Operator Certification

Operator Certification is the certification of operators for community and non-transient non-community water systems, as required by the EPA and state primacy agencies implementing the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulatory program.

Operator Workforce Programs and Resources for Students

EPA Water You Waiting For? Videos for high school and vocational students.
Iowa’s Water In Progress paid water and wastewater internship program for high school students and small communities.
Virginia has a community college program for operators. Everything is online, except the tests. Mountain College Water/Wastewater Distance Learning Website
Michigan has a careers in water website and community college programs that went online during COVID. The Grand Rapids community college got EPA funding for their program.
Michigan also has the EGLE classroom for recruiting with teachers and counselors that provides credit certificates, as well as a water and wastewater initiative.
The Alaska Job Corps has a water/wastewater training program, https://alaska.jobcorps.gov/careers/201, which assists students in receiving provisional level certification and upon completion of internships, level 1 certifications.
NRWA Apprenticeship Program

State Drinking Water Contract Operator Laws and Resources Table (December 2022)

ASDWA developed this table of state drinking water program contractor operator laws and resources based on a survey of state Operator Certification Coordinators in October 2022. During the August 2022 National Capacity Development and Operator Certification Workshop, states voiced the need to share information and resources, and consider opportunities to learn from and use existing state examples.

Table Contents: The table includes columns for the state, type and name/description of law, guidance, or resource and provides web links and a description of the contents. It can be sorted by column and exported for your convenience.

Updates: Please contact Deirdre White of ASDWA at dwhite@asdwa.org if you have additional information to add to the table from your state and/or if you have suggestions for edits or other improvements. ASDWA will continue to update the table as more information becomes available.

