Information for States on Recommended Operator Certification Requirements


       United States
       Environmental Protection    Office of Water   EPA 816-R-98-001
       Agency          4606      February 1998
v>EPA  Information for States
       On Recommended
       Operator Certification
       Requirements
                For Information Only

-------
OPERATOR CERTIFICATION WORKING GROUP MEMBERS
Harold R. Seifert, P.E.
Arkansas Department of Health
Division of Engineering

Cindy Finan
Association Boards of Certification

Vanessa Leiby
Association of State Drinking Water
Administrators

John P. Scheltens
City of Hot Springs, South Dakota

Jerry Biberstine
Colorado Dept. of Public Health &
Environment

Herbert Pratt
Community Resource Group

Robert W. Rivard
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Water Supplies Section

Kenneth W. Bauman
Consumers Pennsylvania Water Company

James Cleland
Drinking Water and Radiological
Protection Division
Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality

Brian Cohen
Environmental Working Group

Wayne Wruble
Indian Health Service, New Mexico

Lisa B. Detherage
Kentucky Division of Water
Water Operator Certification Section

Judy Sass
Midwest Assistance Program, Montana
Tom Crawford
Native American Water Association

Nina McClelland, Ph.D.
Nina McClelland, LLC

Rick Naylor
Office of Groundwater and Drinking
Water, U.S. EPA

Kevin Christmas
Public Works Commission
Fayetteville Water Department,
North Carolina

Donald R. Bush
Rio Verde Utilities, Inc., Arizona

Gary Morgan
Rural Utilities Services
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Denise Kruger
Southern California Water Company

Daniel Rosenberg
Steering Committee for Safe and
Affordable Drinking Water
U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Bill Carpenter
Tennessee Association of Utility Districts

Jerry Higgins
VPI Water Authority
Blacksburg, Virginia

Cheryl L. Bergener
Water Works Operator Certification
Program
Washington Department of Health

-------
                  Table  of Contents
Chapter 1            Summary of Existing Operator Certification Programs
Chapter 2            Executive Summary and Chapter 6 of Safe Water from Every
                     Tap. National Research Council
Chapter 3             Operator Certification Program Standards, Association of Boards
                      of Certification
Chapter 4            List of State Drinking Water Administrators and Operator
                     Certification Program Officers

-------
INTRODUCTION
The contents of this chapter, Summary of Existing Operator Certification Programs by
Category and Summary of Existing Operator Certification Programs, were prepared for the
National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) Working Group on Operator
Certification. The documents summarize the status of State drinking water operator certification
programs, as of July 1, 1997. They are based on State statutes and regulations. Additional
information was obtained from phone calls to the operator certification program contacts in each
State. These contacts are listed in Chapter 4 of this information package.

The NDWAC Working Group on Operator Certification identified several important
components of a drinking water operator certification program. Information on these areas was
collected and is summarized in the following two documents. The certification program
components are listed below, along with a brief explanation of the information provided for each
category.

• Implementing Agency - The appropriate agency or agencies responsible for
implementation of the program.

• Coverage - Information on which systems require a certified operator (e.g., all
public water systems [PWS], all community [CWS] and non-transient non-
community [NTNCWS] water systems, etc.) and how the State defines an
"operator."

• Reciprocity - An explanation of whether the State engages in reciprocity with
other States, and the limitations that exist for reciprocal certification (e.g., greater
than or equal to State's criteria, only ABC States, etc.).

• Authorization - The State statutes, rules, or regulations that establish authority
for all functions of the program.

• Certification Board - Information on the existence and make-up of a certification
board or equivalent body (e.g., advisory board) in the State program.

• Classification of Systems/Facilities - A description of the method by which the
State classifies its water supply systems. These classifications are usually based
on system complexity or size. If the State uses a point system to determine the
classification, the point system is provided in the appendices to the Summary of
Existing Operator Certification Programs.

• Operator Qualifications - The qualifications for certification (e.g., training,
education, experience).

-------
• Certificate Renewal - The requirements of an operator to maintain his or her
certification (e.g., renewal period, requirements for training, and working, etc.).

• Recertification - Identification of when an operator must reexamine in order to
become recertified due to failure to renew or revocation of his/her certificate.

• Resources - A list of associated fees,1 staffing, and funding for the State program.

• Enforcement - A description of the methods used by the State to enforce the
requirement that public water systems have a certified operator, and the agency
that administers mis area. (This may include actions against an owner or the
operator of a system.)

• Program Review - Information on whether there is a regular formal
review/evaluation process of the entire State program.

Although the information in both documents is similar, the Summary of Existing
Operator Certification Programs contains a much more detailed summary of each State's
program, while the Summary of Existing Operator Certification Programs by Category-\he first
document following this introduction-provides a quick look at where all State programs are on
these issues.2 The documents should be used together for a proper understanding of a State
operator certification program.
'For most States, information on fees was obtained from the statutes and/or regulations. It should be noted
that, in many States, fee revenue does not directly support the operator certification program. This money may go
into the State's general fund, which in turn provides money to run the program.

2There were no tables prepared on "Authorization" and "Enforcement" for the Summary of Existing
Operator Certification Programs by Category.

-------
SUMMARY OF EXISTING OPERATOR
   CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
        BY CATEGORY
     - FOR INFORMATION ONLY -

-------
                              IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY
The following table illustrates where authority lies for the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the
operator certification program in each State.  Broad categories have been used to encompass all variations (e.g.
"Dept. of Health and Welfare" would be classified as "Health", "Dept. of Environment and Conservation" would
be classified as "Environment", etc.). The It denotes the State primacy agency, while the • illustrates where the
operator certification program is located.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware1
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
niinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Health



ft •
X •
K •
K •
X •


K •
*






K



* •
X •
Environment/
Natural Resources
X •
X •
X •





X
X

•
X •
X •
X •
X •
X •
x .

X •
X •
X •


Other*








•
•







•
•

•



    * Examples of an implementing authority that would be classified as "Other" include: Department of Human
    Services or Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL X
TOTAL •
Health


K •
•



K •

X •


X •

X •
K •





X
X •
•


18
17
Environment/
Natural Resources
X •
X •


X •
X •
X •

X •

X •
X •

X •


X •
X •
X •
X •
X •


X
X •
X •
31
28
Other*



X











•



•

•




1
8

-------
REMARKS:



    1. Draft Regulations.

-------
                                           COVERAGE
This table illustrates which systems are required to have a certified operator according to State statutes and
regulations. Additionally, the issue of remote supervision is presented.  In many States, remote supervision is only
allowed at certain facilities (e.g., small, non-complex). (Refer to detailed summary of the State for more
information on this issue.)

Alabama'
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas2
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware3
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho4
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana5
Maine
Maryland2
Massachusetts
Michigan2
Minnesota
Mississippi
Certified Operator Required
CWS
Yes
•

•
•
•
•

•
•
•



•

•
•

•

•


•
Yes*

•




•



•

•

•


•

•

•
•

No
























NTNCWS
Yes
•

•

•
•

•
•
•


•
•

•
•

•

•


•
Yes*

•

•






•






•



•
•

No






•







•




•




Remote Supervision
Allowed
Yes
•

•

•
•



•


•
•
•

•
•
•

•

•
• •
No

•




•
•
•

•




•








    *These columns indicate that the State does require a certified operator at most of these systems
    however, certain exemptions apply.

-------

Missouri6
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire2
New Jersey 7
New Mexico
New York2
North Carolina
North Dakota8
Ohio
Oklahoma2
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island2
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee2
Texas
Utah
Vermont2
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
Certified Operator Required
CWS
Yes

•
•
-
•

•
•



•

•

•

•
•

•


•


26
Yes*
•


•

•


•
•
•

•

•

•


•

•
•

•
•
23
No


























0
NTNCWS
Yes

•
•

•

•
•





•

•

•
•

•


•


24
Yes*



•

•


•

•
•


•

•


•

•



•
16
No
•



"




•


•









•

•

8
Remote Supervision
Allowed
Yes

•
•
•
•
•


•
•
•



•




•


•
•
•
•
28
No
•





•





•
•

•


•


•




13
*These columns indicate that the State does require a certified operator at most of these systems
however, certain exemptions apply.

-------
REMARKS:

     1. NTNCWS with groundwater are exempt.

     2. It could not be determined based on the information whether remote supervision is permitted in this State.

     3. Draft Regulations.

     4. The program is voluntary.

     5. Systems serving <500 persons are exempt, except those systems utilizing either surface water or ground water
     under the direct influence of surface water as their source with at least 15 connections and regularly serving at least
     25 people.

     6. Exemptions: PWSs serving fewer than 50 service connections or fewer than 200 people.

     7. Class 3 and 4 automated facilities are exempt.

     8. Well water facilities are exempt.

-------
                                          RECIPROCITY
The following table lists whether States engage in reciprocity with other States, and two of the most common
limitations that exist for reciprocal certification: if > State's criteria, or only with other ABC States.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut1
Delaware2
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois*
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Yes
Case-by-Case if >
State's Criteria
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

ABC Members
Only










•












•
No




•



•















    *Provided that the State from which the operator is coming will grant reciprocal certification for operators certified
    in their State.

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma*
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota*
Tennessee
Texas*
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
Yes
Case-by-Case if >
State's Criteria
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
45
ABC Members
Only





•
















•



4
No


•


















•




4
*Provided that the State from which the operator is coming will grant reciprocal certification for operators certified
in their State.

-------
REMARKS:
     1. The State has an agreement with ABC. If the other State also has an agreement, reciprocity will automatically be
     granted.

     2. Draft Regulations.

-------
             CERTIFICATION BOARD OR EQUIVALENT AGENCY
The table below provides information on the existence and make-up of a certification board or equivalent body
(e.g., advisory board) in each State program.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware1
Florida**
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Yes

•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•



•
•
•
•
•
•
•

No

•



•








•
•
•







•
Type
Advisory Only

•
•



•

•



•



•
•



•
•

Normative*



•

•

•

•
•
•






•
•
•



Make-up
State

•
•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•




•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Academia


•
•





•

•
•



•

•


•


Operators

•
•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•
•



•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Other

•
•
•

•
•
•

•

•
•



•

•
•
•
• .
•

    * Boards classified as "normative" are those which possess the authority to set program standards.
    ** Information not available on board make-up.

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada**
New Hampshire
New Jersey2
New Mexico3
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio**
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina**
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas**
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL4
Yes

•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•


39
No
•






•

•














•
•
11
Type
Advisory Only

•
•
•
•
0
0



•
•
•



•


•
•

•
•


23
Normative*





•
•

•




•
•











14
Make-up
State

•


•
•
•

•




•
•


•

•
•
•
•



28
Academia

•



•


•


•
•
•


•
•

•
•
•
•



20
Operators

•
•


•
O •

•


•
•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•
•



32
Other


•

•
•
•




•
•
•
•

•


•
•
•
•
•


29
* Boards classified as "normative" are those which possess the authority to set program standards.
** Information not available on board make-up.

-------
REMARKS:

     1. Draft Regulations.

     2. This state has two boards; one advisory and one for assistance in administering examinations.  The make-up of
     the advisory only board is unknown.

     3. This state has two boards; one advisory and one that runs the program.

     4. It should be noted that the type of board could not be determined in SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, and VA. Additionally,
     NJ has two boards.  Therefore, the totals listed below the 'Type" columns do not total 38.
     * Boards classified as "normative" are those which possess the authority to set program standards.
     ** Information not available on board make-up.

-------
                   CLASSIFICATION OF SYSTEMS/FACILITIES
This table depicts the various methods by which States classify their water supplies. The letter "D" represents
distribution systems and the "T" stands for treatment facilities. States without a D or a T classify all their systems
by the same scheme.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware1
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi

D
T
D
T
D
T



D
T


D
T

D
T

D
T
D
T

D
T

D
T

D
T
D
T


Point
System


•
•






•






•













•


•

Population
Served




•
•



•



•
•

•
•

•
•


•
•

•
•
•

•

•
•
•

Size (mgd)






•
•




•




•



•
•


•







•


# of Service
Connections




















•















Complexity of
Treatment

•



•
•
•
•


•
•

•
•

•
•

•

•
•

•


•
•



•
•
•
Source of
Supply

•




•

•



•

•



•
•
•


•










•
•

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL2


D
T

D
T
D
T
D
T
D
T
D
T
D
T
D
T
D
T

D
T

D
T

D
T



D
T

D
T




Point
System
•




•

•

•





•






• •


•


•
•

•




•
•

•
18
Population
Served

•
•
•
•

•

•

•
•
•
•


•
•



•
•

•

• .
•



•

•
•
•
•


•
28
Size (mgd)


















•
•


•
•


•









•



12
# of Service
Connections






•





•

•











•



•








•
7
Complexity of
Treatment


•
•






•
•

•









•


•






•
•

•

•
•
35
Source of
Supply


•







•








•
•





•



•

•



•



18
1. Draft Regulations.
2.Totals represent the number of States which use each method in their classification system. Please note that some
States may have two dots, therefore the number of dots in each column may not add up to the totals below.

-------
           CLASSIFICATION OF OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
 This table illustrates how the States compare on the qualifications for an operator to become certified.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas1
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware2
Florida
Georgia3
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa4
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota5
Mississippi
Education
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Experience
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
*
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Exam
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Operator in
Training (OIT)*










•









•



Substitutions
Acceptable


•

•

•
•


•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
*Many States have operator-in-training (OIT) programs. This column represents those States where an OIT
program is a requirement to become a certified operator.

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire6
New Jersey
New Mexico7
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma8
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina9
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
Education
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
• '
•

•
•
•

•
•
• •
•
•
•
•
•

•
44
Experience
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
50
Exam
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
50
Operator in
Training (OIT)*




















•
•




4
Substitutions
Acceptable
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•

•

•


•

•

•
•
•
•


33
*Many States have operator-in-training (OIT) programs. This column represents those States where an OIT
program is a requirement to become a certified operator.

-------
REMARKS:

     1. No experience is required for operators of very small systems.

     2. Draft Regulations.

     3. Class IV operators (very small systems) are exempt from the examination requirement.

     4. Operators of the smallest systems in this State are exempt from the exam requirement.

     5. One year of experience is required to take a class specific exam.

     6. Operators of the smallest systems are exempt from exam and experience requirements.

     7. A grandfather clause exempts operators of systems serving >2,500 people who were employed prior to 07/01/93
     from the exam requirement.

     8. Class D and temporary certificate holders are exempt from the experience requirement.

     9. Trainees are exempt from the requirements.

-------
                                       RENEWAL

This table presents the frequency of certificate renewal, and whether there are requirements for continuing
education.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California'
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware2
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Renewal
1 Year




•






•












2 Years



•
•


•
•
•
•



•
•
•
•
•

•



3 Years
•
•
•



•





•
•





•

•
•
•
5 Years





•


















Other
























Continuing
Education
Requirements
•
•

•



•

•
•


•
•
•
•


•
•
•
•
•

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas3
Utah
Vermont4
Virginia
Washington5
West Virginia
Wisconsin 6
Wyoming
TOTAL
Renewal
1 Year

•



•


•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•




•



13
2 Years



•
•





•










•

•
•

18
3 Years
•

•



•







•




•




•
•
17
5 Years




















•





2
Other







•










•







2
Continuing
Education
Requirements
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

•

'•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
36

-------
REMARKS:




     1. The initial certificate is valid for one year. After the first year, renewal is required every two years.




     2. Draft Regulations.




     3. In this State, renewal varies according to the certificate held.




     4. Class 1 systems are exempt from continuing education requirements.




     5. Continuing education requirements are reported every three years.




     6. The two-year renewal schedule ends in October 1997.

-------
                                 RECERTIFICATION

This table illustrates the point at which an operator must reexam in order to become recertified due to failure to
renew his/her certificate.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware1
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Terminated Certificate; Failure to Renew
Required to Reapply/Reexam?
<6 mo after
expiration

•












•





•


•
>6 mo after
expiration
•

•

•

•

















>1 yr after
expiration







•


•





•




•


>2 yr after
expiration



•

•


•
•

•
•
•

•

•
•
•


•

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
Terminated Certificate; Failure to Renew
Required to Reapply/Reexam?
<6 mo after
expiration
•
•
•

•









•



•



•


•
12
>6 mo after
expiration



•









•



•








7
>1 yr after
expiration





•
•
•

•


•


•




•
•


•

13
>2yr after .
expiration








•

•
•




•


•



•


18
REMARKS:
    1. Draft Regulations.

-------
                                           RESOURCES
This table illustrates how the States compare on fees, program funding and staffing resources.  Issues addressed
are:  1) Staffing: what are the current staffing levels (FTEs) of State programs? 2) Fees: if a State has fees
associated with its program, where does the money that is generated go? 3) Funding: where is the necessary
revenue obtained to run the program?

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona2
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware3A
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky4
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Staffing
>1 FTE
1.1
1.5*
3.0
3.5
4.5
1.5

1.5
1.5*



1.8
2.0

0.75
4.5**
2.0*
N/A
1.25
N/A
3.0 +

3.0
<1FTE






0.15-0.2


0.5
<1.0
0.75


0.25*







1.0

Fees
Dedicated
Fund

•

•







•


•

•

•



•
•
General
Fund
•

•

•
•


•
•
•

•
•

•

•

•
•



ABC'






•

















Funding
Self-
Supporting









•

•






•





Fees + Additional
Funding (e.g., State/Fed)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
    N/A= not available
    A Draft Regulations.
    *Figure may include wastewater program.
    ** Includes training and certification

-------

Missouri2
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire"
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina4
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota"
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
Starring
>1 FTE
1.5
2.84*


1.25
2.0
3.0

2.0
1.0-1.5
1.5
7.0
1.75
4.0*

2.5

1.5
6.0
1.35

N/A
2.5
1.8


2.44
<1 FTE


<1.0
0.5



1.0






0.25

0.5*



0.75



1.0
1.0*
0.66
Fees
Dedicated
Fund
•
•
•
•
•



•

•
•



•
•



•

•



20
General
Fund





•
•


•


•
•



•
•
•




•

22
ABC1














•





•





3
Funding
Self-
Supporting

•








•
•



•





•
•



9
Fees + Additional
Funding (e.g., State/Fed)
•


•

•
•
•

•


•

•


•
•
•
•


•
•
•
I 	 35
N/A= not available
A Draft Regulations.
*Figure may include wastewater program.
** Includes training and certification

-------
REMARKS:
     1. Some States utilize the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) exam service and use fee revenue strictly to
     cover the cost of that service.

     2. This State has a fee schedule, but it is not clear whether fee revenue is a source of funding for the program.

     3. It is not clear whether fee revenue goes into a dedicated fund or a general fund.

     4. Information was not obtained on where funding for the program comes from.

-------
                                    PROGRAM REVIEW
The following table illustrates those States which engage in a regular evaluation of their operator certification
program, and the frequency with which they conduct this review.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware1
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Dlinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
No*
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•
•

•
Yes





•



•




•


•




•

Frequency of Review
More
Frequent














•


•




•

1-3
years
























3-5
years





•



•














Less
Frequent
























    * Many States review their programs as necessary on a periodic basis. This column represents all States where no
    formal evaluation process is in place, and may include such States.

-------

Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
TOTAL
No*
• '
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

41
Yes















•









•
7
Frequency of Review
More
Frequent

























•
4
1-3
years


























0
3-5
years















•










3
Less
Frequent


























0
REMARKS:
     1. Draft Regulations.
     * Many States review their programs as necessary on a periodic basis. This column represents all States where no
     formal evaluation process is in place, and may include such States.

-------
  SUMMARY OF EXISTING
OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
      PROGRAMS
     - FOR INFORMATION ONLY -

-------
7/1/97
State
Alabama

Implementing
Agency
Alabama
Department of
Environmental
Management -
Water Division

Coverage
All community water systems (CWS)
treatment plants are required to have an
operator certified in accordance to the
provisions of the regulation as competent to
supervise the classification of plants or
systems to which the plant or system
operated is classified. All surface water
nontransient noncommunity (NTNC) plants
must also have a certified operator or at least
one trainee present at the plant. A trainee
may perform the duties of an operator for a
max. of one year without having been
certified by the Director . NTNC plants with
ground water are exempt.

Operator definition - person on duty who has
direct responsibility (i.e., supervises or
directs operation) of a treatment or
distribution plant.
Remote facilities: An operator may
supervise more than one ground water plant
if the Dept. determines he can maintain two
systems. All surface water plants must have
at least one certified operator.
Total Systems
CWS: 593
NTNCWS: 59
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 593
NTNCWS: 7
Reciprocity
Yes- Certificates may be
issued in a comparable
classification to a person
who has obtained a valid
certificate from another
State by examination,
provided the
requirements of that
State are comparable to
or higher than those of
the Department and that
State has reciprocal
agreement with
Alabama. Issuance is
contingent upon
submission of an
application to the
Department, required
fees, a copy of the
present certificate, and
other supporting
documentation required
by the Department.

Authorization
Code of Alabama
1975: §22-22 A, §
22-25-1-22-25-15,
and ADEM Admin.
CodeR. 335-10-
1.01-335-10-1.15

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Grade I: distribution systems
only

Treatment Plants:

Grade 11: Basic ground water
(treatment including aeration
and pressure filtration).

Grade III: Advanced ground
water (treatment using
sedimentation and/or
flocculation) or Basic surface
water (treatment servicing
< 2 mgd)

Grade IV: Advanced surface
water (treatment servicing > 2
mgd)

•
I. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Min. experience:

Grade 1= 12 mo.
Grade 11= 18 mo. in a Grade II
facility or 24 mo. combined
(experience may be acquired in
applicable grade level or I
below)
Grade 111 = 24 mo. in a Grade
III or 36 mo. combined
Grade IV= 24 mo. in a Grade IV
or 36 mo. combined

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,000
• Renewal period: triennially

Number of Contact Hours
based on number of
certificates operators have:

1 certificate = 24 hours

each additional certificate =
+15 hours

A complete application for
renewal shall be received at
least forty-five days prior to
the expiration date of the
certificate. Operators who
fail to submit a renewal
application prior to
certification expiration date
may file a late application and
pay late fee over and above
the certification fee.
All late applications must be
received within 180 days after
expiration.
An operator who fails to
submit an application for
renewal after 180 days
must reapply and must
take an examination.
Fees:
• Examination: $50
• Renewal: $20
• Late Fee: $50

Funding:
Generated revenue from fees
goes into a direct credit fund
for operator certification,
within the State's general
fund.

Budget: Data not available.

FT: 1.1
The Department may initiate
proceedings to enforce the
requirements of Code of
Alabama 1975 22-25-1 to 22-
25-15. Proceedings may
include:

• a notice of violation
• an administrative order
directing compliance
• an administrative order
assessing a civil penalty of
s$100ands$25,000
« any violations after
written notice by the State
health officer =
misdemeanor

Information on how violations
are discovered is not available.

Agency: Department of
Environmental Management has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in place
to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
                                                                                                                                                                       7/1/97
    State
 Implementing
    Agency
               Coverage
     Reciprocity
  Authorization
  Certification Board1
      Classification of
     Systems/Facilities
Alaska
State of Alaska
Department of
Environmental
Conservation
All Class A and B PWSs with >100 service
connections, or that are used, or intended
for use, by >500 persons daily, are required
to have 1 certified operator.
- The level of operator required is
equivalent to the system class, with some
exceptions (e.g., night shift may have an
operator 1 level below level of system).

Class A and B PWSs (surface water) not
described above are required to have either
1 certified operator, an operator in training,
or a person who has successfully completed
an approved surface water treatment
training course and examination.

— Surface water or ground water under the
direct influence of surface water (GWUDI)
systems for >500 people must have a
certified operator (for < 500 people, OIT is
sufficient)

Total Systems
CWS: 692
NTNCWS: 0

Total Covered Systems:
CWS:  150
NTNCWS: 0
Yes - Certificates may
be issued without
examination in the
comparable
classification to an
applicant who holds a
certificate in a State,
territory, or possession
of the United States, if
its certification
requirements and
examinations are
comparable to those of
this State and  if
reciprocal privileges are
granted to operators
certified in this State.
Volume 10, Title
45-47-Alaska
Statutes (A.S.
46.30) and
Volume 18,
Chapters 74 and 80
- Alaska
Administrative
Code
Yes-Advisory Only-Water
and Wastewater Works
Advisory Board composed
of the commissioner of the
environmental conservation
and eight additional
members appointed by the
governor (including
certified operators).

Board shall assist the
department in the
administration of the
training and certification
program.
Distribution Systems:
System type: I - IV (based on a
point system accounting for
size, supply source, etc.)

Treatment Plants:
System type: I - IV (based on a
point system accounting for
size, supply source, treatment,
etc.)

See Appendix A-1 fora
complete description of the
point system.
            1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

            2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
            discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).  For national uniformity, we are using the
            SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.

-------
State
AK

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Min. high school education
and successful completion of
written exam for all system
types:

Distribution Cent. Red's:
• Operator experience
requirements = 1-8 yrs.
based on system type

Water Treatment Cent Red's:
OIT: operator in training
Grade 1 : + 1 yr exp.
Grade 2: + 3 yrs exp.
Grade 3: 2 yrs of college, + 4
yrs exp.(2 yrs of this must be
Direct Responsible Charge
(D.C.))
Grade 4: 4 yrs of college, + 4
yrs exp.(2 yrs of this must be
D.C.)

Total Number of Active
Operators: 915

Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

• Continuing education=
minimum of 3 units (1 unit=
10 hrs of approved
instruction)

For renewal, applicants must
pay fee and fulfill continuing
education credit
requirements.

