operator exam or anyone seeking a solid grasp of core water treatment operations.

Published by American Water Works Association
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Best for exam practice and test readiness
Joshua Armstrong is a recognized expert in water treatment certification, providing valuable resources for aspiring operators. His extensive experience in the field has led him to create effective study materials that help candidates succeed in their certification exams. This book reflects his commitment to practical preparation by offering practice exams that closely replicate the actual certification tests, giving you a reliable way to assess and improve your readiness.
2019·65 pages·Water Treatment, Certification Exams, Test Preparation, Math Problems, Operator Training

Joshua Armstrong is a recognized expert in water treatment certification whose extensive field experience shaped this practical exam prep book. You gain access to 200 multiple-choice and math questions crafted to mirror actual Grade 2-3 water treatment operator certification exams, including detailed answer explanations and math problem walkthroughs in the back. This focused approach helps you sharpen your test-taking skills and grasp key concepts under exam conditions. If you are aiming to pass these certification tests, this book offers targeted preparation that reflects the real exam format and challenges, making it a straightforward tool for validating your readiness.

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Best for rapid skill improvement
This AI-created book on water treatment operations is tailored to your specific goals and experience level. By sharing your background and the areas you want to focus on, you receive a personalized plan that zeroes in on the skills you need most. This approach makes learning more efficient by bypassing irrelevant material and honing in on what matters for your quick improvement. It’s like having an expert guide you through exactly what you need to know to succeed in water treatment operations.
2025·50-300 pages·Water Treatment, Operational Efficiency, Process Optimization, Water Quality, Treatment Techniques

This tailored book explores a focused 30-day plan designed to accelerate your skills in water treatment operations. It covers essential techniques and practical steps, emphasizing rapid improvement tailored to your background and specific goals. The content examines core treatment processes, operational challenges, and quality management, delivering a personalized pathway that bridges expert knowledge with your unique learning needs. By concentrating on actionable tasks matched to your experience, it ensures efficient progress and deep understanding without sifting through extensive resources. This book reveals how a customized learning journey can unlock practical competence and confidence in managing water treatment systems effectively.

Tailored Content
Operational Excellence
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for in-depth engineering design principles
John C. Crittenden holds the Hightower Chair and directs the Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems at Georgia Tech, bringing high-level academic and practical expertise to this authoritative water treatment guide. His leadership in civil and environmental engineering informs the book's comprehensive coverage of both foundational science and emerging treatment technologies. This combination makes the book a solid reference for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of water treatment design and operation.
MWH's Water Treatment: Principles and Design book cover

by John C. Crittenden, R. Rhodes Trussell, David W. Hand, Kerry J. Howe, George Tchobanoglous··You?

1901 pages·Water Treatment, Water Quality, Water Chemistry, Microbiology, Regulatory Compliance

John C. Crittenden's decades of environmental engineering expertise led to a thorough update of this cornerstone water treatment reference. You explore detailed principles behind water chemistry and microbiology alongside modern challenges like pharmaceuticals in water and new regulatory demands. The book guides you through advanced technologies such as membrane filtration and ozone addition, enriched by case studies on full-scale treatment applications. Whether designing or operating treatment plants, you gain technical depth and practical insight, though its length and detail suit those committed to mastering the field rather than casual inquiry.

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Best for practical survival water treatment
Ben Gordon is a civil engineer whose extensive experience as a camp counselor, wilderness trip leader, and Search and Rescue team member informs this book. His practical expertise shines through as he guides you through treating drinking water using a variety of methods suited for outdoor or emergency use. His hands-on approach helps you understand how to make the best of available resources when modern supplies aren’t at hand.
2020·72 pages·Water Treatment, Filtration, Disinfection, Distillation, Emergency Preparedness

Ben Gordon's background as a civil engineer and wilderness leader gives this book a grounded, practical edge. He breaks down how to identify and treat various water contaminants using methods like filtration, chemical disinfection, and distillation, even when modern supplies aren't available. You’ll find detailed chapters on everything from UV disinfection to improvised filtration techniques, helping you adapt in emergency or backcountry situations. This book suits those preparing for outdoor adventures or disaster scenarios who want clear, usable skills rather than theory.

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Conclusion

These seven books highlight a clear theme: blending scientific rigor with practical application is key in Water Treatment. Whether you're preparing for certification exams or designing treatment systems, a solid foundation combined with real-world tools is essential.

If you're aiming to pass operator certification, starting with "Water System Operations Water Treatment" grades I through IV alongside practice exams will sharpen your skills efficiently. For deeper technical mastery, "MWH's Water Treatment" offers extensive engineering insights. Outdoor enthusiasts and preppers will find "Water Treatment Skills" invaluable for hands-on methods.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Water Treatment book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently tackle the challenges of water treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with the Water System Operations books for your certification grade. They provide structured guidance and build essential knowledge progressively.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Water Treatment?

Not at all. Books like "Water Treatment Plant Operation" and Grade I system operations are designed for beginners entering the field.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts like Grade I operations, then move to practice exams and advanced grades, finishing with in-depth resources like "MWH's Water Treatment."

Should I start with the newest book or a classic?

Focus on relevance to your goals. Newer editions reflect updated standards, but classics like Kerri's manual remain highly valuable for fundamentals.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"MWH's Water Treatment" offers detailed theory and design, while "Water Treatment Skills" and the system operations series emphasize practical hands-on methods.

Can I get tailored Water Treatment advice for my specific needs?

Yes! While these books offer expert knowledge, you can create a personalized Water Treatment book that adapts expert insights to your exact background, goals, and challenges.

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