State/Other	Law/Guidance/Resource	Name/Description	Web link	Reference	Requirements/Guidelines/Information
EPA	Resource	Water Operator Hiring and Contracting Guide	https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/documents/water_operator_hiring_and_contracting_guide_final_508.pdf		The guide is customizable and includes how to find the right operator for your system, helps you to communicate with your operator about water system responsibilities, and assists with your documentation of expectations for operating the water system.
Alaska	Policy	Contract Operator Approval Policy	https://dec.alaska.gov/water/operator-certification/contract-operator-approval-policy/
Alaska	Resource	Application for Approval of a Contract Operator	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Alaska-contract-operator-application.pdf		Includes frequency of visits to water system, and availability to respond in an emergency.
Arizona	Resource	Operator Contract Template	https://static.azdeq.gov/opcert/opcert_contract_template.pdf		The template includes duration of contract, compensation, and legally required duties and responsibilities of each party.
Arizona	Law	Operator Certification Rules	https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_18/18-05.pdf	Remote Operators (page 3-4) A.A.C. R18-5-104-(F)(3-7)	The remote operator resides no more than 200 miles by ground travel from any facility that the remote operator serves, and conduct facility inspections on a timely basis.
Colorado	Law	Operator Certification Rules	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/wwfocb-regulation-100-policies-guidance		Contract operators (Operators in responsible charge - ORC) specifically must prepare a contract with the water facility as well as a delegation plan listing those tasks the contract operator delegates to other operators to perform on their behalf.
Colorado	Resource	Website: Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP) - Operators In Responsible Charge (ORC)	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/ccwp-operators-in-responsible-charge-orc		The website includes a list of qualifications, duties, written agreements, contract templates, video training, a list of current ORCs, online monitoring schedules and contracts, and contact update forms.
Colorado	Guidance	Guide for Hiring and Contracting Operators	https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p7ajKdoVmpRmFr5Rpu4x39GGImSVzusr/view?usp=sharing		The guide Includes: how a contract operator (ORC) can help meet safe drinking water and clean wastewater goals; responsibilities of Water System Decision makers and contract operator; interview questions; and topics for developing a written agreement and terms of contract, and suggested duties.
Colorado	Resource	Template for contract between Operators In Responsible Charge (ORC) and facility	https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ewydPEiXYkCa8ImLdhkfSlrwjgryEp_IVRT_hEViy8/edit?usp=sharing		The template includes a: system description; contract purpose and duration, compensation; operator visits, response time, duties and Responsibilities; and owner/decision-maker responsibilities, and insurance.
Colorado	Resource	Training video for Operators In responsible charge (ORC) Required Delegation Plan tasks and activities	https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NIJugiL4uCgFlIpaRSptQ7LC-ca1mh5a/view		20 minute, on demand video for ORC Delegation Plan requirements
Colorado	Resource	Contract Operator Listing and Listing of Operators under Disciplinary Action	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/ccwp-contract-operators
Illinois	Law	Contract Operator Rules	https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/035/03500681sections.html	SUBPART J: CONTRACTUAL OPERATION	Requirements for contract provisions, duties and responsibilities, and Agency approval of contract. Requires notification within 15 days of termination of contract.
Louisiana	Law	Operator Rules	https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/operator/OperatorCertificationRule.pdf	§7325 (F – page 842)	One individual may be designated as the operator over (several) more than one water or wastewater system or district provided that he can demonstrate that he is actively involved on a day-to-day basis in the operation of each of the systems, and is able to respond to the systems locations within one hour of notification that his presence is required.
Massachusetts	Resource	Operator Staffing requirements	https://www.mass.gov/service-details/certified-operator-staffing-requirements		Web page with minimum requirements for operators onsite, or for Very Small Systems serving 500 people or less - to have a secondary operator available for emergencies when the primary operator is temporarily absent (for periods not exceeding 30 days) that must able to respond within one hour.
Michigan	Guidance	Owner/Operator Responsibility Designation Form	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Michigan-EQP5850-Owner-Operator-Responsibility-Designation-Form_FILLABLE.docx		Michigan is using this voluntary guidance as an interim measure until the state can open up the rules to make necessary changes.
Missouri	Law	Contract Operator Agreement	https://www.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/10csr/10c60-14.pdf	Operator Certification Rules (page 5)	Contract operators must have a written agreement with the water system that includes the minimum frequency of (and hours for) routine visits , the operator's duties and responsibilities, certificate level required by the Department for the system, level of certificate held by the operator, minimum emergency response time, and number of employees hired to assist. The regulations don't limit the number of systems an individual can operate, except for surface water systems.
Missouri	Resource	Contract Operator website and contract template	https://dnr.mo.gov/document-search/contract-operator-agreement-pub2833/pub2833		Web page includes topics for a water system to discuss with a potential contract operator and a contract template.
Missouri	Resource	Operator Search Website	https://apps5.mo.gov/operator/search/index.do		Website helps water systems find operators.
Nebraska	Law	Shared Operator Licensing Regulations	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nebraska-shared-water-operator-licensing-regulations.pdf		Shared operator regulations including the 40 mile distance guideline
Nebraska	Resource	Shared Operator Application	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nebraska-Shared-Operator-Application.pdf		Shared operator application that includes duties for each system and distance between them.
New Hampshire	Law	Code of Administrative Rules: PART Env-Dw 502 Certification of Water Works Operators	https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/Env-Dw%20502.pdf	Operational Duties of a Primary Water System Operator (page 18 -Env-Dw 502.25)
New Hampshire	Law	Code of Administrative Rules: PART Env-Dw 502 Certification of Water Works Operators	https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/Env-Dw%20502.pdf	Criteria for Approval of Training Providers and Courses (page 18 Env-Dw 502.26)
New Hampshire	Law	Code of Administrative Rules: PART Env-Dw 502 Certification of Water Works Operators	https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/Env-Dw%20502.pdf	Responsibilities of Water System Owners (page 17 - Env-Dw 502.24)	(5) Notify the department in writing within 10 days of a change in the designated primary operator;
Ohio	Law	Operator Certification Rules: Contract operations companies and contracted professional operators (3745-7- 21)	https://epa.ohio.gov/static/Portals/28/documents/rules/final/Operator-Certification-FullChapter.pdf	Contract operator rules (page 71 - 3745-7-21)	Requires: application for approval at least 30 days prior to contract operations; response to emergencies within one hour; backup operator; annual reports; time spent at each facility; and compliance with rules.
Ohio	Resource	Operator Contract Example	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Ohio-example-contract.doc		The sample contract includes services, requirements, fees, terms, governing law, and insurance.
Vermont	Guidance	Guidelines for Contracting Water Operators	https://dec.vermont.gov/water/drinking-water/operator-hiring		Web page guide for developing a contract: includes general information, effective dates, scope of services, compensation, owner responsibilities, and insurance.
Washington	Law	Minimum requirements for contract operators (WAC 246-292-055)	https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=246-292-055	Contract operator requirements	Requires Contract Operators: (i) Be available on-site or able to be contacted immediately by telephone or other electronic communication twenty-four hours per day, every day; and (ii) Be able to initiate appropriate action within two hours of contact, as required for certified operators in responsible charge under WAC 246-292-032(2), for every public water system that the contract operator is under contract;
Wisconsin	Resource	List of Contract Operators	https://widnr.widen.net/s/vqzvzwffhj/contractops
Wyoming	Law	Minimum requirements for contract operators	https://www.asdwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Wyoming-2018-WQRR-Chapter-5.pdf	Contract operator requirements (Chapter 5, Section 10, page 6)	Contract operators shall keep records of time spent and duties performed at each facility and make a physical inspection at least once per week (with exceptions based on a written request). Records may be audited and operators must have a certification level that is adequate for the facility.
State/Other	Law/Guidance/Resource	Name/Description	Web link	Reference	Requirements/Guidelines/Information