Lapsed certificates may be
renewed if the operator
submits a renewal request
within 1 80 days after
expiration as long as the
operator is in compliance
with 1 8 A.C. 74.070 (C)
(CCU's have been fulfilled)
and the fee is payed.

Recertification
Requirements
The Department will,
using its discretion,
require reexamination of
an operator whose
renewal is received more
than 1 80 days after
expiration.

An operator who has had
his/her certificate
revoked may apply for a
new certificate for 365
days after revocation.
After this period has
elapsed, the person is
treated as a new applicant
(rarely occurs).

Resources
Fees:
• Application: $20
• Exam: $30
• Renewal: $50
• Temporary certificate:
$20 App. fee & $30
certificate fee
• Replacement: $20
• Reciprocal cert: $50 App
& $50 certificate fee
• Dept. sponsored training:
$75 - $200/course

Funding:
All fees are deposited into
the operator receipts fund
which funds the program.

Budget:
Op. Cent, program may use
up to $43,700 of receipts
fund. (Balance in excess of
that will go to general State
fund.)
FT's = about 1 .5 (may
include both water and
wastewater)
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
The DEC can revoke an
operator's certification and
impose fines against systems.

DEC conducts inspections at
the discretion of the drinking
water office.

Agency: Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation
has jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
No-There is no
formal program
review but an
informal review by
the board is ongoing.

-------
                                                                                                                                                                7/1/97
State
Arizona
































Implementing
Agency
Arizona
Department of
Environmental
Quality





























Coverage
-One certified operator shall have direct
responsibility for the operation at all
treatment and distribution systems (includes
CWS and NTNCWS). Direct responsibility
means the day-to-day decision making
responsibility for a water treatment plant,
collection system, or distribution, or a major
portion of such a facility. This chief
operator or superintendent must have a
certification at the facility's grade. A shift
foreman or other operators in charge of the
facility in the absence of the chief operator
or superintendent shall be certified at a grade
no lower than one grade below the grade of
the facility.
-One certified operator may operate one or
more facilities as a remote operator as long
as each remote facility has an on-site
operator with a certification no less than one
grade below the facility; the remote operator
has a certification equal to the facility's
grade; s/he oversees all maintenance of the
facility on basis determined by the grade of
the facility; the on-site operator has a
telephone number for the remote operator;
and the remote operator lives no more than
three hours from the facility.
Total Systems
CWS: 838
NTNCWS: 228
Total Covered Systems
CWS: 838
NTNCWS: 228
Reciprocity
Yes - The Department
may issue certificates to
applicants who hold
valid certificates issued
under laws of any other
State, territory, or
District of Columbia if
the out-of-State
applicant has passed a
written examination
approved by this
Department for the
particular type and grade
for which the application
is made. An applicant
must pay the fees set
forth in R 18-5-1 13 with
his/her application.















Authorization
AZ Administrative
Code: Chapter 5,
Article 1






























Certification Board1
Yes- Certification
Committee makes
recommendations and
provides the Department
with technical advice and
assistance upon request.
The Committee consists of
nine members consisting of
a representative from the
Department, employees
from treatment and
distribution systems, a
member of the academia, a
professional engineer, an
elected or appointed
municipal official, and a
representative of an investor
owned water or wastewater
facility.













-
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution Systems:
(based on population served)
Grade 1:25 -500
Grade 2: 501 -5,000
Grade 3: 5,00 1-25,000
Grade 4: >25,000

Treatment Plants:
Grades 1 - 4 based on
complexity of treatment and
population served






















1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator.  There are some discrepancies
between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the SDWIS data in
States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.

Grade I: no minimum
education or experience
requirements.
Grade 2: 2 yrs experience (at
least 1 yr as a Grade I operator)
OR high school (or GED) + 1 yr
as a Grade 1 operator OR 2 yrs
post-secondary ed. + I yr
experience (at least 6 mo. as a
Grade 1 operator) OR BA + 6
mo. experience.
Grade 3: 4 yrs. experience (at
least 1 yr. as a Grade 2) OR
high school (or GED) + 2 yrs
experience (at least I yr as a
Grade 2 operator) OR 2 yrs
post-secondary ed. + 1 yr and 6
mo. experience as a Grade 2
operator OR BA+1 yr
experience (at least 6 mo. as a
Grade 2).
Grade 4: high school (or GED)
+ 3 yrs experience (at least 1 yr
as a Grade 3 operator OR 2 yrs
post-secondary ed. + 2 yrs and 6
mo. experience (at least 1 yr as
a Grade 3 operator) OR BA + 1
yr experience as a Grade 3
operator.

Total number of active
operators: 6,004 (operators
may have >1 certificate thus the
total number of certificates is
higher).
Renewal period: triennially
If an operator has a
certificate revoked, s/he
may obtain a new
certificate after s/he has
complied with all the
requirements for a new
certificate no less than 6
months, but no more than
2 years, from the time the
certificate was revoked.
This time period is
determined by the
Director.

Lapsed certificates may
be reinstated without
examination upon
application within six
months after expiration
date.

A lapsed certificate not
renewed within six
months cannot be
reinstated and the
applicant must reapply
and pass the exam
according to the rules for
new applicants. Fees will
be collected for both the
lapsed certificate and late
renewal.
Fees:
• E\am: Grades 1&2:$\0
Grades 3&4: $25
• Reciprocity: $15
• 3-yr certification: $15
• Renewal: $15
• Late renewal: $10

Funding: Fees go to the state
general fund.
Budget: Data not provided.
FT: 3
AZ Department of
Environmental Quality has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against both operators
and systems.

Systems are monitored through
a sanitary survey that is part of
routine inspections as well as by
tracking certified operators and
the facilities that they work at to
insure that systems have
operators that meet the
minimum state requirements.

Operators can have the
certificates revoked but more
commonly action is taken
against systems. Administrative
fees that are imposed against
systems depend on the system's
size.

Systems serving 10,000 or more
people can receive penalties of
up to $1,000 per day per
violation up to a total of
$10,000.

Systems serving 500 to 10,000
people can receive penalties up
to $500 per day per violation up
to a total of $5000.

Systems serving <500 people
can receive penalties up to $ 100
per day per violation up to
$1000.
No-There is no
formal review
process. The
Operator
Certification
Committee that
oversees the program
does meet quarterly,
however, thus there
is a certain amount
of program
assessment going on
throughout the year.
I. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in place
to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
                                                                                                                                                                      7/1/97
    State
 Implementing
    Agency
               Coverage
     Reciprocity
  Authorization
  Certification Board1
      Classification of
     Systems/Facilities
Arkansas
Arkansas
Department of
Health
All operators of community and certain
non-community water systems, from which
water is sold, distributed, or otherwise
offered for human consumption, shall be
licensed and certified as competent by the
Department. All operators must be licensed
for the appropriate type of water source.
The grade of license required is based on
population served and whether treatment is
provided.

Any person who is directly responsible for
the safety, quantity and quality of water in a
CWS or NTNCWS which uses surface
water, or a surface water influenced source,
is considered an operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 715
NTNCWS: 54
                                  Total Covered Systems2
                                  CWS: 715
                                  NTNCWS: Data not provided due to
                                  complications with the database.
Yes - The Committee
may waive the
requirements, or any
part of the requirements,
for formal examination
of an applicant for a
license if the applicant
holds a valid license
from another state in
which the requirements
for the license in the
appropriate grade are >
Arkansas
State of Arkansas
Act 96 ofl 913, as
amended, and Act
1001 of 1991
Arkansas Codes:
Title 17, Chapter
51, Sections 101-
106 and 201-205
Yes - Drinking Water
Advisory and Operator
Licensing Committee
assists the department in
examining applicants and
advising the Board in all
matters at the request of the
Board of Health.
The Committee consists of
seven members appointed
by the board. One shall be a
registered engineer from the
Dept. Of Health; one
engineer from academia;
four active operators; and
one consulting engineer
specializing in drinking
water system design.

The BoH adopts regulations
and the DoH implements
them.
Currently uses classification
system based on source
(groundwater or surface water),
population, and treatment*
complexity.

Grade C: 25 -10,000 served, no
treatment

Grade B: 10,000-25,000
served, no treatment OR 25 -
10,000 served with treatment

Grade A: > 25,000 served, no
treatment OR > 10,000 served
with treatment
                                                                                                                                     *simple disinfection (i.e.
                                                                                                                                     chlorine) is not considered
                                                                                                                                     treatment

                                                                                                                                     Proposed classification (ABC
                                                                                                                                     based)
                                                                                                                                     Treatment Plants &
                                                                                                                                     Distribution Systems:
                                                                                                                                     Very small = s 500
                                                                                                                                     Grade 1 - IV (increasing in
                                                                                                                                     complexity and population
                                                                                                                                     served)
            1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

            2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
            discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the
            SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.

Proposed
• Written exam
• Minimum experience:
Very small = none
Grade I = 6 mo.
II = 1 yr.
Ill = 2 yrs.
IV = 3 yrs.

System Grade
>25,000 + treatment = A
>25,000 no treatment = A
10,000-24,999 + treatment = A
10,000-24,999 no treatment = B
25-9,999 + treatment =
B
25-9,999 no treatment =
C

Total Number of Active
Operators: >1800
• Renewal period: biennially

• 24 hours of approved
instruction with adequate
documentation

Recertification for any
reason other than revocation
may be granted for operators
or operators-in-training
within two years after
expiration or becoming
inactive with payment of
appropriate fees.
Reexam ination and re-
licensing may be required
for operators or
operators-in-training who
become delinquent by
failure to renew after two
years.

When the cause for
revocation is removed, an
operator's license may be
reinstated.
Fees:
Exam: $25
• License: $10
Renewal: $10
• Late renewal: $5
• Temp, permit: $10
• Reinstatement of
revoked: $10+ $10
for reissuance of
license
• Reciprocity: $25
evaluation fee

Funding:
All fees are deposited into a
dedicated fund for operator
certification.
— The program is not self-
supporting

Budget*:
approx. $175,000
- approx. $25,000 (operator
fees)
- balance:
60% PWS Service fees
22% General Revenue
18%PWSSGrant .

FTEs: Data not available.

*includes operator training
• Administrative penalties may
be assessed, by the AR State
Board of Health, against any
individual or any public water
system for failure to comply
with any portion of the regs.
Civil penalties s $l,000/day of
violation. Each continuing day
of violation is considered a
separate offense.
• Any violation = misdemeanor
offense

Violations are most often
discovered through periodic
investigations of small systems
to check for document of
certification (usually in
response to complaints), and
sanitary surveys.
— Rely on large systems to
police themselves.

Agency: AR State Board of
Health has jurisdiction over
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
California
California State
Department of
Health Services
All PWS treatment facilities shall have at
least one certified operator.
All people who do hands-on treatment must
be certified but no facility is required to
have a specific number of specific grade
operators.

Operator definition - any individual who
does hands-on treatment.

The Department determines the level of
skill required to supervise or successfully
operate water treatment facilities.

Remote facilities that cannot employ an
operator for the specific grade of the
facility may employ a person who holds a
Limited Certificate as provided in Section
7118.

Total Systems
CWS: 3,482
NTNCWS: 1,009

Total Covered Systems2
Data not provided
No
CA Health and
Safety Code:
Article 3, Chapters
4 and 6 and
California Code of
Regulations: Title
17, Chapter 5,
Environmental
Sanitation.
No
Plants are separated into
surface water and groundwater.
Classifications are based on
type of treatment and flow.

Chemical Treatment Only
Plant:
-- using fluoridation,
chlorination, polyphosphates,
etc.

Chemical/Filtration Plant:
—Systems serving less than 1
million gallons per day.
-Systems serving 1-5 million
gallons per day.
-Systems serving 5-10 million
gallons per day.
—Systems serving 10 million or
more gallons per day.
I. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

-------
State Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
CA Grade 1 certificate: Written
exam (for small chem.
treatment plant with <200
services).
Operators -who serve:
< 1 million gallons per day:
Grade 2 certificate: Written
exam and high school (HS) and
1 college class with no exp. or
HS with 1 yr exp.
1-5 million gallons/day:
Grade 3 certificate: Written
exam and college with no exp.
or HS with 2 college classes
with 2 years exp.
5-10 million gallons/day:
Grade 4 certificate: Written
exam and college with 1 yr exp
as responsible charge (OR) or
HS with 3 yrs exp with 1 yr
responsible charge with at least
1-5 million gal/day operator.
Over 10 million gallons/day:
Grade 5 certificate: Written
exam and college with 1 yr exp
as supervisor of at least 2 other
cert operators or 2 yrs as Grade
4 operator with 5 total yrs exp
with 2 yrs supervisor of at least
2 other cert operators.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 10,525
• Renewal period: An initial
certificate is valid for one
year and each certificate
thereafter is valid for two
years.
If the renewal fees are
not payed, the certificate
will be suspended. The
operator may get a new
certificate up to six
months after the original
due date with fees and
penalties. After six
months, the certificate
will be revoked.
Fees:
• Application for Exam:
Grade 1: $30
Grade 2: $41
Grade 3: $52
Grade 4-5: $63
• Renewal:
Grade 1: $25
Grade 2: $36
Grade 3: $47
Grade 4-5: $57
• Reexamination: same as
application fees
• Late renewal: $15 (in
addition to regular renewal
fee).

Funding:
From renewals: $201,520
/yr
From Processing
Applications: $110,766 /yr
Total Revenue: $312,287
Dedicated fund within
general fund.

Budget:
$300,000 /yr.
Note: Secretary's salary
not taken from this fund.
FTEs: 4.5 plus enforcement
personnel

All training is through the
Community College system
and/or home study through
Sacramento State Univ.
Department has 150 field
officers who have inspection
responsibility.

Agency: Department has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

A new Bill is in the State
legislature that would give
Department more power for
enforcement. This bill is
expected before the year ends.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Colorado

Implementing
Agency
Colorado
Department of
Public Health
and Environment

Coverage
All PWS which treat water are covered
under the requirements. There is no
authority over distribution systems.

The person that has "direct responsibility"
in the operations of a water treatment
facility must have a certificate equal to the
class of the facility or higher.
In smaller facilities with no shift operation,
the person with "direct responsibility" must
have active, daily on-site charge and
performance of operation.
In larger facilities, where shift operation is
necessary, "direct responsibility" includes
the supervisor and the shift operators.
Supervising operators shall supervise only 1
plant unless the Board has specifically
issued a permit to supervise more than one
plant. The complexity of the plant, distance
between plants and experience of the
operator are taken into account.
Total Systems
CWS: 803
NTNCWS: 165
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 803
NTNCWS: 165
Reciprocity
Yes - to any applicant
certified in another
State, territory or
possession of the United
States, or any country
where the criteria for
certification are >
Colorado

Authorization
Colorado
Department of
Health - Article 9
of Title 25

Certification Board'
Yes - 9 members appointed
by the governor with at
least 3 representing private
industry. Remaining
members = water &
wastewater treatment and
industrial plant operators
and representatives of State
agencies (Water Quality
Control Commission, Dept.
of Health, and CO
Municipal League).

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Treatment Plants:
Classes: A-D (based on plant
design flow, water source, and
type of treatment)

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Experience at a water treatment
facility
Class D: 0 years
Class C: 2 years
Class B: 3 years
Class A: 4 years

• 50% of any experience
requirement shall be met
by actual on-site
operating experience in a
water treatment facility

Total Number of Active
Operators: 5,303
• Renewal period: every 5
years

• 70% or higher on written
renewal exam
(as of July 1996.no
continuing education
requirements)

If the operator fails to renew
a certificate before the
expiration date, the
certificate is expired. The
operator may recertify up to
two years after expiration by
paying a fee and passing the
renewal exam.
If a certificate is not
renewed within the 2
years after the expiration
date, the certificate is
revoked and becomes
non-renewable. Once
this occurs, operators
wishing to become
recertified must reapply,
retest, pay fees, etc.
Fees:
• Application = $15
• Re-exam = $10
• Renewal = $5

Funding:
All fees go toward the
general fund which funds
the program.

Budget:
Estimated annual program
budget: $100,000
-- Fees contribute about
$25,000; about $75,000
subsidized by DW program
(PWSS grant), and permits
and enforcement.

FTEs: 1.5
The operator or owner of a
system who violates any
provisions of the law is guilty
of a misdemeanor offense
punishable by a fine not greater
than $300. Each continuing
day of violation is considered a
separate offense.

Violations are usually
discovered through annual
inspections conducted by
District Engineers, or through
general complaints.

Agency: Department of Public
Health and Environment has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.
Yes - Review by
legislature every 5
years.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Connecticut

Implementing
Agency
Department of
Public Health -
Water Supplies
Section

Coverage
The statute only applies to community
water systems.

For every water treatment plant or
distribution system serving >1,000 people,
there must be at least one certified water
treatment operator, who is certified at the
system's class level or higher, known as
chief operator. In addition, each plant will
have at least one other certified operator
(certified at the system's class level or
higher) in the event that the chief operator
is not available.

Total Systems
CWS:613
NTNCWS: 669
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 403
NTNCWS: 0

Reciprocity
Yes - The Dept. of
Public Health may
waive the exam
requirements* in the
event that the applicant
has passed an
examination given by
another State and the
Dept has entered into an
agreement with that
State or ABC. An
agreement can be
entered if the other
state's (or ABC's)
requirements are as
stringent as those of
Connecticut.
* Each applicant is still
required to meet
Connecticut's training
and education
requirements.
Authorization
Connecticut
General Statute,
Section 25-32;
Public Health Code
Section 25-32-7a
through Section 25-
32-14

Certification Board1
Yes- Advisory only.
Operator Certification
Committee consisting 8-9
members representing a
balance of utilities certified
in treatment and/or
distribution. This group
provides advice on the
program, updates
examinations, develops
regulations by proposing
changes to the Department,
and provides feedback on
the overall success of the
program.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution Systems: Classes I,
II, and III (based on
population)

Treatment Plants: Classes I, II,
III, IV (based on a point
system*)

* See Appendix A-2 for a
complete description of the
point system.

1. Tins column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Experience requirements to be
eligible for the distribution
exam are as follows:
Class I: 1 year
Class II: 2 years
Class III: 4 years
Operators may substitute an
equal amount of education
for experience as follows:
Class I: 0 years
Class II: 1 year
Class III: 3 years

Experience requirements to be
eligible for the treatment exam
are as follows:
Class I: 1 year
Class II: 2 years
Class III: 3 years
Class IV: 4 years
Operators may substitute an
equal amount of ed. for
. experience as follows:
Class I: 0 years
Class II: 1 year
Class HI: 2 years
Class IV: 3 years

Total Number of Active
Operators: 971
• Renewal period: triennially
- no CEUs needed, just
reapplication

Lost or expired certificates
may be renewed for up to 6
months without
reexamination.
If an operator has not
renewed his/her
certificate 6 months after
the expiration date,
reexamination is required
for renewal.

Information on revoked
certificates not available.
Fees:
• Examination: $25.00
(strictly to cover the cost of
the exam - goes to ABC)

Funding:
Funding for the operator
certification program comes
from a general fund, it is
built into the water supply
budget. (There is no
breakdown within the
budget strictly for operator
certification)

Budget:
Data not available. The
budget is combined with
other programs, it can not
be separated out.
FTEs: between 0.15 and 0.2
The Dept. may revoke an
operators certificate due to
incompetence, deception, or
fraud.
An administrative order is
issued against the system for
operating without a certified
operator.

Violations are most often
discovered through periodic
reviews of the database and
sanitary surveys.
Agency: CT Department of
Public Health has jurisdiction
over enforcement actions
against both the system and the
operator.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Delaware

Implementing
Agency
Secretary of
Delaware Health
and Social
Services

Grants variances,
certifications,
special operator
certifications
(grandfather or
Operator-in-
Training), issues
Notices of
Violation,
suspends or
revokes licenses.

Coverage
All PWS except seasonal supplies (e.g. park
rcstroom - includes some transients) are
covered under the law.

2 years after effective date of reg:

all PWS treatment facilities must be
under the direct-responsible-charge
(DRC)* of a person possessing a valid
base level water operator's license and all
applicable endorsements.

all PWS dist systems capable of
producing >500 gpm at 20 psi must be
under the DRC of a valid base level water
operator's license, and > a dist
endorsement.

Any PWS that is a combined water
treatment/dist system must be under the
DRC of a person possessing a valid base
level water operator's license, and all appl.
endorsements.

Any PWS that is a combined treatment/dist
and capable of producing >500 gpm at 20
psi must be under the DRC of a person
possessing a valid base level water
operator's license, and > a dist
endorsement.

* DRC refers to the operator(s) assigned
accountable for performance of active, on-
site operational duties.
Total Systems
CWS: 206
NTNCWS: 91
Reciprocity
Yes - Licensed
operators from another
State or country may be
granted a certificate if
there are no conflicts
with their original
certificate and if the
criteria for the original
certificate are >
Delaware.

Authorization
DRAFT
Regulations: 16
Delaware Code
Section 122(3)(c)

-Regulations still
pending

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory Council of
nine (9) members appointed
by the Secretary of
Delaware Health and Social
Services. Comprised of: 1
representative of the
Division of Public Health, 3
reps of the general public, 2
reps from local govt.
agencies, 1 rep from
business/industry, 1 rep of a
public water utility, 1 rep
with valid water operator's
license (or eligible to be
licensed)

Council meets at least
quarterly.

Council advises and assists
Secretary, establishes
procedures and guidelines
for examinations, granting
of licenses, renewal,
suspension, fee collection.
Evaluates training and
reciprocity programs.

Develops regulations,
makes recommendations to
the Secretary regarding
disciplinary sanctions,
issuance and renewal of
licenses.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Public water systems are
classified according to the
treatment process(es) they
operate. These processes (also
called endorsements) are as
follows:

• Disinfection
• Chemical Feed
• Filtration
• Surface Water
Operations
• Other Specified
Treatment
• Distribution

1. Tins column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

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State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
DE
• Base Level Water Supply
Operator: High School (or
equivalent), OR 3 yrs of
acceptable operating experience
and a > 70% on the written
exam.

• Circuit Rider: Must be
certified for all endorsements
(treatment processes) required
for the water systems for which
he/she is responsible.

Must be able to reach the
water system within 2 hours
of notification of an
emergency.

Must visit each water
system for which he/she is
in direct-responsible charge
3 times a week.

• Operator-in-Training: if
lacking required
education/experience, may
receive OIT license if written
exam is passed.

• Grandfather Clause: must
provide documentation that
proves individual has operated
a facility for at least 5 years
prior to adoption of these
regulations.

Total Number of Active
Operators: Approx 500
• Renewal period: biennially

Continuing education
required every 2 yrs:

-12 additional contact hrs +
1.5 CEUs for systems whose
distribution is capable of
producing flow >500 gpm at
20 psi.

—12 educational contact hrs
for systems not capable of
producing flow >500 gpm at
20 psi.

An expired license may be
renewed within one year of
the expiration date by
payment of fee.
After one year from the
expiration date, operators
must submit a new
application and may be
required to take the
appropriate exam.

The Advisory Council
will develop a policy for
recertification of revoked
licenses in the future.
Fees:
• Application for Initial
License: $50.00
• Application for Renewal
of Annual License: $50.00

Funding:
— Not a self-supporting
program, PWSS $ makes up
the difference for funding
of the program.

Budget:
$25,000/year (estimate)

FTEs: approx. 1.5 (no one
full time)
PWSs or operators will receive
a Notice of Violation if the
Secretary believes a violation
of these regulations is
occurring.

Any person who neglects or
fails to comply with this
regulation shall be subject to
penalty as provided in 16
Delaware Code 107.

Violations may be discovered
through complaints by
customers or sanitary surveys.
The Advisory Council then
conducts an investigation of the
alleged violations.
Agency: Health and Social
Services has jurisdiction over
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Florida

Implementing
Agency
State of Florida,
Department of
Business and
Professional
Regulation

(certification
program
transfers to
Department of
Environmental
Protection-
effective
10/1/97).

Coverage
All public water systems are required to
have a certified operator. A person may not
perform the duties of an operator of a water
treatment plant unless licensed. Operator
means any person who is in onsite charge
of the actual operation, supervision, and
maintenance of a WTP, and includes the
person in onsite charge of a shift or period
of operation during any part of the day.

Total Systems
CWS: 2,091
NTNCWS: 1,116

Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 2,091
NTNCWS: 1,116
Reciprocity
No

Authorization
Chapter 468,
Sections 540-552,
Florida Statutes,
and Chapter
61E12-41 Florida
Administrative
Code

Certification Board1
Yes- Water/Wastewater
Certification Technical
Advisory Council advises
Department on technical
matters (e.g., flow rates,
type of treatment, etc.)

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Water Treatment Plants (incl.
CWS and NTNCWS): Classes
A-D (based on plant design
flow, water source, and
complexity of treatment
(Categories I-V))

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

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State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
FL
• Minimum high school
education for all types
• Constructive experience
consisting of: attendance at 1
annual or 2 regional short
schools within past 2 yrs OR
completion of 12 hours of
college course work OR 6
months additional experience
beyond min. required for actual
experience. (Class A-C only)
• >65% on department's Class
specific test.
• Document successful
completion of an approved
training course within 5 years
of filing application. (Class A-
C only)
• Class D: must document at
least 3 calendar months plant
experience.
• Class C: must document at
least 1 year (2,080 hours) of
experience.
• Class B: must document at
least 3 years (6,240 hours) of
experience.
• Class A: must document at
least 5 years (10,400 hours) of
actual experience

Total number of active
operators: 5,706
• Renewal period: biennially
- expires on last day of
February (renewal notices
mailed 90 days before an
active certificate expires)

After expiration date,
applicant must pay $50 late
fee. After two years past
expiration, certificate is null
and void.

Department shall notify
licensee upon renewal or
denial of renewal. Licensee
may request hearing within
14 days of receipt of notice.
After two years past
expiration, must reapply
and pass examination.

Operators who have their
licences revoked cannot
be recertified.
Fees:
• Application,
Examination, licensure and
unlicenced activity fee:
$230.00
• Replace lost certificate
fee: $25.00
• Examination review
(voluntary): $50.00
• Hand scoring of exam
(voluntary): $10.00
• Renewal: $80.00
• Renewal of inactive
license: $50.00

Funding:
All fees go to the general
Dept. of Business and
Professional Regulation
fund.

The revenue from fees
covers most of the cost of
the operator certification
program.

Budget:
Receive budget from BPR
fund. Approximately
$400,000.

FTEs: 1.5 (may include
water and wastewater).
Penalty for a violation of
468.55 l(f): "Any person who
violates any provision of this
section is guilty of a
misdemeanor of the first
degree..."

Disciplinary proceedings may
be brought for operating a plant
without a valid license,
submitting false information,
operating a plant in a maimer
inconsistent with SOPs, or
otherwise violating regulations
or a lawful order of the
department.

Department may impose
penalties of $250-$ 1000.

Violations are most often
discovered through system
inspections conducted by the
district offices of FL DEP

Agency: FL Dept of Business
and Professional Regulation
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators. FL
Dept of Environmental
Protection has jurisdiction in
enforcement actions against
systems*.

*Note:AsofMyl, 1997.FL
DEP will have jurisdiction over
both operators and systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?

-------
7/1/97
State
Georgia

Implementing
Agency
GA State Board
of Examiners for
Certification of
Water and
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Operators and
Laboratory
Analysts (within
the office of the
Secretary of
State)

Coverage
All PWSs (according to Fed. definition)
must have at least one certified operator.
All operators must be certified.

An operator is any person who performs
operational duties (consisting of: for
treatment - day-to-day process control
decisions which may affect the treatment
and quality of the treated water; for
distribution - on-site supervision of
cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the
system) at water distribution systems, water
supply systems, or water treatment plants.

The operator in responsible charge of a
PWS shall hold a certificate of a class equal
to or higher than the class of the plant
system being operated. At surface water
plants it is required that a certified person
be available on-site at all times while plant
is in operation.
Total Systems
CWS: 1,642
NTNCWS:311
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,642
NTNCWS:311
Reciprocity
Yes - The Board may
issue a certificate w/o
examination to any
person who holds a
certificate in good
standing issued by
another country or State,
if the country or State
has requirements similar
to those of the Board.
Person must still submit
written application,
have H. S.
Diploma/GED, submit
fee, and have the other
country/State complete
an endorsement form
stating that applicant is
in good standing and is
currently certified.

Authorization
Title 43, Chapter
51 Official Code of
Georgia Annotated;
and
Rules of the GA
State Board of
Examiners for
Certification of
Water and
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Operators and
Laboratory
Analysts - Chapter
750-1 to 750-10

Certification Board1
Yes - GA State Board of
Examiners for Certification
of Water and Wastewater
Treatment Plant Operators
and Laboratory Analysts is
composed of 6 members
appointed by the Governor

Board meets at least twice a
year.

Board has authority to
issue, renew, revoke, and
reinstate certification. May
start disciplinary
proceedings, impose
sanctions.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
• Distribution Systems
• Public Water Supply Systems
(PWSS) - Classes I-IV (based
on system size)

Class IV system is a very small
system serving a population of
less than 1,000.

Systems are classified by the
GA Environmental Protection
Division (the primacy agency)

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

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State
GA

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• All applicants must have at
least a high school degree (or
GED) and pass the written
exam (Class IV systems are
exempt from this requirement).

Distribution systems; + 3
months experience + 27 hrs
course work

PWSS:
Class IV: + 1 month exp. + 6
hrs course work
Class III: + 3 months exp. + 40
hrs course work
Class II: + 2 yrs. exp., OR
Bachelor of Science (BS) + 1
yr. (+ current Class III
certification and 48 hrs
advanced course work)
Class I: + 3 yrs. exp., OR BS +
2 yrs. (+ current Class II
certification)

All applicants except Class IV
operators must pass a written
exam.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,987 treatment
operators, 432 distribution
operators (It is possible to have
dual certification, therefore,
some of the treatment operators
may be included in the figure
for distribution.)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially
- all certificates expire June
30 of odd-numbered years.

Continuing education
requirements:
Class IV: 2 points
Class HI: 6 points
Class II: 12 points
Class I: 18 points

Certificates may be renewed
within 3 months of
expiration with the payment
of a surcharge.

Recertification
Requirements
Failure to renew within 3
months of expiration of a
renewal year shall have
the same effect as
revocation of the
certificate.

Within 2 years of
revocation, the Board
may reinstate a certificate
to an applicant who
submits the appropriate
reinstatement application,
fee and proof of
continuing education.

After 2 years, Board may
reinstate certification if
the above requirements
(for reinstatement within
2 years) are fulfilled and
the exam is retaken and
passed.

Resources
'Fees:
Board collects fees for
applications, exams,
renewal.

Funding:
Board is self-supporting.
However, generated funds
must go to the State general
fund first and then be
reappropriated to the
program.

Budget:
$93,000 (rough estimate)

FTEs: 0.5

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Board may revoke or suspend
the certificate of an operator
following a hearing conducted
in accordance w/ the GA
Admin. Procedure Act.

EPD may take action against a
system for failure to have a
certified operator.

Board may investigate the
actions of any operator or
anyone who shall assume to act
in such capacity if the Board
believes a violation of laws and
regulations regarding operators
has occurred.

Violations are most often
discovered through periodic
investigations, monthly
monitoring reports, or
complaints to the Board (which
would be referred to EPD or
Secretary of State's office for
investigation).

Agency: GA State Board of
Examiners for Certification of
Water and Wastewater
Treatment Plant Operators and
Laboratory Analysts handles
enforcement against operators
while EPD enforces the
requirements of systems.

Program Review1
Yes - The Dept. Of
Business and
Professional
Regulation reviews
all certification
programs
approximately every
5 years.

-------
7/1/97
State
Hawaii

Implementing
Agency
Department of
Health
(Environmental
Management
Division, Safe
Drinking Water
Branch)

Coverage
All public water systems that are surface
water and GWUDI systems require a
certified operator. These systems shall, at
all times, be under direct responsible charge
of an operator certified at or above the
numerical classification of the system.
Direct responsible charge means active on-
site performance of operational duties and
control over the operation of a water
treatment plant by an operator with regular
certification or Grade 4 temporary
certification. A person in direct responsible
charge makes independent decisions during
the operation of a WTP which can affect
the sanitary quality, safety and adequacy of
water delivered to consumers.

Total Systems
CWS: 125
NTNCWS: 16

Total Covered Systems:
CWS: 13
NTNCWS: 0

Reciprocity
Yes - An applicant
certified in another
State, territory, or
possession of the U.S.
or a country listed in the
"certification contacts"
section of Association
of Boards of
Certification (ABC)
annual directory may
apply for certification
w/o an exam in the
grade in which he/she is
currently certified.

Applicant must submit a
copy of his/her current
certificate and proof of
passing an exam
administered by the
State, country or ABC
that is equivalent to that
administered by Hawaii.

Other factors taken into
consideration: # of
years of experience and
type of experience
Authorization
Chapter 340F
"Hawaii Law for
Mandatory
Certification of
Operating
Personnel in Water
Treatment Plants;"
Hawaii
Administrative
Rules, Chapter 25
of Title 11 with
amendments.
"Rules Relating to
Certification of
Operating
Personnel in Water
Treatment Plants."
(§11-25-1-15)

Certification Board'
Yes - State Board of
Certification to be placed in
the Department of Health.
Consists of five members
appointed by the Governor.

4 members qualified in
sanitary engineering or
drinking water treatment
plant operation and 1 from
the State agency responsible
for the safe drinking water
program.

Board is authorized to:
write regulations, issue,
revoke, and suspend
certificates, establish &
collect fees, conduct exams,
develop training programs,
delegate responsibility of
administering requirements
of this chapter.

Board classifies all water
treatment plants.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Classes 1-4:
Class 1 : Slow sand filtration.

Class 2: Membrane filtration,
cartridge filtration, granular
activated carbon filtration,
packed aeration towers or air
stripped towers.

Class 3: Diatomaceous earth
filtration or water treatment
plants with similar features to
diatomaceous earth filtration.

Class 4: Conventional
treatment, direct filtration,
desalting.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

-------
State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review'
ffl
• Minimum of high school
diploma for all classifications
• >70% on exam
• Minimum experience:
Grade 1: 1 yr work experience
and certification.
Grade 2:1 yrs work experience
with at least Grade 1
certification or 1 yr experience
with BA, or Grade 3-4
certification.
Grade 3: 5 yrs experience (+ 1
yr of full-time work experience
with Class 3 or 4 WIT), or an
associate degree with 3 yrs
experience, or some variation
of college credits, grade 3 and
4 certification and experience.
Grade 4: 1 yr of full time
experience as Grade 3 operator
at a Class 3 or 4 WTP or some
variation of college credit and
work experience at Class 3 or 4
WTP.

Temporary and provisional
certifications and operator in
training certifications may also
be issued.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 24
• Renewal period: biennially

Continuing education: Grade
1: 1 CEU(8 hours) required
Grade 2: 1 CEU required
Grade 3: 2 CEUs (16 hours)
required
Grade 4: 2 CEUs required

Must be renewed by Oct.
17th; certification will expire
Oct. 31.

30 day grace period from
November 1-30.
After Nov. 30 of a
renewal year, operator w/
expired certification may
no longer perform duties
until s/he applies for
renewal and is approved.

Between Nov. 1 and Nov.
30, renewal fee is $20.
After Nov. 30, renewal
fee is $40 until following
Oct. 31, after which
operator must reapply
and retake the exam to be
certified.

Recertification of
operators with revoked
certificates depends on
the initial violation and is
on a case by case basis.
Fees:
Collected for issuance, re-
certification, and
examination.
• Application: $20
• exam fee $30
• OIT, provisional, and
temporary certification: $20
• reciprocity: $30
• renewal: $20
• late renewal: $20
• replacement of lost
certificate and ID card: $10
and $15, respectively

Funding:
All fees go to the State fund

For exams, Safe Drinking
Water Branch money used

Budget: approx $2000

FTEs:
-------
7/1/97
State
Idaho

Implementing
Agency
ID Dept. of
Environmental
Quality

Coverage
Program is voluntary.

Total Systems
CWS: 728
NTNCWS: 266

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 70
NTNCWS: 50

Reciprocity •
Yes - On a case by case
basis the Board may
waive examination for
applicants holding
certificates issued by
most other States with
equivalent certification
requirements (provided
the State is a member of
ABC).

Authorization
Idaho Water and
Wastewater
Operators
Certification
Guidelines:
Revised October
1996.

• Program is
voluntary.

Certification Board1
Yes - Board consists of 8 -
10 members. 3 currently
employed water facility or
system operators holding a
valid certification of Class
III or higher issued by the
Board, 1 faculty member of
a college, etc, 1 Ad Hoc
member representing the
State Department of Health
and Welfare, 1 member
who is a certified operator
that holds a title of city
planner, etc, and 1 Ad Hoc
member(s) representing
CEU board.

Board Members will be
nominated by employers
(forlDHW)orby
associations they represent
(ID Assoc. Of Cities,
AWWA, etc.)

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Class based on population
served for distribution systems:

Class I: 1,500 or less
Class II: 1,501 to 15,000
Class III: 15,001 to 50,000
Class IV: 50,001 and greater

Water treatment plants and
very small water systems
(VSWS) based on a point
system which takes into
consideration types of
treatment.

VSWS: 30 points aiuk 500
people
Class I: s30 points
Class II: 31-55
Class III: 56-75
Class IV: >76

See Appendix A-3 for a
complete description of the
classification system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• Minimum experience: (All
education may be substituted
for specific work experience in
each Class)

Class I: 1 yr + GED or high
school diploma
C/oM//:3yrsexpOR18
months exp + 1.5 yrs of higher
education.
Class III: 2 yrs experience
Class II, 4 yrs total exp + 2 yrs
of higher education.
Class IV: 2 yrs experience as a
Class III (4 yrs total exp), + 4
yrs higher education.

For Classes III and IV, at least
2 yrs of operating exp must be
responsible charge exp.

To obtain Operator in Training
certification, completion of a
Board-approved training school
or 3 months onsite exp is
required. After passing an OIT
exam, obtain OIT certification
which lasts 3 yrs.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 566(71 of which
hold double certification -
water & distribution)
• Renewal period: annual

0.6 CEUs required for
renewal

Renewal application must be
received within 60 days of
expiration data or certificates
will become invalid.

Certificates of operators who
terminate their employment
will be valid for 2 years
without required renewal.
Operators whose
certificates are
invalidated may be
renewed provided
appropriate proof of
competency is presented
to the Board and
reinstatement fees are
paid.

If an operator's
certificate has been
revoked, he/she may
appeal the decision to the
Board - reccrtification
will be at the discretion
of the Board
Fees:
• Exam fee: $55
• Renewal: $30

Fee schedule set by
Certification Board of
Directors as deemed
necessary for financial
operation of program.

Funding:
All fees shall be deposited
in a fund to be used by the
Board for program
administration

Budget:
$26,700 (approx.)

FTEs: 0.75
Public water systems are not
required to have certified
operators.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Illinois
Illinois
Environmental
Protection
Agency; Bureau
of Water
Every PWS in Illinois shall have on its
operational staff at least one natural person
certified as competent as a water supply
operator.
Each CWS which includes coagulation,
lime softening, or sedimentation as part of
its primary treatment must employ at least
one person certified as a Class A water
supply operator.
Each CWS which includes filtration,
aeration and filtration, or ion exchange
equipment as part of its primary treatment
must employ at least one person certified as
a Class B or Class A water supply operator.
Each CWS which utilizes chemical feeding
only must employ at least one person
certified as a Class C, Class B or Class A
water supply operator.
Each non-exempt community public water
supply in which the facilities are limited to
pumpage, storage, or distribution must
employ at least one person certified as a
Class D, Class C, Class B or Class A water
supply operator

Total Systems
CWS: 1,810
NTNCWS: 486

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,472
NTNCWS: 486
Yes - The operators'
certificate must be valid
in a State, territory,
possession or country
with requirements ilL.
The region must also
extend reciprocity to
operators certified in IL.

Applicants must submit
an application and a fee
(no examination).
State of Illinois
Water Supply
Operator
Certification Law:
Chapter 111 '/2;
Paragraph 501-523

State of Illinois
Rules and
Regulations:
Title 35, Subtitle F,
Chapter II, Part 680
Yes- Water Supply
Operators' Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board
consists of the Director and
five other members
appointed by the Governor,
one of whom must be a
chief executive officer of a
municipality operating its
own municipal water plant.

Pollution Control Board, at
the sworn written request of
an applicant, registrant or
certificate holder, conducts
hearings or proceedings
regarding the IL EPA's
certification decisions.
Public Water Supply;

Community Water Systems:

Class D: distribution, storage,
pumping

Class C: groundwater with
disinfection, fluoridation

Class B: groundwater and iron
removal, ion exchange,
softening, or aeration

Class A: surface water or
GWUDI.

Non-community water systems
are classified by Department of
Public Health.
1. Tin's column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the
SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.
-------
State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
IL
• >70 % on class specific
exam
• Minimum experience:
Class D: high school +> 6
months of acceptable training,
etc, OR grammar school +> 1
yr training, etc.
Class C: high school +> 1 yr
equivalent training, etc., OR
grammar school +.>2 yrs
training, etc.
Classes A and B: high school
(or equivalent) +> 3 yrs
acceptable study, training, and
responsible experience, OR
grammar school +> 4 yrs of
acceptable study, training, or
responsible experience.
Credit towards the experience
requirement may be granted
based on the successful
completion of waterworks
courses/seminars. Such credit
cannot exceed 1 year of
experience unless the operator
has a 4 year degree in a related
field (e.g., natural sciences,
engineering). If so he/she may
use 1.5 years of school towards
the experience requirement.
* Every certified operator must
be able to read and write
English and must produce
evidence deemed acceptable to
the IL EPA as to their character
and actual hands-on experience.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 4,288
• Renewal period: every 3
years
(No re-examination is
required provided the
renewal is for the same
operator class.)

No CEUs.

Operators holding
certificates that have expired
for less than 5 years must
pay both a renewal and a
restoration fee; no additional
examination is required for
such operators.
Operators holding
certificates that have
been expired for more
than 5 years must
reapply. The
reapplication process
requires successful
completion of a written
examination to determine
competency for the given
operator class.

Recertification of
revoked certificates
depends on the original
ruling. If the ruling
specifies a specific time
period for which the
certificate is revoked then
the operator may become
recertified but he/she
must reapply.
Fees:
• $10.00 fee collected for
exam, issuance of
certificate, renewal of
certificate, and issuance of
duplicate certificate.
• $30.00 fee for applicants
without a valid IL
certificate or persons
applying for a classification
revision.

Funding:
All fees collected are
deposited into the .
Environmental Protection
Permit and Inspection Fund.

Fees cover <50% of cost of
running certification
program

When necessary, Bureau of
Water may apply for money
from the Permit and
Inspection fund for operator
certification.

Budget:
Data not available

FTEs: 1.8
The IL Pollution Control Board
is granted authority to conduct
hearings against any public
water supply owner for
violations of operator coverage
requirements contained in
Section 1 of the Act. The
violator may be penalized by a
fine between $100 and $1,000
for each offense.

IL EPA may suspend, revoke,
or refuse to issue certificates to
operators.

Action against systems may be
initiated by "concerned
citizens" or by regional
engineers (monitor approx.
once every three years)

Agency: IL Environmental
Protection Agency has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators. IL
Pollution Control Board has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against systems.
No. There is no
formal review
process, however
occasional
unannounced
reviews are
conducted by the
state attorney
general to determine
whether or not the
program is meeting
the requirements of
the State
certification law. In
addition the exam
committee reviews
the certification
exam once a year.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Indiana

Implementing
Agency
Indiana
Department of
Environmental
Management.

Coverage
Generally an operator's certificate grade
allows them to operate a public water
treatment plant or system of an equivalent or
lower grade.
Grade Facility Class
DS DS
DS-L DS-L, DS
CT CT
PF PF, CT
GF GF, PF', CT
AT AT, GF, PF, CT
SP SP
Each PWS must have a certified operator-in-
charge. However, an operator may be
designated in responsible charge of more
than 1 plant or system if he/she can show the
Department that he/she can provide adequate
supervision of systems.
Operator in charge-responsible for overall
daily operation, supervision or management
ofPWS.
Grandfather Clause:
A certificate issued on the basis of the
applicant having been in responsible charge
of a treatment plant or distribution system on
or before 7/1/72 remains valid until the
facility's classification changes or the
operator is no longer in direct responsible
charge.
Total Systems
CWS: 900
NTNCWS: 679
Total Covered Systems2
CWS:705
NTNCWS: No data available.
Reciprocity
Yes - Upon receipt of an
application and
associated fee, a
certificate may be
issued, without
examination to foreign
operators holding
certificates of a
comparable class, if the
certificate held is of a
standard not lower than
Chapter 273
requirements.

No continuing education
units will be required for
certificates transferred
by reciprocity.
However, after the
transfer, for all future
renewal periods, the
required number of
continuing education
hours must be earned
and credited.

Authorization
Certification of
Water and
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Operators, Acts of
1 967, Chapter 273,
asamended-IC 13-
1-6.

Indiana Statute -
Water Treatment
Operators, 1C 1 3-
18-11

Title 327 Indiana
Administrative
Code 8- 12,
Operator
Certification Rule.

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Water Distribution Systems:
systems serving at least 25
service connections used by
year-round residents or
regularly serving at least 100
year-round residents. Systems
serving fewer than 15,000
people are Class DS; systems
serving 15,000 or more people
are Class DS-L

Water Treatment Plants: plants
serving at least 25 service
connections used by year-round
residents or regularly serving at
least 1 00 year-round residents.
Water treatment plant
classifications are described in
Appendix A-4.

The Class PF treatment plant Operator is qualified for systems not using ion exchange and serving fewer than 15,000 persons.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

•

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
See Appendix A-4 for a
complete description of the
classification system.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,109

Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially

Contact Hours required:

Grade Training Hours
DS 5

DS-L 10
CT 10
PF 15
GF 15
AT 20
SP 20

Operators have 36 months
after expiration date to renew
certification
Recertification
Requirements
An applicant whose
certification has expired
after 36 months must
show proof of continuing
education before being
eligible to retake the exam
corresponding to their
certification grade.
Additionally, payment of
any arrearage fees is
required.

Revoked certificates:
Operator must wait 3
years before retaking
examination for
recertification.
Resources
Fees:
Certification Fee: $30.00
Duplicate/Replacement Fee:
$5.00
Biennial Renewal Fee:
$30.00

Funding:
All funds are taken from
State's general fund.

Budget:
No data available

FTE: 2.0 (professional and
technical staff)

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
"A person who violates 1C 13-1-
6 commits a class C infraction."
Each violation constitutes a
separate offense.

Agency: Department of
Environmental Management has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems and inspection of
facilities.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
Iowa Department
of Natural
Resources

Coverage
The requirement for a certified operator and
the number of operators required is
dependant on how the facility's shifts are
set up. The operator in charge shall hold a
certificate of the same classification of the
plant or water distribution system and of
equal or higher grade than the plant or
distribution system. Operator in charge
means the person(s) on-site directly
responsible for a plant or distribution
system. Any person who is responsible for
the operation of a plant operating shift or a
distribution subsystem and is under the
supervision of the operator in charge shall
be certified in a grade no less than a Grade
II level for Grade III and IV plants and
distribution systems and Grade I for all
other plants and distribution systems. (On-
site supervision may not necessarily mean
full time attendance at the plant or
distribution system.)

Total Systems
CWS: 1,156
NTNCWS: 134
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,156
NTNCWS: NTNCs are not required to have
a certified operator. However, currently,
100% of these systems are covered. (134)
Reciprocity
Yes - Case-by-case
Applicants certified
under another State's
mandatory certification
program which has been
accepted by the
Department as being
generally equivalent to
the Iowa examination,
education and
experience
requirements, can be
certified without
examination.

Applicants certified
under another State's
voluntary certification
program, may be
granted certification
upon completion of the
Iowa examination for
certification.

Authorization
Iowa Code - Title
VI, Chapter 81.

Definitions
contained in Iowa
Code section
455B.211also
apply to Chapter 81
Part 2 455.21 1-224.

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution Systems:
Classifications (Grade I-III)
based on system type ( 1 -
municipal and benefited water
districts, 2- rural water
districts) and pumpage in
MOD.

Treatment Plants:
Classifications (Grade I-IV)
based on 8 different types of
treatment ranging from iron or
manganese removal, aeration
and/or chemical additions to
using activated carbon for
THM or synthetic organics
removal and pumpage in MGD.

See Appendix A-5 for a
complete description of the
classification system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

All eligible applicants must
take and pass the written exam.
(Operators of systems serving
<250 people with no treatment
are exempt from this
requirement.)

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,119
• Renewal period: biennial

Continuing education:

Grade III or IV: 2 units or 20
contact hrs/ certificate/2 yr.
renewal period.

All other operators (except
1R): 1 unit or 10 contact hrs/
certificate/2 yr renewal
period.
An operator may not
continue to operate a
plant or distribution
system after expiration of
a certificate. If a
certified operator fails to
renew certification within
30 days following
expiration, the right to
renew automatically
terminates.
Recertification is allowed
at any time following
such termination,
provided the applicant
successfully completes an
exam.
Fees:
• exam: $20
• certification: $8
• renewal: $24
• late application penalty:
$12

Funding:
All fees go into a dedicated
fund for administration of
the operator certification
program. Additional
funding comes from other
programs since no there are
no full time employees for
operator certification (based
on staffing levels).

Budget:
Additional information on
program budget not
available.

FTEs: 0.25 (includes water
and wastewater)
-Enforcement procedures
against a system in violation
include: A letter with a
compliance schedule, a notice
of violation (NOV), an
administrative order, and/or a
court order.

Violations are most often
discovered during the renewal
process and through sanitary
surveys.

Agency: Department of Natural
Resources has jurisdiction in
enforcement against operators
and systems.
Yes - Ad Hoc
Operator
Certification
Committee reviews
program bi-monthly.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Kansas

Implementing
Agency
Kansas
Department of
Health and
Environment
(Bureau of
Water)

Coverage
Each PWS must have an operator who has
direct responsibility for supervising the
operation and management of the system
whose qualifications are commensurate
with the following.

Facility Operator Class
Small Small System, System
I, II, III, or IV

Class I I, II, III, or IV
II II, III, or IV
HI III or IV
IV IV

Any person designated by a governing body
or owner to have been in charge of the
operation or supervising the operation of a
water supply system on the effective date of
Article 45 was provided certification
without examination.
Total Systems
CWS: 916
NTNCWS: 79
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 916
NTNCWS: 79
Reciprocity
Yes - Upon receipt of an
application and
associated fee,
certification may be
granted, without
examination, to
operators of other
States, territories or
countries holding valid
certificates of a
comparable class.

Authorization
Kansas Statutes
Annotated Article
45 and Kansas
Administrative
Regulations 28-1 6-
30 through 28-1 6-
36.