Guidance

The 1996 SDWA Amendments called on states to design and implement a program for drinking water system operators to ensure that they were properly trained in the operation and maintenance of the type and size of the water system for which they were responsible. The information below describes EPA guidance for both the general operator certification program and special requirements to receive funds to reimburse training and certification for operators of systems serving 3300 or fewer persons:

Summary of State Operator Certification Programs (March 2016): A summary of state drinking water operator certification programs. This document is a reference tool for making comparisons among state programs for certifying operators of community water systems (CWSs) and nontransient noncommunity water systems (NTNCWSs).
EPA Operator Certification Guidelines State Implementation Guidance (January, 2000): includes a sample State Attorney General’s certification; a Crosswalk/Checklist table to assist States and EPA in determining whether or not a State’s operator certification program complies with or is substantially equivalent to the requirements of the guidelines; a list of Initial Submittal Items to accompany a State’s initial submittal of its Operator Certification program to EPA; and a Question and Answer document.
EPA Memorandum on Conducting Internal and External Reviews on State Operator Certification Programs (March 2009) provides suggested methods for internal and external review of state operator certification programs; recommends appropriate external reviewers; and specifies the types of information to be included in the annual operator certification program implementation report.

Resources

WaterOperator.org hosts the best resources on the web for small system operators in one place. It is a collaboration between the Rural Community Assistance Partnership and the University of Illinois, through the Illinois State Water Survey and the Illinois Water Resources Center, and funded by EPA. Through an easy-to-use search interface, operators can find:

Operator certificate programs and training events near you
An online library with thousands of free tools and documents to make your job easier
Email newsletters with the latest news relevant to small utilities

Tools

While there are no specifically identified “tools” for the operator certification program, there are a number of programs designed to help train operators across the breadth and depth of their program needs. Most states have their own training initiatives that are designed to meet state certification requirements. However, one of the more widely known training programs that offers courses and activities for small system operators is the Office of Water Programs at the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) College of Engineering and Computer Science. The CSUS program provides distance learning courses for persons interested in the operation and maintenance of drinking water and wastewater facilities. More information about this training program and its products is available at http://www.owp.csus.edu/training.php.