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Small System:
—Distribution system only:
No limit on population.
-Chlorination only: < 501
people served
Class I:
--Chlorination:
501-1,500
-Treatment: < 501
Class II:
-Chlorination: 1,501-5,000
-Treatment: 501-2,500
Class Hi.
-Chlorination: 5,001-20,000
-Treatment: 2,501-10,000
Class IV:
—Chlorination:
> 20,000
—Treatment:
> 10,000

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• All operators must pass the
written exam for each Class.

Small Systems: 0.5 points, no
experience.

Class I: 13.0 points, 1 yr.

Class II: 14.0 points, 1 yr.

Class III: 16.0 points, 2 yrs.

Class IV: 18.0 points, 2 yrs.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,092
• Renewal required
biennially.

• Small Systems: Minimum
10 hrs of approved training
every 4 yrs.

• Class I. II. Ill, IV: > 10 hrs
of approved training every 2
yrs.

May renew up to 2 years
after expiration (with CEUs
and appropriate
reinstatement fee).
If>2 years after
expiration, must reapply,
pass exam and pay fees.

Operators who have their
certificates revoked may
become recertified but
they are treated as new
operators and must begin
the certification process
again.
Fees:
• OIT renewal: $5
• Exam: $25
• Renewal: $20
• Reinstatement: $35 (1
yr),
$45 (2 yrs)
• Correspondence course:
$40
• Reciprocity: $35

Funding:
All fees go into the general
fund.

Budget:
$60,000-$70,000
(from Dept of Health and
Environment, split evenly
between water and
wastewater)

FTEs: .75
Secretary of Health and
Environment can revoke a
certificate after an operator has
been given a hearing.

Persons violating provisions of
Article 45 or the rules and
regulations adopted pursuant to
this Act will be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction must pay a fine of
not more than $500.

Compliance:
-Field inspection staff conducts
review of records.
-Surface water treatment
facility records reviewed
annually.
-Others, depending on size
from once every 2 years for
larger facilities to once every 5
years for smaller facilities.

Agency: KS Dept of Health
and Environment has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.
No. Occasional
reviews are done
informally.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Kentucky

Implementing
Agency
Natural
Resources and
Environmental
Protection
Cabinet The
Kentucky Board
of Certification
of Water
Treatment and
Water
Distribution
System Operators
advises on all
aspects of the
program.

Coverage
All PWSs except semi-public (serving <3
families, or <15 service connections, or <25
people/ day) are required to have a certified
operator. Semi-public are also encouraged,
but not required.

All certified ORCs shall hold a valid
certificate in a class >that required for the
system under supervision. A certified
operator may be a person assigned
responsibility for the operational procedures
performed at the plant, or may be the person
supervising others in the performance of
operational procedures at the plant.

Class 1, 2bd. 3b, and 4b treatment plants
shall have 1 supervising certified operator
with certificate of competency in a class >
that of the facility.
Class 2a facilities must have a certified
operator >2a during the daytime shift, or
whenever water is treated. Procedures
performed outside of the daytime shift can
be performed under the supervision of a 2a
(not required to be on-site)
Class 3a plants must have a properly
certified operator at all times.
Class IVa facilities must have a IVa on at
least 1 shift. If more shifts are required to
meet demand, a 3a operator may serve as
ORC of subsequent shifts.

Total Systems
CWS: 501
NTNCWS: 106
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 501
NTNCWS: 106
Reciprocity
Yes - Certificates may be
issued in a comparable
classification, without
examination, to a person
who holds a valid
certificate in a State,
territory, or possession
of the United States, or a
country if the applicant
filed a complete
application, a certificate
was earned passing an
examination in the
reciprocal State, the
requirements for
certification under which
the certificate was issued
are > Kentucky; and the
same reciprocal
agreement is effective
for operators of
Kentucky.

Authorization
KRS Chapter 223
and 224; Kentucky
Department of
Environmental
Protection, 401
KAR 8:030

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory only
Kentucky Board of
Certification of Water
Treatment Plant and Water
Distribution System
Operators as described in
KRS 223. 160-223.220.
Board consists of two
members who are currently
employed at water treatment
facilities, one municipal city
manager, engineer, or
director of public works, one
member of the academia
who teaches in a field
related to water supply, and
one ex officio member
representing the cabinet.
Duties include reviewing
qualifications of applicants,
assisting in the cabinet's
preparation of examinations,
providing comments on
proposed regulations,
commenting to the cabinet
on training courses and
educational requirements,
advising the cabinet on
enforcement issues,
reviewing reciprocity
regulations, and providing
comments on proposed fees.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Classifications of distribution
systems are as follows
(population based):

Class 1:< 1,500
Class 2: 1,500-15,000
Class 3: 15,000-50,000
Class 4: >50,000

Classifications of treatment
facilities are as follows:

Class i. < 50,000 gallons of
water per day (g/day).
Class II: 50,000 to 500,000
g/day.
Class III: 500,000 to 3,000,000
g/day.
Class IV: > 3,000,000 g/day.

• All classes are subdivided to
the type of treatment
(primarily type of filtration)
used at plants.

Subcategory B= physical
treatment
Subcategory A= full chemical
treatment

I. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
All water treatment and water
distribution operators are
divided into Classes I, II, III, IV
with 12 subclasses.

• > 70% on class specific
exam

Class I (and subclasses): 1 yr
experience + high school
diploma or GED.
Class II (and subclasses): 2 yrs
experience + high school
diploma or GED.
Class III (and subclasses): 3 yrs
of experience + high school
diploma or GED.
Class IV (and subclasses): a
bachelor's degree from an
accredited college and 1 yr
experience.
• Experience can be
substituted for education,
and education may be
substituted for experience
(except for 1 year of base
experience).

I CEUS = 10 classroom hrs.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,793
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially

• continuing education
requirements:

Class I and //: 12 hours of
training.

C/aw///and/F:24hoursof
training.

*If an operator holds more
than one license, he/she is
only required to obtain the
training hours for the higher
license

Recertification
Requirements
A certificate terminates
one year after the
expiration date. If
renewal does not occur,
operator shall reapply,
pay applicable fees, and
pass an examination for
the classification for
which he is qualified to be
certified.

If disciplinary action has
been taken against an
operator's certificate,
he/she may file a petition
for a hearing to the
Cabinet. Recertification
of such certificates will be
at the discretion of the
Cabinet.

Resources
Fees* :
• Exam: $30
• Renewal: $20
• Late fee (renewal): $55
(includes regular renewal fee
and a $35 late fee)
• Reexam:$30
• Training: $10
• Reciprocity: $35

The amount of these fees
are set by the Cabinet each
year.

Funding:
• All fees shall be deposited
in an agency fund to be used
in carrying out these
provisions

Budget: Data not provided.

FTEs: 4.5 (includes training
and certification)

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
A person, firm or organization
(municipal or private) who
violates any provisions of KRS
223.160 to 223.220 or the rules
and regulations adopted
thereunder shall be liable to a
civil penalty not to exceed
$1,000.00 and an additional
$1,000.00 a day of operation
thereafter.

Violations may be discovered
through written complaints to
the Cabinet or unannounced
inspections by the Cabinet, as it
deems necessary to determine
compliance of certified
individuals with provisions of
KRS 223.405 to 223.460.

Agency: Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection
Cabinet has jurisdiction over
actions taken against operators
and systems, of Health on June
16, 1966 may, within discretion
of the cabinet, be issued a new
certificate without an exam.

Program Review1
No formal review.

1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in place
to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Louisiana
LA Dept. of
Health & Human
Resources (State
Health Officer)
upon
recommendation
s from the
Committee of
Certification
All PWSs (distribution and treatment) are
required to have a certified operator.

Operator definition - individual on-site of
PWS and whose performance, judgment
and direction affects the safety, sanitary
quality or quantity of water.

Operators of systems serving less than 500
persons (except systems utilizing either
surface water or groundwater under the
direct influence of surface water as their
source of water, with at least 15
connections and regularly serving a
minimum of 25 persons) shall be exempt
from the certified operator requirement.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,289
NTNCWS: 244

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,289
NTNCWS: 244
Yes - with any State,
territory or possession
of the United States,
having criteria for
operator certification >
Louisiana
State of Louisiana
Act 538 ofl 972
andR.S. 40:1141 to
1151 and Title 48,
Parts, Subpart 21
Yes - State Health Officer
appoints 9 member
Committee of Certification
to advise and assist in the
administration of the
certification program.
Members shall include:
operators of water works,
sewage works, or
municipal sewage
treatment plants eligible for
certificates of the highest
class, + 2 out of 8 reps
recommended by the LA
Municipal Association, + 1
rep of the Dept. of Health
Classification of facilities are
determined by population
served:

Class I: 500-1,000 people.
Class II: 1,001-5,000 people.
Class III: 5,001-25,000 people.
Class IV: > 25,000 people.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Class I: 12 yrs of education and
1 yr of experience.
Class II: 12 yrs of education
and 2 yrs of experience.
Class III: 14 yrs of education
and 3 yrs of experience.
Class IV: 16 yrs of education
and 4 yrs of experience.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 840
• Renewal period: biennially
(contingent upon receiving
16 hours of continuing
education)

Certificates that have lapsed
may be renewed provided
that all fees and penalties for
the intervening years are
paid, in addition to the fees
due for renewal.

The certificates of operators
who willfully terminate their
employment shall remain
valid for 2 yrs. After that
time, these certificates may
be renewed by providing
proof of competency to the
Committee. At the discretion
of the Committee,
reexamination may be
required.
Any certificate that is not
renewed after 2 years of
expiration is void and
reexamination may be
required at the discretion
of the committee.

Only a State Health
Officer can revoke an
operator's certification. If
the State Health
Department wishes to
have a certification
revoked, the Department
must give that request to
the State Health Officer.
Revocation follows State
administrative procedures
code.
Fees:
Collected by the Committee
for issuance, renewal,
and/or reciprocation of
certificates.

Flat fee for initial class of
certification issuance,
renewal and/or reciprocity:
$10.00

For additional classes of
certification issuance,
renewal, and/or reciprocity:
$5.00

Examination Fee: $5.00
Funding:
Revenues and Budget go
into and come from general
fund, respectively.

Budget:
$116,000/yr

FTEs: 2.0

Note: Water and
Wastewater programs are
combined.
Whoever violates any provision
of this Act shall be found guilty
of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction, shall be punished a
fine of $100.00 or imprisoned
not more than 10 days.
Additional fines and
imprisonment for each day of
operation in violation.

Violations may be discovered
by Health inspectors who make
regular inspections of drinking
water facilities.

Agency: LA Dept. of Health
and Human Resources has
jurisdiction on enforcement
issues.
Yes. Four times a
year, public
meetings with the
Committee of
Certification are
held to review
policies and
procedures.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Maine

Implementing
Agency
ME Dept. of
Human Services
and the State of
Maine Board of
Certification of
Water Treatment
Plant Operators

Coverage
Any system supplying drinking water to the
public (water districts, water departments,
and investor-owned water companies), are
covered under the scope of the law.
Certified operator requirement is one
operator with certificate equivalent to the
class of the system. No shift operators are
required. The Department may establish
classes of PWSs that are exempt.

Operators of water treatment plants or
distribution systems must hold a certificate
of the same class as the water system they
operate.

Grandfather Clause:
Certificates issued without an examination
prior to 1971 shall be exempt from this
requirement. Recertification requirements
will apply to these operators only if the
classification level is upgraded.

Total Systems
CWS:418
NTNCWS: 372

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 169
NTNCWS: 0

Reciprocity
Yes - with any State,
territory or possession
of the United States,
having criteria for
operator certification >
Maine.

Authorization
90:429: chapter 1 .
Board of
Certification of
Water Treatment
Operators, Rules
relating to the
Certification of
Operators of Water
Treatment Plants
and Distribution
Systems.

Certification Board1
Yes - State of Maine Board
of Certification of Water
Treatment Plant Operators

A 7-member board

* New board approved by
legislature and appointed by
the governor June 1 996.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Class I: distribution systems
and treatment plants (requiring
chemical control of operation
not included in Class II, III, or
IV) serving <1 5,000
Class II: distribution systems
serving between 1 5,000 and
50,000; treatment plants
requiring: a) chemical control
of operation designed to serve
> 15,000
b) chlorination requiring
bacteriological control
designed to serve <1 5,000
c) filtration, sedimentation,
and/or other complex treatment
designed to serve <2,000
Class III: distribution systems
serving <50,000 (except those
connected with Class IV
treatment plants); treatment
plants requiring:
a) chlorination requiring
bacteriological control
designed to serve > 1 5,000
b) complex treatment designed
to serve between 2,000 and
15,000
Class IV: all treatment plants
using complex treatment
designed to serve >1 5,000 and
any distribution systems
connected to them.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Successful completion of
Class specific written
examination.

Class I: High school education
or GED with 1 year experience
at Class I plant.
Class II: Must meet
requirements for Class I
operator and pass Class II
exam.
Class III: High school
education or GED, must have
passed Class I, II and III exams
and 2 years experience at Class
I or higher plant. 2 years of
additional education may be
substituted for 1 year of
experience.
Class IV: High school
education or GED, successful
passage of Class I, II, III, IV
exams and 4 years experience
in Class I or higher plant. 4
years of additional education
may be substituted for 2 years
experience.
Total Number of Active
Operators 682 (Class III and
IV operators may hold more
than one certificate-two at
most)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially

Certificates of operators who
terminate their employment
will remain renewable for 3
years.

Rccertification
Requirements
Upon a change in
classification, operators
must apply for
examination at the higher
class.

After 3 yrs., operators
who terminated their
employment and did not
renew their certificates
are subject to
reexamination and a
reinstatement fee.

Recertification of
operators with revoked
certificates will be done
at the discretion of the
Board, following a
hearing. A hearing shall
take place < 30 days after
notice of revocation.

Resources
Fees:
• Certification (with or
without exam): $25.00
• Reexamination: $25.00
• Reinstatement: $8.00
• Reinstatement of
certificate: $8.00
• Annual renewal: $8.00

- Fees pay for ABC exam

Funding:
self-supporting program

Budget:
$5,600 (approx.)

FTEs:
- Currently "borrowing
people" to run program; no
full time personnel.

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Any person violating any
provision of these rules shall be
fined no more than $500.00 a
day for each day found in
violation. In addition, the
Commissioner may commence
a civil action to convict and
punish the violator, to seek
injunctive relief to prevent
violation of these rules.

All enforcement is done
through the drinking water
program.

Violations are discovered a
variety of ways. For example:
• while reviewing reports,
• sanitary surveys,
• periodic inspections,
• failure to provide public
notice

Agency: ME Dept. of Human
Services handles enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
Department of
the Environment

Coverage
All operators and superintendents must be
certified.

Operator defined individually by system
classification

Systems with no treatment are exempt from
certified operator requirement.

NTNCWS:
compliance is voluntary unless system has
had violation in past - currently most non-
transients do not have a certified operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 513
NTNCWS: 502

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 513
NTNCWS: 0

Reciprocity
Yes -If the
requirements of the
other State are >MD,
reciprocity will be
granted on a case-by-
case basis.

Operator must do the
following:
-submit application with
fee
-possess valid certificate
from State other with
has comparable
examinations
-be employed or
awaiting specific
employment in MD
-satisfy education and
experience requirements
for the State of MD
-pay, upon approval,
certification fee
Authorization
Maryland
Environmental
Article §§12-101 to
12-602, Annotated
Code, and Title 26,
Subtitle 06,
Waterworks and
Waste Systems
Operators.

Certification Board1
Yes - Maryland Department
of the Environment, State
Board of Waterworks and
Waste System Operators

State Board: reviews
applications, interviews
applicants; prepares,
administers and determines
time and place of
examinations.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Classification of plants based
on type of treatment process
used.

Class I: Disinfection.
Class 2: Chemical Treatment.
Class 3: Simple Iron Removal.
Class 4: Complete Treatment.
Class 5: Site Specific
(alternative technological
plants not covered by
classification system)

1. Tin's column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Class of operator based on class
of facility.

• All operators must achieve a
> 70% on the class specific
examination.

Class 1 and 2: High school (or
GED) + 500 hrs or 1 yr
experience*.
Class 3: High school (or GED)
+ 1 800 hours or 2 years
experience*.
Class 4: High school (or GED)
+ 5400 hours experience or 3
years*.
Class 5: High school education
(or GED) + experience
determined by the Board*.

*In those cases where a choice
(hrs or year(s)) is given for
experience, the longer time
would apply.
Total Number of Active
Operators
840
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

Minimum Continuing
Education Units are as
follows:

Class 1 and 2: 1 6 units
Class 3 and 4: 30 units
Class 5: To be determined by
Board.

• Academic training
(involving an exam): 1 hr =
1 .5 units, all other training: 1
hr = 1 unit

Recertification
Requirements
If operator does not
submit renewal or late
renewal, s/he must apply
for reinstatement.

>3 years past expiration,
must reapply.

If a certificate is revoked,
it is generally under some
type of agreement -
generally 1 year,
however, case-by-case
determinations are made.

Resources
Fees:
• Exam, Reciprocity, &
Issue Certificate: $75
• Late Renewal &
Reinstatement: $150.00
• Replacement Certificate:
$25.00
• Replace Renewal card:
$15.00

Funding:
All fees go to the State
general fund.

Budget:
FY'98« $160,000

FTEs: 1.25(approx.)

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
The Board may revoke,
suspend, or refuse certification
after the operator is given a
hearing.

§12-504. Facilities that violate
any provision of this title or
any rule or regulation adopted
under this title is guilty of a
misdemeanor and on conviction
is subject to a fine not to
exceed $25 for each day of
violation.

Agency: Board of Waterworks
and Waste Systems Operators
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators.
Public Drinking Water Program
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against systems.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
Department of
Environmental
Protection

The Division of
Registration
issues the
physical
certificates

Coverage
Grade 3 and 4 systems must have a certified
operator on site during each shift.

Grade 1 or 2 systems may operate without a
certified operator with Board approval.

Coverage for treatment systems based on
complexity of system (more complex,
require more certified op.'s)

For Distribution systems, primary and
secondary operators must be certified. All
individuals on call (e.g., weekend shifts)
must be certified.

Exceptions:
1 -part-time operator for Grade 1 systems or
less.
2-automated operations for treatment
facilities.
3-non-community systems
4-satellite or seasonal facilities (remote
operations).
Operators defined individually by system
classification.

Total Systems
CWS: 525
NTNCWS: 229
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 525
NTNCWS: 229
Reciprocity
Yes - Reciprocity with
any State with standards
that meet the
requirements of MA.

Authorization
Massachusetts
General Law
(MGL) Chapters 13
and 112 and
Commonwealth of
Massachusetts
Regulations 236
CMR 2.00-5.00

Certification Board1
Yes - Consists of 7
members from: Dept of
Environmental Protection
(chairperson), Dept of
Public Health, Water
Resource Commission,
Registered PE, Labor
Organization, NEWWA,
and MWWA.

The Board prepares,
determines place and time
of, and grades the exams.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Facilities are classified by the
DEP as treatment (T) and
distribution systems (D) and
Water Vending Machines with
treatment (VNT/D) All non-
community systems are
classified as VSS.

Distribution systems are based
on population served:

VSS: 500 and less
Class I: 501-1,500
Class II: 1,501-15,000
Class HI: 15,001-50,000
Class IV: 50,001 and greater

Treatment Systems are
classified according to a point
system

VSS, Class I, II, III, IV.
Water Vending Machines
(VNT/D):
Class I: < 2000 g/day
Class II: 2001 -5000 g
Class HI: 5001 -SOOOOg
Class IV: >50001g
See Appendix A-6 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Successful completion of
Class specific written
examination.
• All experience may be
substituted for education.

Water Vending Machines :
Class I-IV: 3 months
experience or a certificate of
proficiency from machine
organization such as National
Automatic Merchandising
Association (NAMA)

Minimum requirements:
VSS: 6 months and appropriate
education and/or experience on
a very small system.
Grade I (D/T): minimum 8
years education and 6 years
experience.
Grade 2 (D/T)'. Possession of
Class 1 operator certificate and
minimum 1 year experience
after certification.
Grade 3 (D/T): Possession of
Grade 2C or D operator
certificate and Class II or
higher experience and 2
additional years experience
after certification..
Grade 4 (D/T): Possession of
Grade 3C or D operator
certificate and Class III or
higher experience and 2
additional years experience
after certification..
Total Number of Active
Operators: 3,016
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially

^5 training contact hours
(TCH)forVSS&VND
operators.
* 1 0 TCH for Grade I & II
operators
:> 15 TCH for Grade III
operators.
*20 TCH for Grade IV
operators.

For renewal, operator must
complete TCH requirements
and pay a fee.

After a certificate expires the
operator must also pay a late
renewal fee.

S/he may renew without
examination for period of
time after expiration
(duration is at the discretion
of the Board).

Recertification
Requirements
The Board has discretion
whether to require
reexamination after
certificate has expired.

Recertification of
revoked certificates
would be on a case by
case basis.

Resources
Fees:
• Application: $10.00
• Certification: $15.00
• Examination: $62.00
• Renewal: $15.00
• Late Renewal Fee: $25
• Board Budget « $500

Funding:
Fees go to the" general fund
(except exam fee-exams are
contracted out and exam
fees go to the testing
service)

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs:
— Division of Registration
handles all certificates,
including operator
certificates, in the State. It
is, therefore, difficult to
assess FTEs for the
Operator Certification
program.

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
.-Systems may be fined up to
$90/day.
-Operators may be fined up to
$25/day.

Violations are discovered either
through the sanitary survey or
through a complaint filed
against an operator or system
(complaint forms are sent to the
Board).

Agency: Board of Certification
of Operators of Drinking Water
Supply has jurisdiction in
enforcement actions against
operators. MA Dept of
Environmental Protection has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against systems.

Program Review1
No. Any assessment
that is done is
conducted through
ABC.

Implementing
Agency
Department of
Environmental
Quality

Coverage
All systems must have at least 1 operator-
in-charge certified to the level of the
facility. (It is up to the utility if more than
one certified operator is required to be
present.) However, the following
exemptions apply:

-type I PWSs*, if treatment used is only for
the control of hardness, iron, or other
primarily aesthetic concerns

-limited distribution treated water

-limited distribution system (e.g., apartment
building, condominium)

*type I = community water supplies
type II = non community water supplies —
NTNCWS fall under this category.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,467
NTNCWS: 1,674

Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 1,467
NTNCWS: 1,674

Reciprocity
Yes - For operator
certificates in a
comparable
classification and from
States with comparable
requirements for
certification. However,
due to staff limitations,
the current policy does
not allow for this.

Authorization
Administrative
Rules for Water
Treatment &
Distribution
System Operators
Act399,P.A. 1976
Part 19

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory Board of
Examiners
-determines time and place
of exams.
-reviews exams written by
the Division.
-recommends the
Department issue or deny
certificates.
- approves training or
continuing education
programs

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution (based on
population)
Sl:>20,000
S2: 4,000 - 20,000
S3: 1,000-4,000
S4:< 1,000

Treatment
Limited - Systems treated by
disinfection, fluoridation, iron
removal, and zeolite softening
(based on pop. and treatment
capacity).
Dl : >20,000 served OR > 5.0
mgd treated
D2: 4,000 - 20,000 served OR
2.0 - 5.0 mgd treated
D3: 1,000 -4,000 served OR
0.5 - 2.0 mgd treated
D4: <1 ,000 served OR < 0.5
mgd treated

Complete treatment (based on
pop. and treatment capacity)
Fl:>20,000 served OR > 5.0
mgd treated
F2: 4,000 - 20,000 served OR
2.0-5.0 mgd treated
F3: 1,000 - 4,000 served OR
0.5 - 2.0 mgd treated
F4: <1, 000 served OR < 0.5
mgd treated
There is also a special limited
classification (D-SL) which is
where treatment is employed
for health related purposes.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Based on an educational point
system, F2-F4 is the lower
classification. F-lmustbea
high school graduate with at
least 80 points. Level 4 is the
entry level for all Classes (F,
D, & S). Education points may
be substituted for experience.

See Appendix A-7 for a
complete description of the
classification system.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,771
• Renewal period: triennially
(except D-SL operators)

CECs or approved training
are required for renewal.
Must obtain a minimum of
24 hours or 2.4 CECs.

For F-4, D-4, S-4 (systems
for populations s 1,000),
must obtain a minimum of
12 hours or 1.2 CECs.
1 CEC = 10 contact hours

* Operators holding multiple
certificates within the same
class must only renew the
certificate of the higher class
May recertify (reinstate)
without reexamination if
apply within 1 year after
expiration and present
sufficient proof of
competency.
The failure of an
applicant to renew his/her
certificate shall constitute
grounds for refusing to
renew a certificate on an
active basis. Such
individuals may chose to
rewrite an exam for
which they are eligible to
recertify.

An operator whose
certificate has been
revoked shall not be
eligible for an
examination during the
period of suspension or
for 5 years from the
effective date or
revocation.
Recertification will be
granted upon
recommendation of the
advisory board, at the
discretion of the director.
Fees:
• No fees charged to
operators.

Funding:
Funding for operator
certification program comes
from federal grant (PWSS)
and the mandatory water
utility fee (based on
population served)

Budget:
$220,000 (comes from the
State general fund, Federal
funds, and, indirectly, from
fee monies)

FTEs:3 +
(additional assistance from
technical staff in writing
and grading exams, and
providing training)
Director handles enforcement
procedures against an operator.
These may include probation,
suspension or revocation of
certificate after notice and a
hearing before the Advisory
Board of Examiners.

Enforcement of the
requirements of a system are
handled by the District
Engineers. Through
maintaining close contact with
the systems, the engineers
generally know when a system
is out of compliance. Other
indicators include routing field
visits and treatment reports.

Agency: Department of
Environmental Quality has
jurisdiction over actionsjagainst
operators and systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Minnesota

Implementing
Agency
Minnesota
Department of
Health

Coverage
Certification is not required for all PWS
operators:
1) if have ^ 1 person certified at a level
2 class of facility and 2) have ^ 1 person
with full responsibility for daily operations
of facility (can be divided among
appropriately certified operators).

Operator definition - person who has direct
responsibility for operation of CWS or
operates a CWS in ways that would affect
the quality and safety of the water.

Operators can be in responsible charge of
more than one facility for each class as long
as the operator spends a certain amount of
time of week at the facility. Time is
determined by Commissioner.

Total Systems
CWS: 961
NTNCWS: 700

Total Covered Systems1
Data not available.

Reciprocity
Yes- with all States.
Reciprocity may occur
only when States's
operator certification
requirements are
substantially equivalent.

Authorization
Minnesota
Operator
Certification
Statutes: Sections
115.71-1 15.77 and
Operator
Certification Rules
9400.

Certification Board1
Yes - Water & Wastewater
Treatment Operators
Advisory Council
consisting of 1 1 members.
The Council consists of:
1-Dept. of Health, Division
of Environmental Health
1-PCA Water Quality
Division
3- certified operators of
water supply systems
3-certified wastewater
treatment operators
1 -representative from
organization representing
municipalities
2-members of the public,
not associated with water
treatment or supply
facilities

Commissioner of Health
issues certificates for water
supply systems operators
and maintains records.
Council serves as an
advisor to the
Commissioners only.
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Commissioner of Health and
classifies systems/facilities.

See Appendix A-8 for a
complete description of the
classification for all PWS.

•
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Operators must pass written 50
question examination with
^70%. At least one year
experience is needed in order to
take exam.

Four classes (listed from lowest
to highest):
Class D: 1 year experience

Class C: 3 years experience

Class B: 6 years experience

Class A: 8 years experience

H.S. diploma or GED required
for all operators. Experience
can be substituted with college
education.

Operator can never have less
than 1 year of experience to
take class specific examination.
Need fc70% on class specific
examinations.
Total Number of Active
Operators: Approx. 3,070
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

Each class of operator is
required to fulfill continuing
education as follows:

Class D: 8 contact hrs

Class C: 16 contact hrs

Class B: 24 contact hrs

Class A: 32 contact hrs

Operators may renew lapsed
permit up to three years after
expiration if they fulfill
continuing education
requirements for the specific
class.

Recertification
Requirements
After 3 years from the
expiration date, an
operator must reapply
and take the appropriate
examination.

An operator who has a
certificate revoked may
reapply and re-take the
exam one year after
revocation.

Resources
Fees:
• Application for exam:
$32
• Re-examination (in case
of failure): $32
• Issuance of certificate:
$23
• Renewal: $23
• Replacement certificate:
$10
• Reinstatement or
reciprocity certificate: $40

Funding:
Fees go to special revenue
fund in State Treasury.
Funding is subsidized by
State's general fund.

Budget:
$26,000 /yr

FTES: 1.0

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Violations are discovered by
anonymous tips from
concerned citizens.

Agency: Commissioner of
Health has jurisdiction on
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.

Program Review1
Yes. Four times a
year, meeting of the
Advisory Council
which advises Dcpt.
of Health on the
Operator
Certification
program.

Implementing
Agency
MS State Dept of
Health, Division
of Water Supply

Coverage
All PWS must have one certified operator
in direct responsible charge. One operator
may be in direct responsible charge for
more than one system.

Operator definition - individual who
directly supervises and is personally
responsible for the daily operations and
maintenance of a CWS.

As of July 1 997, all NTNCWS will be
required to have a certified operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,262
NTNCWS: 130

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,262
NTNCWS: 130

Reciprocity
Yes - Reciprocal
agreement with all
States that are members
of ABC.

Authorization
Municipal and
Domestic Water
and Wastewater
System Operator's
Certification Act of
1986 and MS State
Board of Health
Environment
Regulations Part
302.1-302.11

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
' Classifications based on
treatment
Class D: Systems with no
treatment other than
chlorination and fluoridation.
Also includes those systems
that purchase water and are
responsible for distribution of
the water only.
Class C: Systems with aeration,
pH adjustment, corrosion
control or closed pressure type
treatment facilities including
zeolite softening or iron
removal.
Class B: Systems with two or
more Class C treatment
facilities or different types or
with iron or manganese
removal facilities breaking
pressure or requiring
flocculation and/or
sedimentation.
Class A: Systems with surface
water treatment, lime softening,
or coagulation and filtration for
the removal of constituents
other than iron or manganese.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Class D: 1 yr experience while
working under certified
operator
Class C: high school + 1 yr
experience under certified
operator in Class A, B, or C
plant or if no HS, 3 yrs. exp
with one yr under certified
operator
Class B: high school + 3 yrs
experience with 1 yr under
certified operator in Class A, B,
or C plant or without HS, 6 yrs
exp with 1 yr under certified
operator
Class A: high school + 6 yrs
experience with 1 yr under
certified operator in Class A or
B plant or a BS in engineering
with 1 yr experience under
Class A certified operator or if
no HS 6 yrs experience with at
least 1 yr under certified
operator.
All operators must get ^70%
on examination for Classes
A,B,C.
Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not provided.
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

48 training contact
hours/renewal period that are
approved by Board.

Operators may renew permit
60 days after expiration

Recertification
Requirements
After 60 days
certification expires,
operators must take and
pass appropriate exam
and apply for new
certificate.

Information on
revocation is not
available.

Resources
Fees:
• Examination: $20.00
• Certification: $50.00
• Application for renewal:
$30.00

Funding:
Appropriations come from
Water Division's budget.
Water Division's budget
allocated from State general
fund.
Fees go into Water
division's certification
direct credit fund.
State also receives funding
from US EPA.

Budget:
$1 20,000 /yr

FTEs: 3.0 (certification,
enforcement and training)

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Systems and operators found in
violation may

• receive a notice of
violation,
• receive an administrative
order,
• be assessed civil penalties
>$100 and <$l,000/day of
violation,
• be required to provide
injunctive relief if public
health is threatened in any
way.

Information on how violations
are discovered is not available.

Agency: The Mississippi State
Board of Health has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
Information not
provided.

Implementing
Agency
MO Department
of Natural
Resources

Coverage
According to 10 CSR 60-14.010 the chief
operator of each PWS facility must be duly
certified by the department except during
periods of emergency, disaster or work
stoppage.

Untreated PWSs serving fewer than 50
service connections and fewer than 200
people shall be exempt from the operator
certification requirements provided that
they have demonstrated a history of safe
drinking water.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,413
NTNCWS: 230

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,079
NTNCWS: 0

Reciprocity
Yes - with any State,
territory or possession
of the United States or
any country or any other
certifying authority,
having criteria for
operator certification >
Missouri. Additionally,
the operator must have
working experience with
a public water system
(PWS) in the country,
State, territory, etc. that
issued the certificate for
which reciprocity is
requested, and currently
be working with a PWS
in the State of Missouri.

Any operator whose
certificate has been
revoked is not eligible
for certification by .
reciprocity.
Authorization
Title 10; Division
60; Chapter 14 of
the Department of
Natural Resources
Code (10 CSR 60-
R010-.030)

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
The Dept. classifies PWSs by:
volumetric capacity, source,
character of water being
produced, and complexity of
treatment. Classes are based on
a point system and categorized:
A-E, with Class A being the
highest. See Appendix A-9 for
a complete description of the
point system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
There are 5 classes of systems
(A-E). To be eligible to
operate, one must have
accumulated actual or
equivalent operational
experience and training.
Min. Requirement:
E: no education or exp.
needed.
D: 1 yr of actual water
experience or some form
of education.
C: 2 yrs or 1 yr. equivalent
education.
B: 4 yrs or 1 yr. equivalent
education.
A: 6 yrs or 2 yrs equivalent
education.
Equivalency is based on
education level:
high school grad=l/2 yr;
graduate of a certified
program=l yr; AA= 1 1/2 yrs;
BA or BS=2 yrs.
An exam must be taken by
those that do not have the
necessary water system
experience. (>70% is passing)
Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,520
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennial

Must have > 30 hrs of
approved training at
certificate level.

1 CEUs= 10 hours

Recertification
Requirements
Any certificate not
renewed within the 2
months following the
expiration date will be
considered lapsed. Any
operator with a lapsed
certificate will be
required to take an
examination.

Any person wishing to
become recertified after
revocation of a certificate
may do so after 1 year or
at the time determined by
the Department.

Resources
Fees:
• Initial Cert. $25;
• Exam $20;
• Reciprocity cert. $25-
$40;
• Renewal $45;
• Late fee $10-$20.

Funding:
No data available without
notification from NDWAC
working group.

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs: 1.5

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
"As of [1/1/87], no person,
firm, corporation, municipal
corp. or other governmental
subdivision or agency shall
operate a public water system
unless the competency of the
chief operator to operate the
facility is duly certified by the
department..." ...Any person,
firm,... who violates any
provisions of this rule will be
subject to the penalty
provisions of section 640.130,
RSMo. (Penalties not stated)

Agency: Missouri Department
of Natural Resources has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems and inspection of
facilities

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
MT Department
of '
Environmental
Quality

Coverage
Every PWS must have an individual in
responsible charge who is certified at that
system's class or higher at all times. The
individual must be on site or on call and
able to respond in a timely manner.

• Operators of plants or systems serving
less than 15 families or 25 people are
exempt from the certified operator
requirements.

Total Systems
CWS: 645
NTNCWS:218

Total Covered Systems'
CWS: 631
NTNCWS: 203

Reciprocity
Yes - with any State
having criteria for
operator certification >
Montana. Additionally,
the operator must be
currently working with a
system in the State of
Montana that requires a .
certified operator.

Authorization
MT Codes
Annotated: Title
37, Chapter 42-101
to 321 and Admin.
Rules of MT: Title
16, Chapter '18

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory only

7 members comprised of:
(2) certified water supply
system or treatment plant
operators, at least one of
which shall be certified at
the highest class;
(2) certified wastewater
treatment plant operators, at
least one of which shall be
certified at the highest
class;
(1) representative of
academia;
(1) representative of a
municipality holding the
position of city manager,
city engineer, director of
public works, works
manager, or the equivalent;
and a member of the staff
of the MT DEQ appointed
by the director.
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Water Distribution (in terms of
pop served):
• Class 5: < 100
• Class 4: 100-500
• Class 3: 500-2500
• Class 2: 2500-20k
• Class 1 : > 20,000

Water Treatment Systems
(according to pop. served and
type of treatment)
• Class 5: GW < 100
• Class 4: GW serving 100-
2500
• Class 3: Ground water
serving > 2500 people
• Class 2: Surface water
treatment not using chem.
coagulation.
• Class 1 : Chem. coagulation,
filtration, and disinfection.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• >70% on exam required
at each level
Education:
• HS diploma or equivalent
(for those certified after
6/9 1 ). Special exceptions
available.
Experience (at system
described for that class and
type)
Class 5: 0
Class 4: 6 mos.
Class 3: 1 yr.
Class 2: 1 '/j yrs
Class 1 : 2 yrs
(post-secondary ed. may be
substituted 2 to 1 up to '/•> of the
experience requirement)
Exemptions:
• If a system has been
modified or reclassified at
a higher level, and
evidence can be provided
to the dept. that the
present operator is fully
qualified to operate the
higher class system,
certification may be
granted at the higher level
without an exam.
• If an operator was in
responsible charge of a
system on July 1, 1967,
certification will be
granted under the grand-
father clause.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 1685
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: annually -
Operators must apply for
renewal prior to July 1

Continuing education credits
must be obtained for every 2
yrs of certification:

Class I: 2 CEUS
Classes II-IV: 1 CEUS
Class V: 4 contact hrs
1 CEUS =10 contact hrs

-Operators who terminate
their employment may renew
certificates annually for a
period of 2 yrs beyond the
expiration date of the current
certificate. After 2 yrs the
certificate is automatically
invalidated, and proper proof
of competency must be
presented to the department.
Reexamination may be
required at the discretion of
the department.

Recertification
Requirements
An operator who fails to
apply for renewal and
submit payment of fees
prior to July 1 shall have
his/her certificate
suspended.

If a certificate is
suspended for more than
30 days, it shall be
revoked, and
reapplication and
examination will be
required.

Resources
Fees:
• Application: $30
• Exam: $20/exam
• Duplicate certificates:
$10
• Renewal: $30

Funding:
Fees are deposited in
special funds to pay
expenses of operator
certification program.

Budget:
allocated $67,000/year

Also approximately
$45,000 from the SRF has
been allocated.

FTEs: 2.84 (may include
water and wastewater).

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
MT DEQ may revoke or
suspend an operator's
certificate.

Any person, firm or
corporation, both municipal
and private, violating any
provisions of Chapter 42 is
guilty of a misdemeanor. Each
day of operation in violation
constitutes a separate offense.
The MT DEQ may also impose
administrative penalties.

Violations are discovered
through both routine
inspections and continuous
monitoring to insure that each
facility has the minimum
number of qualified operators
to meet state requirements.

Agency: MT DEQ has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
No. The department
continually reviews
their procedures and
the certification
exam.

•

Implementing
Agency
Nebraska
Department of
Health and
Human Services,
Regulation and
Licensure

Coverage
All facilities must have at least 1 operator
who has been issued a Certificate of
Competency for the system he/she works.
An operator is the individual or individuals
responsible for the continued performance
or the water supply system or any part of
such system during assigned duty hours.
No backflow certified operators required.

Two or more public water supply systems
may share or utilize the services of a single
certified operator. The conditions for
shared operators are as follows: the
operator shall hold that grade required for
the operator of the highest classification of
the systems involved; the systems are
located so as to permit reasonable travel
time between work areas; each system
involved shall provide a local person or
persons to perform routine activities,
including collection of samples.
Companies or corporations established for
the purpose of providing operational service
to owners of public water supply systems
shall employ one or more persons holding a
certificate at the highest classification of
the system served.
Total Systems
CWS: 628
NTNC: 189
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 628
NTNC: 184
Reciprocity
No

Authorization
Nebraska Safe
Drinking Water
Act, Chapter 71,
Article 53 and Title
179, Chapter 2
Nebraska
Department of
Health and Human
Services,
Regulation and
Licensure;
Regulations
Governing Public
Water Supply
Systems, including
amendments.

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory Council on
Public water Supply
consisting of 7 members:
Governor appoints 1
engineer, 1 physician, 2
consumers, 2 operators of
PWS (one for >5000 people
served and one for <5000
people served), 1 owner of
PWS or member of
governing Board that
oversees PWS.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Classes I-V, based on
population served and
treatment involving filtration

Class V: NTCWS.
Class IV: CWS and NTNCWS
that don't use filtration
treatment and serve <2000
people and CWS that serve
<1 5,000 if purchasing from
another facility.
Class III: CWS and NTNCWS
using filtration that serves
<2000 and CWS that serves
2000-1 5,000 with no treatment
and CWS that serve > 15,000 if
purchasing water.
Class II: CWS and NTNCWS
that use filtration that serves
2000- 15,000 and CWS that
don't treat and serve 15,000-
50,000.
Class I: CWS and NTNCWS
that use filtration and serve
>1 5,000 and all other CWS that
serve >50,000 without
treatment.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• Grade VI: Successful
completion of exam
recommended by
Advisory Council.
• Grade V\ Pass water
samples exam
• Grade IV: Successful
completion of exam
following basic training
course and 2 yrs. of HS +
1 yr. experience.
• Grade III: Successful
completion of exam
recommended by
Advisory Council, HS
diploma + 2 yrs
experience.
• Grade II: Prior successful
completion of Grade III
exam, 2 yrs of college,
and 3 yrs experience.
• Grade I: Prior successful
completion of Grade II
exam, BS degree, +3 yrs
experience.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,867
• Renewal period: triennially

15 Hours of Continuing
Education every 3 years.

Class 5 exempt.
If certification is not
renewed operator must
reapply and re-exam.

Recertification of
revoked licenses is not
prohibited, however the
situation has never
arisen.
Fees:
• Application: $10.00
• Correspondence Course:
$80.00
• Training Course: $40.00
for each day.
• Other Fees: $50.00 for
individual examination
without taking training
course.

Funding and Budget: Data
not available.
FTEs:
-------
7/1/97
State
Nevada

Implementing
Agency
Nevada Bureau
of Health
Protection
Services -
Division of
Health

Coverage
PWSs must have operator in direct
responsible charge.

A person in responsible charge can be an
operator who is supervisor or shift operator.

The person in responsible charge does not
need to be on site during all hours of
operation.

Operators-in-training may have responsible
charge upon the request of the owner of the
system and the approval from the division.

Temporary exemption- Provisional
certification issued to persons "in
responsible charge" at specific PWSs that
are not supplied by surface water or
GWUDI.
Total Systems
CWS: 292
NTNCWS: 100
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 148
NTNCWS: 2 (because they involve surface
water)
Reciprocity
Yes - A certificate may
be issued to an operator
if s/he furnishes proof
that s/he is an operator
of a public system in
another State and pays
the applicable fee for
issuance of the
certificate set forth in
NAC 445.3684.

Authorization
Nevada Admin.
Code: 445.365-
445.3685 and
445A.870-
445A.895

Certification Board'
Yes - Advisory Board
appointed by the State
Board of Health pursuant to
MRS 445.3832.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution classes based on
pop served:
Class 1 25-500
Class 2 501-3,300
Class 3 3,301-lOk
Class 4 >10k

Treatment classes based on a
point system for pop served,
source, and type of treatment
employed:
Class 1 5- 19 points
Class 2 20-35
Class 3 36-45
Class 4 46 or more

See Appendix A- 10 for a
complete description of the
point system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• 70% on written exam
• Min. experience:
Distribution:
Class 1 6 mos.
Class 2 1 yr.
Class 3 2 yrs.
Class 4 3 yrs.
Treatment:
Class 1 6 mos.
Class 2 1 yr.
Class 3 2 yrs.
Class 4 3 yrs.
-- Up to half the experience
required in each class can be
substituted by counting every 2
days of college engineering
education as 1 day of
experience.
~ Certification for out-of-State
operators who have passed an
exam and have the required.
experience, or who are certified
by the CA/NV AWWA

Total Number of Active
Operators: not available -
605 Operator Certifications
(operators may be certified in
both distribution and treatment,
thus the number of actual
operators is less)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period:
biennially.
-Continuing education
approved by Health Division:
Class 1 & 2: 5 hours
over 2 years
Class 3 & 4: 10 hours
over 2 years
-These provisions can be
waived for reasons of
hardship or extenuating
circumstances, at the
discretion of the Health
Division.
-An expired full certificate
may be reinstated within 6
months of its date of
expiration by payment of the
reinstatement fee.
-If an operator terminates
employment, he/she may
renew the certificate for 2 yrs
after the date of expiration
(pay fees by 7/1 of following
year).

Recertification
Requirements
> 6 months after
expiration, a new
application for a full
certificate and
appropriate fees must be
filed as set forth in NAC
445.3684.

Operators who have their
certification revoked can
appeal to the state board
of health within 15 days
after they receive the
initial decision to revoke
their certification.

Resources
Fees:
Full cert. = $40; For out-of-
State = $40; For CA/NV
AWWA = $25; Op-in-
training = $40; Converting
operator-in-training to full
cert. = $25; Provisional
cert. = $25; Renew full cert.
= $25; Renew prov. = $25;
Renew op-in-training =
$25; reinstate and renew
full cert = $100

Funding:
All fees must be used to
defray the cost of issuing
certificates or paying other
expenses (e.g., travel)
incurred for op.
certification.

Income from fees:
FY'96=$1 1,500
YTD'97=$15,910

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs: 0.5

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Fines of up to $2,500/day for
systems in violation.

A PWS survey is conducted
every year for surface water
and every three years for
groundwater.

Agency: Information not
available on Agency presiding
over enforcement of systems.
Bureau of Health Protection
Services, Division of Health
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators.

Program Review1
No. There is no
formal review
process but there is
an ongoing, informal
self assessment.

•
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
New
Hampshire
New Hampshire
Department of
Environmental
Services - Water
Division
The regulations apply to community water
systems and non-transient, non-community
water systems. Transient systems are
exempt from the certified operator
requirements.

Facilities to which the law applies must
have an operator* equal to the class of the
facility. An operator may operate a plant or
system of lower grade than his/her certified
level, and any operator may operate more
than one facility (circuit rider).

*An operator is defined as the individual
who has full responsibility for the operation
of a water treatment plant or distribution
system and any individual who normally
has charge of an operating shift, or who
performs important operating functions
including analytical control.

Total Systems
CWS: 670
NTNCWS:413

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 670
NTNCWS:413
Yes - Certificates may
be issued in a
comparable
classification, without
examination, to any
person who holds a
certificate issued by the
appropriate certification
agency of any federal,
State, interstate,
territorial or other level,
if the requirements for
certification under
which such person's
certificate was issued
are > New Hampshire's.
Each operator applying
for a reciprocal
certificate must submit
a copy of the
certification
requirements for their
original certificate to
NHDES.
New Hampshire
Department of
Environmental
Services, Env-Ws
367, Section 7 of
14 and Chapter
332, Section E
Yes - Advisory only
Committee consisting of 5
members. The director (or
his designee); 2 appointees
from the governor
representing large and small
facilities that are members
of the New Hampshire
water works association,
and 2 members shall be
appointed by the governor
from outside the water
works industry and that
represent consumers.
Water distribution systems are
classified (Grade IA-IV)
according to population served
Grade IA: <500 people or 150
service connections (without
fire protection)
Grade I: <1,500
Grade II: 1,501 -15,000
Grade III: 15,001 -50,000
Grade IV: >50,000

Water treatment classification
based on plant complexity
point system. Points are
assigned depending on
population served, design flow,
type of treatment, and water
supply source.

Grades IA, I, II, III, IV.

See Appendix A-l 1 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Additional requirements for
each class:

Class IA: none.
Class I: 12 years of education
and one year experience.
. Class II: 12 years of education
and 3 years of experience.
Class III: 14 years of education
and 4 years of experience.
Class IV: 16 years of education
and 6 years of experience.

An operator may become
certified for a treatment facility
and a distribution facility by
completing the requirements
for both classifications.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 973 active
certificates (operators may hold
more than one license)
• Renewal period: biennially

The following Contact Hours
are required for treatment
and distribution certificate
renewal:

Grade IA: lOhrs
Grade I, II, III, IV: 20hrs

*State-run, 12-day training
program offered through
which operators can may
obtain some, or all, of their
required contact hours.
Operators whose
certificates have become
inactive must reexam.

Current policy enables
operators with revoked
certificates to recertify
right away.
Fees:
• Examination: $50
• Renewal: $50
• Reciprocal certificate:
$50

Funding:
All fees go to a dedicated
fund for the administration
of operator certification.

Budget: Data not available.
FTEs: 1.25
No water treatment plant or
distribution system shall
operate without a certified
operator unless exempt. The
owner shall pay $500.00 per
day for this and for any other
violation of this chapter.

Violations are discovered
through:
1) sanitary surveys, and
2) periodic review of the
database (2-3 times/year - tied
to exam schedule)

Agency: NH Dept. of
Environmental Services has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
New Jersey
New Jersey
Department of
Environmental
Protection -
Examination and
Licensing Unit,
General Services
The Department shall exempt PWS Class 3
and 4 automated facilities from having a
full time operator if owner or permittee
submits a written request. Unless exempt,
all systems will have a full time operator,
which is an operator who is in attendance at
a system for at least 35 hours a week, for at
least five days a week, and at least seven
hours a day during an ordinary one week
period.
Operator definition - person who performs
operational duties at a system which is
acceptable to the board.
Direct responsible charge - active daily, on-
site supervision, and operation and
maintenance responsibilities.

The Department has the right to limit the
amount of systems an operator is allowed
operate and the number of hours each
facility is required to have licensed
operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 614
NTNCWS: 1,039

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 614
NTNCWS: 1,039
Yes - Reciprocal
agreement with all
States that are members
of ABC.
NJ Administrative
Code Title 7,
Chapter 10A,
Subchapter 1
Yes - An Examining Board
appointed by Commissioner
comprised of personnel
from the Department and
actively engaged licensed
operators with at least five
years' experience with a
current Class 4 license.
State also has an Advisory
Committee on Training
appointed by the
Commissioner. Committee
is comprised of at least
three representatives from
the department, one
certified operator, one from
the education committee
from the NJ Water
Environment Association,
one member each from a
wastewater and water
authority, two members
from environmental groups,
and two members from
State educational
institutions.
Distribution Systems:
Wl - W4 (based on population
served)
W1:>\Q\ -<1501
Wl: 1501 -15000
W3: 15001 -50000
W4: >50000
Treatment Systems:
Tl - T4 (based on point
system)
77:<30pts
72: 31-55 pts
T3: 56 - 75 pts
T4: >76 pts

See Appendix A-12 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the
SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.
-------
State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertiflcation
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
NJ
Minimum admission
requirements for the licensing
exam (W and T):
Class I: High school (or
equivalent) + 1 yr experience,
OR Associates + 1 yr
experience, OR Bachelors + 1
yr experience
Class 2: High school (or
equivalent) + 3 yrs experience,
OR Associates + 2 yrs
experience, OR Bachelors + 1.5
yrs experience
Class 3: High school (or
equivalent) + 3 yrs experience
+ 3 yrs direct responsible
charge (DRC), OR Associates +
2 yrs experience + 2 yrs DRC,
OR Bachelors + 1.5 yrs
experience + 1.5 yrs DRC
Class 4: High school (or
equivalent) + 6 yrs experience
+ 4 yrs direct responsible
charge (DRC), OR Associates +
4 yrs experience + 3 yrs DRC,
OR Bachelors + 3 yrs
experience + 2 yrs DRC

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,285
• Renewal period: annual
(must occur prior to Sept.
30)

CEUs: State is having on-
going discussions on this.
There will be an amendment
to the rules.

Operator has 1 year to renew
certification after expiration
date with late fee.
If operator does not
submit renewal fee one
year after the September
30 expiration date, the
licensee shall not receive
a new license unless he/
she meets the current
requirements for the
license and until he/she
successfully passes
another qualifying
examination.

Any person whose
license has been revoked
for the first time shall be
ineligible for an
examination for a new
certificate for a period of
one year from the
effective revocation date.
Fees:
• Application: $35.00
• Initial License: $25.00
• Annual License: $20.00
• Late Renewal: $10.00

Funding:
Appropriation from State's
general fund.

Budget: Data not available.
FTEs: 2.0

Training courses are offered
through community
colleges and vocation
technology schools.
Procedures may include: Civil
administrative penalties up to
$5,000 for each offense or
injunctive relief.

Operators are required to
perform and record regular
inspections and submit these
findings to the NJ Department
of Environmental Protection.

Agency: New Jersey
Department of Environmental
Protection has jurisdiction on
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.
Yes. Once every 2-3
months. Board of
Water holds
meetings open to
public.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board'
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
New Mexico
NM Water
Quality Control
Commission -
Licensing Board
All public water systems serving >25
people, >60 days of the year, shall employ a
certified operator. The certified operator or
certified supervisor must hold a certificate
greater than or equal to the level of the
facility.

Any operation or maintenance activity
(with the exception of sampling and meter
reading) that will impact or have the
potential to impact water quality requires a
certified operator on site when those
activities are performed.

Total Systems
CWS: 636
NTNCWS: 153

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 636
NTNCWS: 153
Yes - Case-by-case;
with any State, territory
or foreign jurisdiction of
the United States or any
country or any other
certifying authority,
having criteria for
operator certification >
New Mexico.
NMSA1978§§61-
33-1 to 10

Regs: Title 20,
Chapter 7, Part 4.
Yes - Advisory board
comprised of 7 certified
operators. The board has
representation on the
licensing board (2 of the 15
members on the licensing
board are certified operators
from the advisory board)
Distribution:
Distribution of Treated SW or
Chlorinated GW: pop served
<500 = Class 1; 501-20k =
Class2;>20k = Class3.
Distribution of Unchlorinated
GW: pop served < 5k = Class
l;5k-20k = Class2;>20k =
Class 3.

Treatment:
PWSs receive one of six
different classifications, based
on population served and type
of treatment employed: Small
Water (SW), Advanced Small
Water (SWA), 1,2, 3, or 4.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
All operators must:
• Have reached the age of
majority (18 years old).
• Pass an examination
(except some operators
who were employed at
systems serving <2,500
persons prior to 7/1/93).

Experience Requirement
-SW, SWA, and Class 1: 1 yr
exp + 10 training credits
— Class 2: 3 yrs exp + 30
training credits
- Class 3: 5 yrs exp + 50
training credits
~ Class 4: High school (or
GED), 1 yr as a class 3
certificate holder, + 80 training
credits.

The regulations allow certain
specified substitutions (e.g.,
education used in place of exp
or training), but 1 year is
generally the min amount of
exp allowed.

Temporary certification may be
issued to a system operator for
a period of up to 6 months
while that operator acquires
training or until a certified
operator is engaged.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 1 ,737 (5 people
possess both distribution and
treatment)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

• 30 training credits

All certificates expire the last
day of the certificate holder's
birth month.

• Certificates may be
reinstated without penalty for
up to 30 days after
expiration.

• After 30 days, and within
one year of the expiration
date, certificates may be
reinstated upon reapplication
and payment of a $5/month
penalty.

Recertification
Requirements
• After 1 year, any
certificate which has not
been reinstated will
require reexamination.

Resources
Fees*:
$1 5 for each Dept. action,
such as examination;
$10 for issuance of a
temporary license;
$25 for certification without
examination;
$15 for renewal
$5/certificate/month for late
renewal

*Amount for fees limited
by ceiling in State statute.

Funding:
After being held one month
for refund purposes, all
receipts go into the State
general fund.

Additional funding obtained
from water system
"conservation fee" and
Federal PWSS grant.

Budget:
$140,000 (approx.)

FTEs: 3.0

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
If the Certification Act or
related regulations are violated,
the commission may:
— Issue a compliance order to
require compliance, assess a
fine not to exceed $2,500 or
both.
— Commence court civil
action for appropriate relief,
including an injunction.
— Failure to meet a
compliance order can be fined
up to $5,000 per day.
— Compliance orders can be
appealed in public hearing.

Violations are generally
discovered one of three ways:
1 ) sanitary surveys- trainers
and technical assistance staff in
the field; 2) public complaints;
3) semi-regular staffing surveys

Agency: NM Water Quality
Control Commission has
jurisdiction over enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
NY State
Department of
Health

Coverage
Each PWS must be under the responsible
charge (accountability for and performance
of active regular onsite operation,
maintenance and supervisory functions) of
an operator certified > the grade of the
system and an assistant operator with the
following required minimum grade of
certification (listed below). The assistant
operatoj is a person who, under the
direction of a certified water treatment
operator, is involved in the day-to-day
operation of a water treatment plant or a
major segment of a water treatment plant.
Type of Plant Min. Grade
Grade D: None
Grade C: None
Grade IIB: CorllB
Grade IB: IIB
Grade IIA: IIA
Grade IA: IIA
The majority of systems have all operators
certified.
Exemptions: .
Water systems serving fewer than 1 5
service connections or less than 25 people
are exempt from the certified operator
requirements.
Total Systems
CWS: 3,383
NTNCWS: 753
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 3,383
NTNCWS: 753
Reciprocity
Yes - on a case-by-case
basis with any other
State or Canada,
provided that the criteria
for operator certification
> New York.

Unless credentials are
impeccable,
certification at the upper
grade levels (IA, IB)
will not be granted
through reciprocity.

Authorization
Public Health Law,
Article 2, Sec. 225

Chapter I State
Sanitary Code,
Subpart 5-4:
Classification of
CWS Operators (as
amended— see
Attachment)

Certification Board1
No.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Grade D: Distribution system
(no plant), serving more than
100 people.
Grade C: Plant serving < 1000
people, no filtration
Grade IIB: < 2.5 MOD but >
1000 people, no filtration
Grade IB: Plant > 2.5 MGD
without filtration
Grade IIA; Plant s2.5 MGD
with filtration
Grade IA: Plant > 2.5 MGD
with filtration
A Grade D certificate is needed
along with A or B for operating
a plant and distribution system
for population si 000.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Experience Requirement
Grade IA: 10 yrs experience, 1
yr. at IA facility.
Grade IIA: 1 yr at filtration
plant
Grade IB: 10 yrs. at plant
Grade IIB: 1 yr. at plant
Grade C: 6 mos. at plant
Grade D: 1 yr. at "D" facility

Education Requirements
Grade IA: IIS diploma or GED,
completion of required course
(60 hrs)
Grade IIA: HS diploma or
GED, completion of required
course (60 hrs)
Grade IB: HS diploma or GED,
completion of required course
(30 hrs)
Grade IIB: HS diploma or
GED, completion of required
course (30 hrs)
Grade C: Completion of
required course ( 1 8 hrs)
Grade D: Completion of
required course (15 hrs)
Note: Number of hours were
listed in a fact sheet, not in the
regulations.
Regulation allows for
substitution of higher education
for yrs. of experience.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 6,784
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period:
every 4 years

Grades A and B: 3.0 CEUS
in 4 yrs.
Grade C: 1 .5 CEUS in 4 yrs.
Grade D: Verification of
work history and address

1 CEUS = 10 contact hours

Recertification
Requirements
An individual who allows
his/her certification
renewal to lapse for more
than 1 year will be
required to repeat the
type and amount of
experience and/or
training required for that
grade of certification.

At the discretion of the
Director of Operator
Certification program a
one time, six month
extension may be given
under extenuating
circumstances. The
request must be made
while the operator is still
certified.

Resources
Fees:
• No fees

Funding:
Revenue for operator
certification program comes
from the State general
purpose fund.

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs: 1.0

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
For violations by a system,
there is an Administrative
Tribunal (AT10 Process). This
includes:
• a hearing before the
"judge."
a presentation of
evidence.
• possible fines of up to
$5,000.

Compliance:
• Monitoring by Bureau of
Public Water Supply
Protection is done
annually.
• Other monitoring may be
done by local county
health departments.
• All systems (except C)
must submit monthly
operation reports (include
grades and certification #s
of operators).

-Grade C may file on quarterly
basis if approved.
Agency: NY State Department
of Health has jurisdiction on
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.

Program Review1
No. There are
several informal
review processes but
no formal ones. The
director continually
monitors the schools
and institutions that
conduct the training.
S/he does this by
either directly
monitoring the
operator certification
course or by sending
out evaluations to
those who have
taken the course. In
addition, the
program is
occasionally visited
by state auditors.

1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to Slates was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
North Carolina
NC Water
Treatment
Facility
Operators Board
of Certification
under the Dept.
of Environment,
Health, and
Natural
Resources
Treatment:
There shall be an operator in responsible
charge, with certification equal to or above
the classification of the facility, for each
well that adds chemicals to the water.
Groundwater treatment only needs a
designated operator in responsible charge
(ORC) (does not have to be on site at all
times)

There shall be an operator with > a Grade C
surface certification on the premises when a
Class A, B, or C surface water facility is
treating water. Each surface water
treatment facility must have a certified
operator on each shift.

Distribution:
There shall be an ORC for the distribution
portion of CWS serving >3,300 service
connections. This operator shall be
certified at the Grade level > the
distribution classification of the facility.

-- An operator is any individual who
operates, maintains, or inspects water
treatment facilities.
Total Systems
CWS: 2,309
NTNCWS: 701

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 1,547*
NTNCWS: 470*

*These figures are estimates
Yes - with any State,
territory or possession
of the United States
having criteria for
operator certification >
North Carolina.

The applicant must live
or work in N.C.

S/he must pass a North
Carolina exam at the
respective operator
classification level.
Article 2 of the
General Statutes
(90-A-20 through
90-A-33) and North
Carolina
Administrative
Code Title ISA,
Subchapter 18D,
Sections .0101-
.0601.
Yes - Water Treatment
Facility Operators Board of
Certification. Consists of
eight members appointed by
the governor.
Members shall include: a
current water treatment
facility operator, managers
of NC municipalities using
a surface water or treated
groundwater supply, an
employee of a NC
municipality (Director of
Utilities, etc.), an employee
of a private water utility, a
faculty member of a 4 yr
college or university, a
member of the Dept. of
Environment, Health, &
Natural Resources, a rep of
the public at large

• The Board has the
authority to develop and
adopt regulations for
administration of
statutes.
• It tests and certifies
operators.
• The Board of Examiners
prepares and grades
exams.
There are three types of
classifications which are
defined by the source of the
water and the type of facility
(treatment or distribution):
surface water, well water, and
distribution. Within those
classes are 3 grades: a-c.
Surface and well water systems
are classified based on a point
system (unless they are not
classified, then they are based
on the # of connections). See
Appendix A-l 3 for a complete
description of the point system.

Classification of distribution
systems is based on # of
connections.

Class C:>100 and <1001
service connections

Class B: slOOl and <3300
service connections

Class A: a 3300 service
connections
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Surface (A, B, C)
Well (A,B,C)
Distribution (A.B.C)
See Appendix A-13 for a
complete description of the
various classifications of
operators.

Note: educational equivalent=
bachelor's degree in natural or
physical sciences OR diploma
in water and wastewater
technology from 2 year
program (with this, operator
starts at Grade B and works
toward the 6 month
requirement)
Total Number of Active
Operators: 5,600
• Renewal period: annually

All certificates expire on the
first day of the new calendar
year. If renewal fees have not
been paid by the first day of
February, certification
becomes delinquent.

After February 1, pay late fee
of $30 (paid each year
certificate is delinquent).
If an operator fails to
renew his/her certificate
and allows it to lapse for
5 years, the certificate
shall be revoked.

Then, the operator must
reapply and pass the
exam again.

If a certificate is revoked
for any reason other than
the above, it is unlikely
that operator would be
eligible to reapply.
Fees:
• exam and certificate: $20;
• temporary certificate:
$18; Renewal charges: $18;
Late fees: $30 (plus the cost
of the certificate)

Funding:
All fees are dedicated to
operator certification. The
program is self-supporting
(with volunteers).

Budget:
Operator certification
budget = $100,000

FTEs: 2.0 (does not include
volunteers)
Upon recommendation of the
Board of Certification, an
administrative civil penalty
may be imposed on any person,
corporation, company,
association,... who violates
G.S. 90A-29(a). Each day of
violation = separate offense.
Penalty <$100/day.

PWS office/division has the
power to enforce regulations
for systems with fines of up to
$5,000/day.
Violations may be discovered
by sanitary surveys, public
complaints, and through a
cross-comparison of water
supply system records and the
records on operators.

Agency: Water Treatment
Facility Operators Board of
Certification has jurisdiction in
enforcement actions against
operators. North Carolina
Dept. of Environment, Health,
and Natural Resources has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against system owners.
No formal review.
Annual report
provided to the
Governor.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
North Dakota
North Dakota
Department of
Health
Operator certification is mandatory for all
persons in direct responsible charge of the
operation or maintenance of all public water
treatment facilities, water distribution and
storage systems, and wastewater facilities.
Direct responsible charge (DRC) means full
and active performance of onsite operation,
where the operator is responsible for
technical support of the facility or system
and provides direction to other operators.
Operator (in DRC) must be onsite or on call
during major shift operations and is
responsible for the operation of a major
segment of a facility/system, or is the sole
person employed as the facility or system
operator. At a minimum, an operator in
direct responsible charge shall hold a
certificate equal to the classification of the
system or facility where he/she is employed.

Facilities with chemical treatment need at
least 1 certified operator.
Facilities with distribution systems need one
certified operator.

Remote certification: One operator may be
in direct responsible charge of more than one
facility with amount of time and duties
determined by city, municipality, etc.
Surface water systems shall have certified
operator. Well water facility is exempt from
having a certified operator if there is no
treatment.
Total Systems
CWS:318
NTNCWS: 35
Total Covered Systems1
CWS: Approx. 300
NTNCWS: Approx. 12
Yes - with any State,
territory or possession of
the United States having
criteria for operator
certification > North
Dakota.
North Dakota Code
Annotated Chapter
23-26 §23-26-01
through §23-26-09
and North Dakota
Rules Article 33-19
Chapter 33-19-01-
(01-16)
No
Distribution/storage systems
(based on population served):
Class la: <500
Class 7:500 to 1,500
Class 11: 1,500-15,000
Class 111: 15,000-50,000 Class
IV: >50,000

Treatment facilities:
Class la: all water facilities,
simple chemicals <500 served;
Class I: 500 to 5,000;
C/0M//:a~5,000-l5,000&
chemical treatment; b-< 1,000
& chemical softening; c--< 1,500
& coagulation, sedimentation &
filtration; d--<2,000 & chemical
oxidation of iron, manganese,
etc.; e-<2,000 & uses other
methods than the above.
Class 111: a-e--same treatment as
above, but different population
sizes; Class /Fa: ->5,000 &
chemical softening; b--> 10,000
& coagulation and
sedimentation; c--> 15,000 &
chemical oxidation of iron; and
d--> 15,000 & other treatments.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Written examination
• Minimum experience:

Grade IA: High School + 6 mos
experience.

Grade I: High School + 1 yr.
experience.

Grade II: High School + 3 yrs.
experience

Grade HI: High School + 4 yrs
experience

Grade IV: High School + 5 yrs
experience

College may be substituted for
some experience on Grades II,
III, IV.
Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not available
Total Certificates: 718
(Some certified operators may
hold more than one certificate
thus the number of actual
operators is less.)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period = annually
(all certificates expire on
July I)

CEUs: must earn at least 12
hrs in 3 yrs. (Can attend
seminars, workshops, and
training.)

An operator whose
certification is invalidated
due to failure to renew may
apply for renewal within one
year following the
certificate's expiration date.

Recertification
Requirements
Failure to renew a
certificate for a period of
more than one year
following expiration of
the certificate will require
recertification by
reapplication,
reexamination, and
payment of fees.

Certificates which have
been revoked for a cause,
invalidated, or replaced
by one of a higher grade
are not renewable. The
suspension period is
determined by the
Department.

Resources
Fees:
• Certificate: $10
• Renewal: $5

Funding:
Money is taken from State
revolving loan program
where fees are deposited and
the Drinking Water Program
budget.

Budget:
Revenue from fees: $1 1,570
Budgeted money: $3 1,984
Total to operate program:
$43,554

FTEs: 1-1.5

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Violation of any operator
certification rule is a Class A
misdemeanor.

North Dakota Department of
Health has jurisdiction on
enforcement issues.

Facilities are inspected at the
discretion of the Department.

Agency: Department of Health
has jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

'
Program Review1
No. There is no
program review that
takes place. The
exams themselves
are reviewed and
updated, but once the
rules and regulations
arc established it is
very difficult to
change.

Implementing
Agency
Ohio
Environmental
Protection
Agency

Director of OH
EPA classifies
facilities,
determines time
and place of
exam.

Coverage
Regulation applies to Public Water Systems
(PWSs) serving population >250 or if
director has determined that a health hazard
exists.

Operator in "responsible charge" must be
certified at or above level of facility.

Responsible charge= responsible for on-site
supervision of technical operations and
maintenance of a PWS or wastewater works
or parts which affect the quality of water or
performance of facility.

Grandfather Clause:
An operator certified prior to 1980 is
exempt from all certified operator
requirements except payment of fees (tied
to specific system).

Total Systems
CWS: 1,462
NTNCWS: 1,129
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 923
NTNCWS: 770
Reciprocity
Yes - with certificate
issued by another State
and proof of :

• employment in PWS
or wastewater works
in OH that requires a
certified operator

• passed examination
^ OH standards

Authorization
Ohio Revised
Code, Sections
3745,6109, &
6111

Ohio
Administrative
Code §§3745 -
3747

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory Board of
Examiners
Advises Director on:
• classification of
facilities
• qualifications of
operators
• content of examination

also,
• reviews applications for
exam and advises
director which
applicants meet the
requirements to take the
exam.

• reviews exams and
recommends
issuance/non-issuance of
certificates to director

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution Systems:
Class I or 11 only based on
complexity of distribution and
storage, amount of
consumption, and potential for
health hazards.

Treatment Plants:
Each public water system is
classified I-IV based on source
of supply, quality of source,
complexity of treatment,
complexity of distribution,
amount of consumption, and
the system's potential for
health hazards.

See Appendix A- 14 for a
complete description of the
point system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Written examination (or
in special cases, oral
exam)
• Minimum experience:
Class I-III: high school +1,3,
5 years, respectively, of
experience with PWSs
Class IV: valid Class III
certificate + 2 yrs. in charge of
a III or IV PWS OR valid Class
III and demonstrated ability for
at least 2 yrs as an assistant to
the individual in responsible
charge of a Class IV.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 7,115

Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: every 2
yrs. (no further renewal
requirements, i.e. CEUs)

Certificate expires on 12/31
of second year after issue,
every 2 years afterwards.

If >30 days, but <2 years
after expiration, pay renewal
+ late fee

Recertification
Requirements
If >2 years after
expiration, must

• reapply
• pay required fees
• pass exam

After a period of 12
months, the director may
reinstate any person
whose certificate has
been revoked upon the
presentation of evidence
which warrants such
reinstatement.

Resources
Fees:
• Initial, Limited
Certification
(Grandfathered) and
Reciprocity--
Class I - $25;
Class II - $35;
Class III - $45;
• Replacement: $5;
• Renewal: $15
(plus $10 if delinquent).

Funding:
All fees are deposited into a
dedicated "drinking water
protection fund" to make
program self-supporting.

Budget:
$235,000 (for water and
wastewater)
FTEs: 1.5
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Director of OH EPA may
revoke certificates of negligent
operators, or work with county
prosecutors in the event of
falsification of data.

Information not available on
actions against systems in
violation.

Violations are generally
discovered through inspections
conducted during sanitary
surveys.

Agency: OH Environmental
Protection Agency has
jurisdiction over enforcement
actions against operators.
Information not available on
Agency presiding over systems.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
OK Department
of
Environmental
Quality

Coverage
All CWSs are required to have a certified
operator.

All non-community water systems (serving
< 1 5 service connections or < 25 people)
and waterworks/wastewater works which
only maintain & submit operation records/
analysis are exempt. Additionally,
exemptions may be requested in writing for
small purchased water supply systems
protected by plumbing ordinances.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,202
NTNCWS: 150

Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 1,202
NTNCWS: Data not available.
Reciprocity
Yes - an operator with a
valid certificate from
any State with
comparable
requirements for
certification may be
granted a certificate in
OK without an
examination if that State
will do the same for an
operator from OK.

Authorization
Chapter 700
(252:700-1 to
252:700-13)
Waterworks and
Wastewater Works
Operator
Certification

•

Certification Board1
Yes - Advisory only
9-member council
consisting of:
3 - valid certificate holders
from municipal
waterworks;
1 - representative of higher
education;
1 - from list of nominees
from OK Municipal
League;
2 - from list of nominees
from OK Rural Water
Association; and
2 - from list of nominees
from OK Water Pollution
Control Agency.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Temporary Cert.: Available for
those who are in the process of
obtaining a Class D
certification (not available for
superintendents).
Class D: distribution systems
or chlorinated GW systems that
serve < 1500.
Class C: all plants 1,500- 15k,
surface water plants 25-1,500
or GW systems that use
treatment other than
disinfection serving 25-1500.
Class B: 15k-50k
Class A: > 50,000

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Age Requirement
• At least 1 8 years old
At least 1 7 for temp. cert.
Examination Requirement
• Written examination (or
provide proof of
certification in a State
with similar
requirements)
Experience Requirement
• Temp: none
• Class D: none
Class C: 1 yr.
• Class B: 3 yrs
experience, of which 1
must be hands-on
• Class A: 8 yrs
experience, of which 3
must be hands-on
operating experience
Training Requirement
• Temp: none (in process of
arranging training)
Class D: 16 hrs.
Class C: 36 hrs.
Class B: 100 hrs.
Class A: 200 hrs.,
including 40 in advanced
treatment and managerial
training.
Helper: required to register
with the OK DEQ; must be
under the direct supervision of
a certified operator - no
education, experience, or
training requirements
Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not available.
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: annually

• All Classes: 4 hrs training/
year

May renew certificate with a
late fee for up to 2 years
after the expiration date.

Recertification
Requirements
• Procedures for renewal
after certification expires:
after 2 years, operator
must reapply, reexain,
and pay the fees.

• Recertification after a
certificate is revoked: at
discretion of the
Department.

Resources
Fees:
• Filing and exam: $40
• Renewal: $30
• Reactivation (renewal +
late fee): $40
• Registration fee (per
helper): $10
• Reinstatement: $10

Funding:
The program is self-
supporting and runs itself
on the revenue brought in
through fees.

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs:7

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
A violation of any of the
provisions of the Act is a
misdemeanor. Enforcement
actions may include: fines
(<$100), orders (administrative,
consent, or Notice of
Violation), and/or
imprisonment (<30 days)

Information on how violations
are discovered is not available.

Agency: OK DEQ has
jurisdiction over actions against
the system and the operator.

Program Review1
Information not
provided.

•

1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Oregon
Health Division
of Oregon
Department of
Human
Resources
No water supplier shall employ any person
to be in direct responsible charge of a CWS
or dist. system who does not possess an
appropriate valid operators certificate,
except for water systems directly
supervised by a registered professional
engineer who has a valid certificate to
practice engineering issued under ORS
672.002 to 672.325.

Operator definition - person who has direct
hands on responsibilities for the actual
operations or directions of on-site
supervision of systems.

Groundwater systems under 150
connections need not have certified
operators; however, continuing education
requirements do apply.

NTNC water systems are excluded from
having a certified operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 881
NTNCWS: 328

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 439
NTNCWS:0
Yes - Reciprocity with
other States or
provinces having
recognized certification
programs. Exam,
experience, and training
requirements must be
equivalent. Applicant
must have valid
certification from that
State or province.
Oregon Revised
Statute Section 448
and Oregon
Certification Rules
333-61
Advisory board only.
Members consist of a subset
of the Drinking Water
Advisory Committee
(DWAC) as well as
additional members
appointed by the DWAC.
Water Treatment Plants and
Water Distribution Plants:
classified by size and
complexity of treatment
(where there is no treatment or
only treatment is disinfection
or slow sand filtration
' classification is based on
population):
C/76

See Appendix A- 15 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
At least 70% on written
examination
• Minimum experience: Class
I: high school diploma plus 1
yr. experience; Class II: 3 yrs.
experience or 2 yrs. exp. and 1
yr. Post-H.S. ed.; Class III: \
yr post-H.S. ed., 3-5 yrs. exp,
incl. 2 yrs. Class II operational
decision making exp.; Class IV:
Class III certified + at least 2
yrs post high school schooling.
50% experience must include
operational decision making at
Class III system.
Operator in Training - a person
w/o required experience may
take grade 1 exam and become
an OIT.
Operators in direct responsible
charge shall be certified at a
grade equal to or greater than
the classification of the plant
they work at.

Certification grades for
operators will be classified
according to size and
complexity of system and level
of their responsibilities.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,883
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: annually
• 2 CEUs/2 yrs =
"satisfactory evidence of
professional growth"

lCEUS=10hrsof
participation in an organized
continuing education
program.

Recertification
Requirements
An operator who has
failed to renew
certification by March 3 1
following the date of
expiration shall be
considered suspended and
shall not be in direct
responsible charge of a
PWS or distribution
system.
If certification is not
renewed within a year of
expiration, operator must
reapply as a new
applicant.
Operator must apply for
reinstatement by
submitting application,
reinstatement fee,
renewal fee, and
documentation of CEUs.

Operators whose
certificates have been
revoked must wait 1 year
after effective date of
final order of revocation,
apply as a new applicant
and pay a reinstatement
fee.

Resources
Fees:
• Initial certificate: $40
• Renewal: $40
• Late fee: $10.00
• Exam: $35
• Reciprocal certificate:
$30 + certificate renewal
fee
• Reinstatement: $50 +
certificate renewal fee
• Certificate w/ variance:
$40 + Certificate renewal
fee
• Combination certificate:
$20
Funding:
Fees collected shall be
deposited in the General
Fund the State Treasury to
the credit of the Health
Division. Within fund for
Health Division there is a
dedicated fund for the
operator certification
program

Budget:
$1 50,000 /2yrs.

FTEs: 1.75

Training programs are
through private trainers.
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Any person who knowingly and
willfully violates ORS 448.455
shall upon conviction be
punished by a fine of
<$500/day of violation, or by
imprisonment for <6 months,
or both.

Pursuant, to ORS 448.280,
448.285, 448.290, any person
who violates these rules shall
be subject to a civil penalty.
Penalties are based on
population served by the water
system.
Only Administrator can impose
penalties, penalties shall not
become effective until person is
given opportunity for a hearing.

Violations are discovered by
complaints, visits, or contact
with water systems.
Periodically, the Health
Division will require owners of
systems to provide the names
of their certified operators.

Agency: Health Division of
Department of Human
resources has jurisdiction on
enforcement actions operators
and systems.
Program Review1
Yes. Advisory
Board of Drinking
Water Advisory
Committee
addresses issues in
their meetings.

1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Department of
Environmental
Protection -
Division of
Certification,
Licensing, and
Bonding
Public Water treatment plants shall have a
minimum of two certified operators of the
required classification. One of these shall
be regularly paid and retained. The second
shall be designated as a backup or
replacement who would be directly
responsible for operation when the first
certified operator is not available.

Operator definition - direct responsibility
for operation of PWS. Individual whose
decisions and directions (based on technical
knowledge) determine quality of effluent.

No certified operator may supervise the
operation of more than one facility which
requires certified operators unless the
Department has given approval.
The Department may require the services of
additional operators for a facility.

Total Systems
CWS: 2,266
NTNCWS: 1,301

Total Covered Systems2
»2,300 (includes CWS & NTNCWS)
Yes - A person holding
a valid certificate issued
under the law of another
State, territory or the
District of Columbia
will be issued a
certification
approximately
equivalent to the
classification of the
certificate issued by
another State, territory
or District of Columbia
if the other certificate
was issued as a result of
passing an examination
equivalent to that given
by the board. Also, the
applicant must meet the
experience requirements
of this chapter.
Sewage Treatment
Plant &
Waterworks
Operators
Certification Act
(P.L. 1052 No.
322) and PA Code
Title 25, Rules and
Resolutions;
Environmental
Protection Chapters
301,303, and 305
Yes - The State Board for
Certification of Sewage
Treatment Plant &
Waterworks Operators. The
Board is appointed by the
Governor and consists of 6
members. Members
include: 1 certified water
works operator; 1 certified
sewage water operator; 1
official or owner of water
treatment and 1 from a
sewage treatment plant; 1
member from academia;
and the Secretary of
Environmental Resources or
his representative. Board
shall review and pass upon
applications for
certification, receive and
act upon complaints, and
formulate, adopt, and
promulgate and repeal rule
necessary to implement
these rules.
Classified by authorized plant
design capacity (mgd) and
treatment types

Type 3: only disinfection
A) unlimited capacity
B) 5-10 mgd
C) 0-5 mgd

Type 2: no filtration but
chemical treatment
A) unlimited capacity
B) 5-10 mgd
C) 0-5 mgd

Type 1: filtration and chemical
treatment
A) unlimited capacity
B) 1-5 mgd
C) 0-1 mgd

WD1: Distribution only

WD3: Very Small Treatment
Plants
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• Experience required to be
an operator:
Class D

Class C
Class B
Class A
Total, Min.
Experience
2 yrs, 6
mos.
4 yrs, 1 yr
6 yrs, 2 yrs
8 yrs, 3 yrs
High School and College
reduces experience
requirements

Total Number of Active
Operators: 6,610
• Renewal period: annually

1 CEUS = 10 hours

After 6 months from that
effective revocation date, the
operator may reapply for a
new certificate with an
examination.
If renewal procedures are
not followed after 6
months, applicants must
reapply, pay required fee
and pass the examination.

Revocation:
Requirements for
operators determined by
Board.
Fees:
• Application: $20.00
• Renewal: $10.00

Funding:
Revenue goes into general
fund. Budget comes from
general fund.

NOTE: Water and
Wastewater programs are
combined. The following
budget numbers are for both
programs. A split was not
given and cannot be
determined.

Budget:
$171,000

NOTE: Water and
Wastewater programs are
combined and use the same
personnel. An FTES split
could not be determined.

FTEs: 4.0 (at central office
does not include regional
offices and compliance
officers)
Any person who violates any
provision of this act, shall upon
conviction thereof, in a
summary proceeding, be
sentenced to pay a fine of >$50
and <$ 100 and costs. Each day
that the offense continues
constitutes a separate offense.

Department of Environmental
Protection will conduct
inspection of facilities. Board
will act upon public
complaints.

Agency: The Department of
Environmental Protection
reports violations to the State
Board for Certification of
Sewage Treatment Plant and
Waterworks Operators. The
Board has discretion in
hearings.
No formal review
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Department of
Health
Treatment Facilities:
Any CWS or PWS serving >500 persons,
using surface water or ground water under
the direct influence of surface water, must
be under the supervision of a
superintendent or assistant superintendent
who is certified by the Board.

Distribution facilities:
All PWSs serving >500 persons must have
an operator certified no lower than one
grade lower than the grade of the facility.

Every "operator" must be certified. An
operator is an individual who is assigned
the responsibility of one or more
mechanical treatment units, processes, or
other important functions at a water supply
treatment plant or the operation of a
transportation and distribution system of a
water supply system.

Grandfather Clause:
Certificates will be issued upon application,
without examination, to those Rhode Island
public water supply treatment plant and
distribution system operators employed as
of June 27, 1995 for the system class held
at that time.

Total Systems
CWS: 85
NTNCWS: 72

Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 57
NTNCWS: 15
Yes - Full certificates
may be issued (upon
application) without
examination, in a
comparable
classification to any
individual who holds a
certificate issued by any
State, territory, or
possession of the United
States, or any other
country with
requirements for
certification > Rhode
Island. At the same
time of the application,
applicants must be in
good standing with the
State in which the
original certificate was
issued, which includes
having competed the
continuing educational
requirements on a
prorated basis.
Title 23, Chapter
65-1 to 15 of the
General Laws of
Rhode Island and
RI Rules and
Regulations: R23-
65-DWQ
Yes - Board of Certification
of Drinking Water
Operators consisting of 7
members including the
Director of the Dept. of
Health (or appointee) and 6
members appointed by the
Governor.
Distribution and transmission
facilities are based on
population served:

Class VSSD, ID: 501-1,500
people.
Class 2D: 1,501-15,000 people.
Class 3D: 15,001-40,000
people.
Class 4D: 40,001 + people

Classification of treatment
systems is based on complexity
with the highest being the most
complex. Classification is
based on a point system.

Treatment facilities:
Class VSST, 1T,2T,3T,4T.
VSST (Very Small Water
System): any system that serves
a population of <500 people

See Appendix A-16 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

VSST/VSSD: educational
requirements satisfactory to
Board and six months
experience.
Grade I (D,T): High school
diploma or GED and 6 months
experience.
Grade 2 (D,T): HS diploma or
GED + possession of Class 1
certification +2 yrs experience.
Grade 3 (D,T): HS diploma or
GED, + Bachelors' degree + 2
yrs experience OR Associates
degree + 4 yrs experience +
Class II certification.
Grade 4 (D,T): HS diploma or
GED + Bachelors' degree + 2
yrs experience OR Associates
degree + 4 yrs experience, and
Class III certification.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 469
• Renewal period:
triennially

To renew any certification
the operator must have
worked at least 20% of time
in area certified.

The following Contact Hours
are required (1 CEUS=10
Contact hours):

Class VSS: 3 hours
Class 7: 15 hours
Class 2: 15 hours
Class 3: 30 hours
Class 4: 30 hours
If an operator's license
has lapsed, reexamination
may be required at the
discretion of the
Department. This is
decided on a case-by-case
basis.

Revoked certificates are
handled on a case-by-
case basis. Currently no
official policy.
Fees:
Fees for the examination
are set by board but are no
more than $50.00

Fee resources go to ABC to
cover the cost of the exams.
Funding:
Funding for the program
comes from the general
fund.

Budget:
$35,000 (approx.)

FTEs: 0.25 current (as of
5/97)
Public water systems in
violation shall be subject to a
fine of < $500, or by
imprisonment for < 30 days, or
both. Each day in violation
shall be considered a separate
offense.

Information not available
regarding how violations are
discovered.

Agency: Board of Certification
of Drinking Water Operators
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against systems and
operators.
No formal review
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board1
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
South Carolina
South Carolina
Department of
Labor, Licensing,
and Regulation
and the
Department of
Health
All PWSs classified in the following Groups
shall be required to have 1 certified operator-
in-charge on site every day holding a valid
certificate in the following grade level:
Group I: exempt;
Group II: trainee
Group III: grade D;
Group IV: grade C;
Group V: grade B (except systems with adv
treatment: grade A).

An operator is any person employed in a
public water or wastewater treatment plant
whose duties include: testing, measuring or
otherwise determining the chem quality of
water; direct responsibility for adding or
taking away any chem substance or solution
or otherwise altering the characteristics of
the water; adjusting dials, valves, meters or
other instruments or equipment which in any
way regulate or effect changes in the quality
or characteristics of the water.

Grandfather Clause: Operators employed in
water treatment plants that were in operation
on or before 7/1/87, and have been identified
by the DoH and Envt Control as having
physical/chcm processes will be eligible to
obtain certification at a level no higher than
the one they had on the said date without an
exam.

Total Systems
CWS: 749
NTNCWS: 282

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 749
NTNCWS: 282
Yes - Case-by-case. The
Board may rule to waive
the examination of
licensees certified in
another State if the
certification provisions
are equivalent as
determined by the
Board. The waiver of
the examination as
provided in this section
does not exempt the
applicant from payment
of the application fee.
SC Code of Laws
§40-23-10- §
40-23-170, and the
State Primary
Drinking Water
Regulations R.61-
58 pursuant to § 44-
55-30 - § 44-55-
120 of theSC Code
of Laws; SC
Department of
Labor Licensing &
Regulation
Environmental
Certification Board
Rules and
Regulations
Yes - South Carolina
Environmental Certification
Board consists of 9 members
appointed by the Governor.
Public Water Systems are
classified by size, type,
complexity, physical condition,
source of supply, and treatment
process. PWSs are divided into
Groups as follows: Group I:
Community Water <50 taps
with no treatment; all CWSs
that purchase potable water and
do not treat water; all
Noncommunity Water Systems;
Group II: CWSs >50 taps
well/spring water without
treatment; Group III: All PWSs
that use simple addition of
chemical treatment for pH
balance or disinfection; Group
IV: all PWSs that use
conventional treatment for
ground or surface; Group V: all
PWSs that use advanced
treatment such as reverse
osmosis or activated carbon
filtration or that serve a
population >200,000.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Levels of Certification:
l)Trainee--valid trainee permit
and fee.
2)Leyel D--hold valid trainee
permit, complete D level exam,
and 1 yr exp.
3)Level C-hold D permit, pass
C exam, at least 2 years exp.
4)Level B--hold C permit, pass
B exam, 3 yrs exp.
5)Level A--hold B permit, pass
A exam, 4 yrs exp.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,272
• Renewal period: annually
(July)

CEUs required: 12 units per 2
years.

An operator may renew
his/her certificate without
penalty for up to 3 months
after expiration (through
October). After 3 months and
up to the following July, an
operator may still renew with
a late fee.
One year after the
expiration of a certificate,
the certificate becomes
invalid and the operator
must reexam in order to
become recertified.
Operators in this situation
will be credited for
experience.

A certificate revoked for
cause by the Board may
be reinstated only by
action of the Board.
Fees*:
• Application: $22
• Exam:$22
• Renewal: $22
• Late Renewal: $44

*No fee shall exceed $75.00
according to §40-23-80(E).

Funding:
Self-supporting program -
all expenses of certification
board shall be paid by funds
collected by the board.

Budget:
$250,000 (estimate)

FTEs: approx. 2.5
Any willful violation of§44-55-
80 is deemed a misdemeanor
with a fine of < $10,000 per day
of violation, or imprisonment,
or both. Any other violation of
these provisions shall result in a
civil penalty of < $5,000 per
day in violation. State may also
seek injunctive relief.

Violations are discovered
through inspections for sanitary
surveys (about once a year), or
when bad samples come back.

Agency: The SC DOH enforces
the requirements of the system.
The Dept. of Labor, Licensing,
& Regulation enforces
requirements of the certified
operator.
Yes - Every 4 or 5
years the legislative
audit council
evaluates the
program.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in place
to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
South Dakota

Implementing
Agency
SD Department
of Environment
and Natural
Resources

Coverage
The following systems must have at least
one certified operator:
• serving > 500
• where disinfection is required
• surface water source

Total Systems
CWS: 479
NTNCWS: 33

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 366
NTNCWS: 8

Reciprocity
Yes - Certified operator
from any State, country,
territory with equal or
higher experience and
education standards for
certification may be
certified in SD (but the
State, country or
territory must allow
reciprocity for SD
certified operators).

Authorization
South Dakota State
law 1975, Chapter
34 of
Environmental
Protection under
"Water Supply and
Treatment System
Operators," and
Administrative
Rules of South
Dakota, Title 74,
article 21.

Certification Board1
Yes - SD Board of
Certification

6-member board appointed
by the Secretary of the
Department, consisting of:
4 certified operators, 1
faculty member of an
engineering college or
university, and 1 municipal
employee

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Distribution (based on
population)

Class I = <1, 500
Class II = 1,500 -15,000
Class III =15,000 -50,000
Class IV = >50,000

Treatment Plants (based on
point system - classes I, II, III,
IV).

Point system based on
population served, average
daily flow, type of water
treated, and type of treatment.
Class IV is the highest.
See Appendix A- 17 for a
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• Up to Vi of experience
may be substituted with
education.

Class requirements are as
follows:

Class I: High school (or GED)
+1 yrs experience.
Class 11: High school (or GED)
+ 3 yrs experience.
Class III: 2 yrs of college + 4
yrs experience (at least 2 of
which must be in Direct
Responsible Charge (DRC)).
Class IV: Bachelor's Degree
and 4 yrs experience (at least 2
of which must be DRC).

Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,084
• Renewal period: annually
(contingent 10 Contact hours
are received every 4 years)

certificates expire on 2/1 of
every year

Apply for renewal at least 30
days before expiration

- if apply < 2 years after
expiration, submit
application and a fee.
If operator applies >2
years after expiration,
he/she must reapply, pay
fees and take
examination again.

If a certificate is revoked,
the operator must go
through the Board which
will decide if that
operator may reexam and
recertify.
Fees:
• Exam:
Class I: $5.00
Class II: $7.00
Class III: $9.00
Class IV: $10.00

• certificate renewal:
Class I: $3.00
Class II: $4.00
Class IH: $5.00
Class IV: $6.00

Funding:
All fees go into a dedicated
fund for operator
certification to cover
exams, board meetings,
travel expenses, and other
miscellaneous costs.

Budget:
$6,000 (estimate)

FTEs: 0.5 (includes water
and wastewater)
Actions against an operator:
Secretary of the Board may
suspend or revoke certificate
(after a hearing before the
board).

Actions against a system:
Board will hold a hearing and
recommend to the Department
which procedures to take. The
Dept. will inform the Attorney
General if enforcement action
must be taken.

Violations are discovered
through complaints and a
general knowledge of who the
current operators are in the
field.

Agency: SD Dept. of
Environment and Natural
Resources has jurisdiction to
enforce against the operator
and the system.
No formal review.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Tennessee

Implementing
Agency
Tennessee
Department of
Environment and
Conservation

Primary:
Division of
Fleming
Training Center.

Secondary:
Divisions of
Water Supply
and Water
Pollution
Control.

Coverage
All public water systems require a certified
operator. Any person in direct charge of
water treatment plant shall hold a certificate
in a grade equal to or higher than the grade
of the treatment plant, distribution facility,
or collection system s/he operates.

Total Systems
CWS: 531
NTNCWS: 74

Total Covered Systems2
CWSs:531
NTNCWSs: 74

Reciprocity
Yes - Persons wanting
to gain certification
from other States, need
to fill out a separate,
notarized and signed
application, pay a fee of
$25.00 and provide a
copy of any verifying
document in support of
an application from
another State.
Application must be
received by Secretary 60
days or more in advance
of scheduled Board
meeting date for
consideration. If
reciprocity is denied,
applicant must submit a
new application with
fees for consideration
for any future
reciprocity requests.
-certificate must be
from State that meets
same operator
requirements in
respective operator
class.
-must have an active
certificate and be in
good standing.
Authorization
Water Environment
Health Act T.C.A.
68-221-901
through 68-221-
91 5 and Rules of
TNDEC Board of
Certification for
Water and
Wastewater
Operators: Chapter
1200-5-3

Certification Board1
Yes - Board of Certification
for Water and Wastewater
Operators consisting of five
members (current operators,
university faculty, director
of Division of Water
Management) appointed by
the Governor

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Water Treatment Plant
Certifications are classified
according to population served,
type of treatment, and
complexity of treatment.
There are four Grades (I-IV)
which is determined on a point
system.

See Appendix A- 18 for a
complete description of the
point system.

A classification for a "small
water system" exists but is not
a part of the point system.

1. Tliis column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

A Grade III operator must have
a high school education or
equivalent and at least one year
experience at a Grade I or II
treatment plant.

A Grade II operator must have
a high school education or
equivalent and at least one year
experience at a Grade I or II
treatment plant.

A Grade I operator must have a
high school education or
equivalent and at least one year
experience at a Grade I
treatment plant.

These rules are currently being
amended. The above
information reflects current
rules. (Proposed amendments
effective 7/1/98)

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,834
• Renewal period: annually
(certificates expire January
31 each year).

All operators must have 5
contact hours (c.h.) per
continuing education period.

1 Continuing Education
period = 3 yrs

An operator may renew
his/her certificate until June
30 with payment of a $50
late fee.
After June 30, an
operator wishing to
renew his/her certificate
must reapply and
reexamine.

An operator whose
certificate is revoked
shall be ineligible to
again apply for
certification as an
operator within one year
from the date the
revocation becomes final.
Fees:
• application: $25
• reciprocity certificate:
$25
• renewal: $20
• late renewal: $50 in
addition to renewal fee.

Funding:
All fees are paid to the
State treasury. With
Governor's approval State
can allot funds for
administration of the
program.

Receive «$ 103,000 in funds
per year (covers most of
costs incurred for operator
certification program)

FTEs: about 1.5
Commissioner of Department
may revoke or suspend an
operator's certificate.

Any municipality, utility
district, corporation, or
person(s) violating any
provisions or rules and
regulations thereunder commits
a Class C misdemeanor (each
day in violation = separate
offense). Civil penalties may
include: <$10,000/day for each
day in violation.

The Division of Water Supply
tracks compliance with
regulations by sending frequent
surveys to operators to verify
that all systems have operators
that are certified at the level of
the facility.

Agency: TN Dept of
Environment and Conservation
has jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.
No. There is no
formal review
process but the
regulations and
certification exam
are always subject to
change.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Implementing
Agency
Coverage
Reciprocity
Authorization
Certification Board*
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Texas
Texas Natural
Resource
Conservation
Commission. -'
Compliance
Support Division
Cert, required for person conducting daily,
on-site activities for a public water system .

PWS Groundwater (GW): <250
connections, Grade D operator required.
>250 and si,000 connections C-GW
operator required. > 1,000 connections, 2 C-
GW operators required.
GVVUDI:
require C-GW + additional training OR C-
SW.
PWS Surface Water (SW):
require 1 B-SW operator or 1 C-SW
operator who has completed 20 hr. Water
Laboratory Course (each shift).
-If SW treatment plant has monitors &
alarms with automatic plant shutdown,
certified operator does not have to be on
site.
PWS Distribution:
<250 connections, D operator required.
>250 and £ 1,000 connections, C-distr.
operator required.
> 1,000 connections, 2 C-distr. operators
required.

Total Systems
CWS: 4,507
NTNCWS: 797

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 4,507
NTNCWS: 797
Yes - with bordering
States

Remaining States on an
individual basis
-requirements must be
equivalent to TX
requirements
-must have passed exam
in other State for cert.
-other State must have
reciprocity with TX
TX Health &
Safety Code,
Chapter 341

Texas
Administrative
Code - Title 30,
Chapter 290.46(e)
(called for by
Chapter 341 of
Health & Safety
Code)
Yes - Advisory Committee

Advises TNRCC on:
-direction of activities
-validation of exams
Classification of facility based
on # of connections and
complexity. Within each class,
facilities are divided into the
following categories: surface
water, groundwater and
distribution.

For <250 connections, a Grade
D operator certificate is valid.

For>250and 1,000 connections, at least
2 Grade C operators are
required.

All surface water systems must
have an operator with a C or
higher level certification.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Grade C= high school + 2 yrs
experience + 60 hrs training
credit

Grade B = high school + 5 yrs
experience + 100 hrs training
credit OR BS (in chem., bio.,
bacteriology, or engineering) +
1 yr experience + 100 hrs
training credit

Grade A= high school + 8 yrs
experience + 160 hrs training
credit OR BS(same as above) +
5 yrs experience +160 hrs
training credit OR MS (in
chem, bio, bacteriology, or
engineering)+ 4 yrs experience
+ 160 hrs training credit

Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not available.
Total number of certificates
(operators may hold>l
certificate): 11,838.
• Renewal period:
Grade D = 2 yrs
Grade C = 3 yrs
Grade B = 5 yrs
Grade A = 8 yrs

Hours to be earned during
life of certificate:
Grade D = 20 hrs
Grade C = 30 hrs
Grade B = 50 hrs
Grade A = 80 hrs
A certificate that is not
renewed within 30 days
following the expiration
date will be considered
invalid. A valid
certificate can only be
obtained by submitting a
new application with
appropriate application
fee and receiving a
passing score on the
examination.

Information on
recertification of revoked
certificates not available.
Fees:
• Application/Renewal
Fees:
Grade D = $20
Grade C = $30
Grade B = $50
Grade A = $80

Funding:
All fees go into general
revenue fund. Fees
contribute to, but do not
cover program budget.
Additional funding comes
from the State general fund.

Budget:
$164,887

FTEs: 6.0 (including temp.
workers).
TNRCC can revoke or suspend
an operator's certificate.

Information not available on
actions against systems.

Information on how violations
are discovered is not available.

Agency: Texas Natural
Resources Conservation
Commission has jurisdiction on
enforcement actions against
operators and systems.
No. The only self
assessment that
takes place is an
informal one with
the board.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Utah

Implementing
Agency
Drinking Water
Board appointed
by the Governor
for
promulgation,
interpretation of
Drinking Water
Rules in Utah.
Department of
Environmental
Quality -
Division of
Drinking Water
works for Board.

Coverage
A CWS distribution or treatment plant
manager is required to be certified at the
grade of waterworks system with an
appropriate unrestricted certificate. All
other direct responsible charge operators
shall be certified at an equivalent or not
more than one grade lower. Where a 24-
hour shift operation is used or required, one
operator per shift must be certified at not
less than one grade below the classification
of the system operated.

Operator definition - person who operates,
repairs, maintains and is directly employed
by a PWS.
Direct responsible charge - active, on-site
charge and independently makes decisions
during normal operation.

PWSs serving less than 800 people are
exempt from having certified operators.
However, 1/3 of these facilities are
operated by certified persons.

PWSs with more than 800 people served
and public surface water treatment plants
are required to have certified operators.
Total Systems
CWS: 429
NTNCWS: 58
Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 429
NTNCWS: 2 - 3
Reciprocity
Yes-The Board upon
recommendation from
the Commission, may
waive examination of
applicants holding a
valid certificate or
license issued in
compliance with other
State certification plans
having equivalent
standards, and grant
reciprocity.

Authorization
Section 19-4- 104
and Required
Certification Rules
for Water Supply
Operators: R309-
301-1 through
R309-301-18

Certification Board'
Yes - The Operator
Certification Commission
consisting of 7 members
representing: (a) a town
with pop. < 10,000; (b) a
Grade III unrestricted
certified distribution
operator; (c) a Grade III
unrestricted certified
treatment plant operator; (d)
municipal water supply
mgmt.; (e) civil or
environment. Engineering
dept. of a Utah university;
(f) water supply trainers;
and (g) the drinking water
board. All members
appointed by the drinking
water board which is
appointed by the Governor

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
• Classifications made by
either a point system or on a
population-served basis
(whichever results in a higher
classification).

Distribution systems:
Grade I: <1,500 (pop served),
<10 points (pts)
Grade 2: 1,501 -5,000,10-25
pts
Grade 3: 5,001 -15,000, 26 - 50
pts
Grade 4: > 15,000, >51 pts
Treatment systems:
• Population served = same
breakdown
Grade I: <40 pts
Grade 2: 41 - 65 pts
Grade 3: 66 - 90 pts
Grade 4: > 91 pts

See Appendix A- 1 9 for a
complete description of the
point system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

2. The total number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the
SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.
-------
State
Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Certificate Renewal
Recertification
Requirements
Resources
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Program Review1
UT
• >70% on written exam
• Min. experience (Distribution
and Treatment Systems):
Grade 1: 1 yr experience
Grade 2: 3 yrs experience
without high school OR high
school + 2 yrs experience
Grade 3: 6 yrs without high
school, 3 of these years must be
direct responsible charge OR
high school + 4 yrs experience
with 2 of these years direct
responsible charge, OR
Associate's + 2 years
experience with 1 year direct
responsible charge.
Grade 4: 10 yrs experience
without high school with 5
years of this direct responsible
charge, OR high school + 8 yrs
experience with 4 of years
direct responsible charge, OR
Associate's + 6 years
experience with 2 years direct
responsible charge, OR BA + 4
years experience with 2 years
direct responsible charge.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,207
• Renewal period: triennially

CEUs required in a 3 yr
period:
Grade 1: 2
Grade 2: 2
Grade 3: 3
Grade 4: 3

1 CEUS =10 contact hrs of
participation in & successful
completion of an organized
continuing education
experience.
A lapsed certificate may
be renewed by payment
of the reinstatement fee
and either passing an
examination at the
discretion of the
Secretary to the
Commission or,
considering the training,
experience, education,
and progress made since
the certificate lapsed;
reinstatement may be
granted without an
examination.

Recertification of
revoked certificate
determined by Secretary
of Commission with
recommendation of
appeals board.
Fees:
• Application: $20.00
• Certification: $70.00 (one
time fee, price is
application fee +
examination fee)
• Renewal: $50.00
• Examination: $50.00
• Recertification for failed
examination: $50.00

Funding:
Dedicated fund within
States' general fund.

Budget: Data not available.
FTEs: 1.35
Note: Two people spend
50% and 75 %,
respectively, on application,
examination and
certification processes.
Local Health Departments
devote 12 people to
administer exams in 12
regions for 3 hour exams
twice per year. Inspections
are done by State Sanitary
Survey people. All staff
members split time with
operator certification
program and other
programs.
After appropriate consideration
by the Commission, cases of
non-compliance will be
referred to the Drinking Water
Board for appropriate
enforcement action.

Inspections are also done by
State Sanitary Survey staff.

Agency: Department of
Environmental Quality -
Division of Drinking Water has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems and inspection of
facilities.
Yes. Four times a
year, the Board
meets. Also, once
every three years,
UT sponsors an
"exam validation
workshop." (Discuss
content of op.cert.
exam and its validity
with 5-10
recognized operators
from each grade)
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Vermont

Implementing
Agency
Secretary of the
Vermont Agency
of Natural
Resources or
Secretary's
designee

Coverage
All public water systems (community; non-
transient, non-community; and transient
non-community) serving >10 service
connections or >25 people shall be operated
by at least one certified operator and a
designated alternate* of the appropriate
class. The class of the certificate required
is dependent upon the classification of the
PWS.

* The designated alternate can be a visiting
certified operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 349
NTNCWS: 102

Total Covered Systems1
CWS: 461
NTNCWS: 198

Reciprocity
Yes - Case-by-case
basis

Authorization
10 V.S.A. Chapter
48, Ground Water
Protection, Chapter
56, Public Water
Supply; State of
Vermont,
Subchapter 21-12
of Enviroiunental
Protection Rules,
Chapter 21, Water
Operator
Certification
Regulations for All
Public Water
Systems (revised
July 15, 1996).

Certification Board1
Yes - 9 member board
consisting of:

( 1 ) representative of a large
surface water plant,
(1) rep. of a Class 3 facility,
(1) rep. of New England
Rural Water Assoc.,
(3) State reps
(1) independent surface
water expert,
(1 ) engineer (private
sector),
(l)wastewaterrep.

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Public Water Systems
classifications are as follows:

Class 1 : Groundwater transient,
non-community (TNC) systems
using chlorine and ion
exchange.
Class 2: Public community*
using chlorine and ion
exchange.
Class 3: All systems using
chemical/physical processes
other than chlorination.
Class 4: Surface water systems
using filtration techniques.
—subclasses A, B, C based on
population served:
A - serving 25 - 500
B- serving 501 -3,300 .
C - serving >3,300
Class D: Public community
systems. Distribution only.
*Public community water
systems are those which serve
>10 service connections used
by year round residents or
regularly serves >25 year-round
residents
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Successful completion of
Class specific written
examination.

• Education may be substituted
for experience for classes 2, 3,
4A, 4B, 4C, & D.

Class 1: Exempt from exam.
No educational requirement
and no operating experience
necessary.
Class 2: No educational
requirement and 1 .5 years
experience.
Class 3: High school diploma
or GED and 1 .5 years
experience.
Class 4A: High school diploma
or GED and 2 years experience.
Class 4B: High school diploma
or GED and 2.5 years
experience.
Class 4C: High school diploma
or GED and 3 years experience.
Class D: No education
requirement and 1 year
experience.
To move to a higher class,
operator must pass exam in that
class and have 6 mo. OIT
experience for each class
upgrade.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 678
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: every five
years. All but Class 1 are
required to either retest or
have continuing education
(CEUS).

CEUS:
Class 1: encouraged to attend
at least 8 hours in each 5
year period.
Class 2: shall attend 10
hours.
Class 3, 4, and D: shall
attend 20 hours.

Within one year of
expiration, an operator may
renew his/her certificate with
a late fee.

Recertification
Requirements
Any certificate not
renewed shall be expired.
If not renewed within one
year of expiration, the
operator must reexam.

Any order from the
Secretary to revoke or
suspend a certificate shall
provide specifications
and a time table for
recertification.

Resources
Fees:
Certification and Renewal:
Class 1: $30
Class 2,3,4,D: $60
Late renewal: $10
'Examination: $35

*Examination fees go to
ABC for the exam service
provided for Classes 3, 4,
andD.

Funding:
The remaining fees go
toward the program.
Funding of the program is
supplemented by State and
Federal funds.

Budget:
Data not available.

FTEs: 0.75

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
The Secretary may suspend or
revoke a certificate granted
under this section after notice
and opportunity to be heard if
the Secretary finds that the
certificate holder has submitted
false information, violated any
condition of the certificate, or
violate any statute, rule, or
order related to 10VSA,
Chapter 56. The applicant
may appeal as provided in 10
VSA, Section 1680.

Currently, enforcement is not
in place,

Agency: The Agency of
Natural Resources handles
enforcement against operators.
Information on the Agency
handling enforcement against
systems was not available.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
Board issues
licenses.

DEQ oversees
wastewater
works

Department of
Health oversees
waterworks

Dept of
Professional
Occupational
Regulation
oversees
certification only
of operators.

Coverage
All operators (person in responsible charge
with duties including testing/evaluation and
authority to operate/modify the operation of
waterworks operations)

PWS operators must be certified at least at
the level of the facility or plant.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,527
NTNCWS: 789

Total Covered Systems2
Data not available.

Reciprocity
No - The Board has not
determined any State's
requirements to be
equivalent to VA
standards.

Authorization
Code of Virginia:
Title 54.1-2300.

Board for
Waterworks and
Wastewater Works
Operators Rules
and Regulations

Certification Board'
Yes - Board for Waterworks
and Wastewater Works
Operators (7 members with
a term of 4 years)

Representatives consist of
(according to Code of VA
Title 54. 1-2301) (a)the
Director of the Office of
Water Programs of the State
Department of Health, or
his designee, (b) the
Executive Director of the
State Water Control Board,
or his designee, (c) a
currently employed
waterworks operator having
a valid license of the
highest classification issued
by the board, (d)a currently
employed wastewater
operator having a valid
license of the highest
classification issued by the
board, (e) a faculty member
of a state university or
college whose principal
field of teaching is
management or operation of
waterworks or wastewater
works, (f) a representative
of a waterworks owner, (g)
a representative of a
wastewater works owner.
(no owner can have more
than 1 representative on the
board)
Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Class V: no treatment other
than chlorine disinfection
Class IV; some treatment
(except fluoridation), serving
<5,000 persons
Class III: treatment facilities,
serving >5,000
Class II: treatment facilities,
serving >5,000 <50,000
Class I: treatment facilities,
serving >50,000

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Written exam
• Min. experience:
(class-specific experience =
#yrs. of experience needed at
that type of facility)

Class V: 1 yr class V facility
experience, OR high school + 6
months class V exp., OR BS +
6 months class V exp.

Class IV: \ yr class IV exp.,
OR high school + 6 months
class IV exp. OR BS + 6
months class IV exp.

Class III: Class IV license + 4
yrs class IV exp., OR high
school + 2 yrs class IV exp.,
OR BS + 1 yr class IV exp.

Class 11: Class III license + 7
yrs (3 yrs at class III) exp., OR
high school + Class III license
+ 4 yrs (2 yrs. at class III) exp.,
OR BS + 1 '/j yrs (6 months at
class III) exp.
Class I: Class II license + 10
yrs (4 at class IV, 3 at class III,
and 3 at class II) exp., OR high
school + 6 yrs (2 at class II)
exp., OR BS + Class II license
+ 2 '/z yrs (1 at class II) exp.
Approved education may be
substituted for required
experience.
Total Number of Active
Operators: 1,950
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: Licenses
expire on the last day of
February every odd-
numbered year. Renewal
notices are mailed by the
Dept. of Commerce.

Return renewal notice and
fee. If after 30 days, submit
renewal notice, fee and late
fee.

Reccrtification
Requirements
Procedures for renewal
after certification expires:
> 1 year after expiration,
must reapply, take exam,
pay fee.

The Board has the
discretion to determine
reinstatement of revoked
licenses.

Resources
Fees:
• Application for license:
$65
• Application for
reexamination: $45
• License renewal: $55
• Failure to renew license
with 30 days of exp.: $55

Funding: Fees fund the
program.

Budget:
$202,000 (water and
wastewater)
Water budget (-40% of
total) =$80,800

FfEs = Information not
available.

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
•The Board can revoke or
suspend an operator's license.
Also, it can fine the operator.

Violations of any statute or
regulation related to unlicenccd
conduct is a Class 1
misdemeanor (against the
facility). The third or any
subsequent conviction in a 6-
month period is a Class 6
felony. Also, the State can
initiate court proceedings to
enjoin the violator stop the
unlawful activity.

Dept of Health conducts routine
inspections of water works
facilities.

Agency: The Board for
Waterworks and Wastewater
Works Operators has
jurisdiction in enforcement
actions against operators.
Information not available on
Agency presiding over systems.

Program Review1
No. The Dept. does
conduct workshops
to analyze and
evaluate exam
questions.

1 certified operator required for:
Group A water systems serving >100
service connections or serve <100
service connections but have been
determined to be a significant
noncomplier

An additional certified operator required
for:
PWS using surface water source or
GWUDI.

An additional certified operator also
required for:
shift work or responsibility for a major
segment

Certified operator may provide services to
>1 system.

Exceptions: (RCW70.119.040)
1) Industrial water supply systems which do
not supply water to residences for domestic
use.
2) Preparation, distribution or sale of
bottled water.

Total Systems
CWS: 2,335
NTNCWS: 292

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 750
NTNCWS: 0
Yes - from a State or
province which has
requirements
"substantially"
equivalent to WA may
be certified in WA
without having to take
an exam. This includes
all States that have
reciprocity with ABC as
well as others on a case-
by-case basis.
Chapter 70.119.010
-70.119.900 RCW
and Washington
Administrative
Code Chapter 246-
292 - Water Works
Operator
Certification
Yes - Advisory only
Secretary of DOH can
create/establish ad hoc
advisory committee to
obtain advice and technical
assistance.
• Distribution facilities are
classified according to
population served
Group 1: <1,500
Group 2: 1,501-15,000
Group 3: 15,001-50,000
Group 4: >50,000

A point system is used for
classification of the
Purification Plants.

See Appendix A-20 for a
complete description of the
point system.
**A groundwater supply with
only chlorination is considered
a distribution system, not a
purification plant.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Basic Treatment Operator
(BTO)
• Backflow Assembly
Tester (BAT)
• Cross Connection Control
Specialist (CCS): high
school (U.S.) + 3 months
experience (class 1 ); H.S.
+ 3 yrs experience (class
2)
• Water Distribution
Specialist (WDS): H.S. +
3 months (OIT); H.S. + 1
yr (class 1); H.S. + 3 yrs
(class 2)
• Water Treatment Plant
Operator (WTPO) or
Water Distribution Mgr.
(WDM): H.S. + 3 months
(OIT); H.S. + 1 yr (class
1 ); H.S. -f 3 yrs (class 2);
H.S. +2 yrs college + 4
yrs exp. (class 3); H.S. +
4 yrs college + 4 yrs exp.
(class 4)

**For levels 2-4, substitutions
may be made for education and
experience. A minimum of '/z
of water treatment experience
must be in a water treatment
facility.

Total Number of Active
Operators: 2,914

Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: annually
(on or before Jan. 1 )
• Requirements (WDS,
WDM, WTPO, CCS):
Demonstration of
professional growth:
minimum of 3 CEUs (1
CEUS= 10 contact hrs of
participation in & successful
completion of an organized
continuing education
experience)
(BAT, BTO): Must pass
practical and written exam.
-- Advance through exam
within the same class to a
higher level.
- Achieve certification
through exam in appropriate
classification.

certificate temporarily valid
two months after expiration
(submit renewal fee and late
fee)

Recertification
Requirements
• Procedures for renewal
after certification expires:
if > 2 months after
expiration, must reapply
and retest.

If a certificate is revoked
the Department may
require that the operator
wait one year prior to
reapplying and
reexamining.

Resources
Fees:
Operator
• Application: $30 - $50
(based on operator type)
• Reapplication (for failed
exam): $25
• Renewal: $25
• Late fee: $25
• Reciprocity fee:$ 100
System
• Annual certification
(based on system size): $75
-$450
• Temporary certification:
$50

Funding:
*Self-supporting program -
All fees go in to a dedicated
fund for the administration
of operator certification
(called the "waterworks
operator certification
account")

Budget:
**Contract out review of
professional growth records
and the evaluation and
assignment of CEUs -
$54,000/year for the last 2
years.
$252,000 = annual budget
for administration of the
program (staffing, benefits,
overhead, etc.), does not
include any training costs.
FTEs: 2.5
Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Any 1 or combination of the
following procedures:
• written notice,
• prosecution as a criminal
misdemeanor + <$1 00/offense
(each month constitutes a
separate offense),
• civil penalties up to
$5,000/day
• other legal action

Secretary may revoke
certificates. If revoked, unable
to recertify for 1 year after
revocation order.

Violations are tracked through
a data base system that
monitors compliance (part of
the operating permit criteria for
operating a water system).

Agency: WA Department of
Health handles enforcement
actions against the operator and
the system.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Director of DOH
determines time
and place of
exams.
All PWSs must have a full-time certified
operator.

Class II, III, and IV water systems shall
have a certified operator present at the
treatment facility anytime water is
undergoing treatment. In class III and IV
systems, this operator shall not be more
than one classification lower than the
system classification. Class II groundwater
systems may be operated by a Class I
operator provided the system treats only
ground water and the chief operator is
certified at Class II. Class II surface water
systems must be operated by Class II
operators.

Operator definition - individual who
performs practical work and applies
technical knowledge and skill to treat, test
and distribute drinking water.

All exceptions shall be issued in writing to
the owner by the director.
Class I-D certified operators shall be
restricted to operating the specific Class I-
DPWS.

Facilities who add fluoride shall have
certified fluoride operator.

Total Systems
CWS: 648
NTNCWS:219

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 648
NTNCWS:219
Yes- following
requirements:
1 )accepted offer for
full-time employment as
water system operator in
WV
2)passed certification
exam of equivalent or
greater standard to WV
exam.
3) meets educational
and work experience
requirements.
WV64CSR4
Legislative Rules
Title 64 Chapter
16, Article 1,
Section 7(2). State
Code 16-l-9(a).
Yes - West Virginia
America Water Works
Association and WV Rural
Water Advisory.
Classifications (I-D, I, II, III,
and IV) based on point system
and population served.
ID: total pts= 1-20
pop. served= <500
I: total pts= 21-30
pop. served= 501-1500
II: total pts= 31-55
pop. served= 1501-15000
III: total pts= 56-75
pop. served= 15000-50000
IV: total pts= >76
pop. served=>50001

See Appendix A-21 fora
complete description of the
point system.
1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
Written exam (passing is
>70%)
• Min. experience:
ID: 8th grade + 3 months
experience
1: high school + 1 yr experience
//: high school + 3 yrs
experience
///: high school + 90 CEUs + 5
yrs experience
IV: high school + 180 CEUs + 6
yrs experience
(1 CEUS = 10 contact hrs of
participation in & successful
completion of an organized
. continuing education
experience)
*advanced education may
substitute for some experience

Operators who add fluoride
shall have certification for
fluoride.
Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not available.
Total number of certificates:
2,500 (operators may hold
multiple certificates)
Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: biennially

Recertification
Requirements
Lapsed certificate:
May be recertified based
on Director's review.
Director may require
reexamination if operator
has not been actively
engaged in water supply
treatment operations for 2
years.

Revocation:
An operator must wait a
time period of 2 years
before reapplying and
reexamining and have a
review by the Director to
determine whether or not
deficiencies leading to
revocation have been
corrected.

Resources
Fees:
• No fees

Funding:
Appropriations from the
general fund

Budget:
$65,000 /yr

FTEs: 1.8

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
Any person (system, operator,
etc) who is found in violation
of these or other related rules is
a misdemeanor, punishable by
a fine not greater than $200,
and/or a prison term not more
than 30 days. "Each day's
failure to comply. . shall
constitute a separate offense."

Information on how violations
are discovered is not available.

Agency: The Director of the
W V Department of Health has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems.

Program Review1
No formal review.

Implementing
Agency
Wisconsin
Department of
Natural
Resources

Coverage
All municipal water systems are required to
have a certified operator who is responsible
for plant operations. Public water treatment
facilities have one operator-in-charge for
each subclass that has been issued a
certificate. NTNCWS do not require a
certified operator.

Subclass S waterworks shall have a
certified operator with Grade T or 1 in
subclass S on duty at all times.

Operators may be in responsible charge of
more than facility. Limited restrictions for
surface water facilities determined by
Department.

Total Systems
CWS: 1,166
NTNCWS: 1,053

Total Covered Systems2
CWS: 608
NTNCWS: 0
Reciprocity
Yes - Certificates may
be issued for
comparable
certification, without
examination, in a
comparable grade and
subclass to any person
who holds a current
certificate in any State,
territory, or possession
of the United States, or
any country, if in the
judgement of the
department, the person
requesting comparable
certification has met the
equivalent of the
provisions of this
subchapter in
examinations and
operational experience.

Authorization
Wisconsin Statutes
Section 281. 48(3)
and Wisconsin
Administrative
Code Chapter MR
114.01 -114.25

Certification Board1
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
All public waterworks fall
under "Class 1 " and 1 or more
of the following subclasses:
G: source= groundwater,
Z: providing zeolite softening
or specific contaminant
removal by resins,
I: iron removal by oxidation
and filtration,
L: treatment by lime-soda ash
processes,
S: source= surface water,
D: containing a distribution
system,
V: special treatment (e.g.: air
stripping, GAC, etc.)

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

• There are 2 grades (T & 1)
and 7 subclasses of waterworks
operators:

Grade T: Pass written exam.

Grade i. Completion of Grade
T requirements plus one year of
satisfactory subclass specific
experience.

Operator subclasses are same
as facility subclasses.

Total Number of Active
Operators: approx. 1700
• Renewal period: triennially
• Successful completion and
documentation of CEUs:
Grades T and 1 = 18 hrs/3 yr
OR 12 hrs/2 yr
*Operator-in-charge (for
surface water systems
only)=24 hrs/ 3 yr

Operators with two year
renewal period will end in
October 1997. These
operators will be on three
year renewal program.
A person who fails to
renew a certificate one
year after the expiration
date of the certificate will
have to apply to take the
necessary examinations
for a new certificate.

Revocation of certificate:
Each operator who has
certificate revoked is
handled individually by
Department of Natural
Resources
Fees:
• Exam: $25
• Renewal: $45
• Late renewal: $25
• Comparable certification:
$100

Funding:
Funds for program taken
from State's general fund.

Budget: Data not available.

FrEs: 1.0 (plus
enforcement people who
work on other enforcement
issues)
"All suppliers of water for
municipal water systems shall
comply with the certified
operator requirements in s. NR
108.06(2) and ch.NR 114."

Annual inspections are
conducted at all municipal
water systems.

Operators may have their
certification revoked but
usually only in a criminal case.

Agency: The Department of
Natural Resources has
jurisdiction on enforcement
actions against operators and
systems and may, on its own
discretion, investigate a public
written complaint.
No. Self assessment
is done informally
on an ongoing basis.
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
7/1/97
State
Wyoming

Implementing
Agency
Wyoming
Department of
Environmental
Quality - Water
Quality Division

Coverage
Any water or distribution systems with > 20
service connections must have one chief
operator* certified to the level of the
facility and one back-up operator, (the
back-up operator may be certified one level
below the level of the facility)
Each facility must have one certified
operator per shift either on-site or within
one hour traveling distance.

*An operator is any individual having
primary hands-on responsibility for the
operation of each plant or system.

Total Systems
CWS: 255
NTNCWS: 100

Total Covered Systems2
Data not available - system data collected
according to treatment
Reciprocity
Yes - The administrator
of the Department shall
have the authority to
enter into a reciprocal
agreement with any
other State, association
or Canadian province
regarding operator
certification. Such
agreement shall be
made only after the
administrator has
determined that the
certification
requirements of that
State, association, or
province are >
Wyoming.

Authorization
Wyoming
Department of
Environmental
Quality, Water
Quality
Regulations,
Chapter V.W.S.
35-11-101 through
1207

*currently revising
regs

Certification Board'
No

Classification of
Systems/Facilities
Classification is based on point
system:

Combined Water &
Distribution Systems:
Class II: 5 or 6 points.
Class I: 4 points or less.

Treatment Plants:
Class IV: 8 points or more.
Class III: 6 or 7 points.
Class II: 5 points or less.

See Appendix A-22 for a
complete description of the
point system.

1. This column contains information on the certification board or equivalent agency in the State operator certification program.

2. The total .number of covered systems refers to those systems that are currently required by State statute or regulation to have a certified operator. There are some
discrepancies between the data we obtained from the States and the data in the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). For national uniformity, we are using the
SDWIS data in States where 100% coverage of CWS and NTNCWS applied.
-------
State
WY

Classification of Operators
and Requirements
• Successful completion of
class specific exam provided by
administrator (Level I, II, III,
IV).

• CEUS (Contact Hours):
Experience can be substituted
for education.

Total Number of Active
Operators: Data not available.

Certificate Renewal
• Renewal period: triennially

• Contact hours must be
earned during the 3 years
previous to certification
expiration. Contact hours
are level-specific as follows:

Level I: 14 hrs.
Level II: (distribution and
collection): 14 hrs.
Level II: (treatment): 21 hrs.
Level III: 28 hrs.
Level W: 28 hrs.

Recertification
Requirements
An operator who has not
renewed their certificate
after the expiration date
will have to reapply to
take the class specific
examination.

If an operator's
certification is revoked,
that person may reapply
for a new examination
after 1 year.

Resources
Fees:
• No fees

Funding:
All funding for the program
comes from the State
general revenue fund.

Budget: Data not available.

FTEs: 0.5 (includes water,
wastewater and collection)

Enforcement of Certified
Operator Requirement
If a municipality or non-
municipal public water supply
is unable to comply with these
regulations, the administrator
will negotiate a schedule of
compliance which shall State
action(s) to be taken towards
compliance and date(s) by
which compliance will be
obtained.

Violations are generally
discovered through the routine
maintenance of the database.
Agency: Enforcement handled
by EPA - procedures usually
only take place for very blatant
violations.
Program Review1
Yes - biannual
review conducted of
entire program.

'
1. Many States review sections of their program as necessary to revise regulations, evaluate a training program, etc. The question posed to States was: Is there a process in
place to conduct a regular evaluation of the entire program?
-------
APPENDIX
A-l
ALASKA
-------
TABLEB
CLASSIFICATION RATING SYSTEM
COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
(By Range of Points)

System Type I II III IV

Wastewater
Collection System

Water Distribution
System

1-34

35-58

59-77

78 and
above

78 and
above
-------
(e) To classify water distribution systems under (a) of this section, the depart-
ment will use the following point system:
Item Points

Size'
Maximum population served, peak day 1 point per 10,000 or part

Finished water storage tank(s) 4

Circulating loops
1 loop 10
2-4 loops 15
5 - 10 loops 20

Fire hydrants 4

Standby generators 6

Miles of water line
0-2 2
2-10 4
10-100 6
Over 100 10

In-line disinfection 10
Gas chlorination 5
Hypochlorite chlorination 5
Iodine 5
Ultraviolet light 5
Valves
Remote sensory 10
Automatic 8
Manual 4

Heat exchangers 10
-------