
Full Answer
How long does it take to become a water operator?
Work Experience: eight years experience in public water system operations, six of which must be "hands-on". Applicants with a High School diploma or GED may substitute up to two years of experience with college hours or additional TCEQ approved water operator training.
Do you have to be licensed to run a water treatment plant?
Licensing Process. Florida statutes require anyone who operates a drinking water treatment plant, domestic wastewater treatment plant and/or water distribution system must be licensed by DEP.
How many certified wastewater treatment plant operators are there?
Additionally, the WWOCP classifies Wastewater Treatment Plants. Currently, there are approximately 6,000 active certified wastewater treatment plant operators. Since 1972, the State Water Board examines and certifies wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators for competency to operate WWTPs.
How do I become a certified wastewater treatment technician?
Certification is also required typically through state agencies. These agencies often offer training courses and study materials that help students prepare for their certification examinations. Certain colleges and universities also offer wastewater treatment classes through certificate programs in the field.

What Does A Wastewater Treatment Operator do?
Working as part of a dedicated team Wastewater Treatment Operators support the successful operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment pla...
Where Does A Wastewater Treatment Operator Work?
Wastewater Treatment Operators work mainly for government or developers and work within a treatment plant facility. Wastewater Treatment Operators...
What Is The Average Wastewater Treatment Operator Salary?
The median salary range for a Wastewater Treatment Operator is $42,760 USD per year or $20.56 per hour. Employment for Wastewater Treatment Operato...
Wastewater Treatment Jobs & Job Description
Wastewater treatment operators are critical to public health. Together with engineers, administrators and scientists, they work toward the manageme...
What Do Wastewater Treatment Operators Study?
Wastewater Treatment Operators must have a degree in Science or Engineering. Certification is also required typically through state agencies. These...
What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Wastewater Treatment Operators have?
1. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the largest association dedicated to managing and treating water. The AWWA provides education to...
What are the skills required to be a water treatment technician?
Develop skills in safe operational procedures, sampling, and laboratory testing techniques. Become familiar with the basic biology, bacteriology, mathematics, and chemistry associated with water treatment. Develop skills in taking tests covering the material discussed in each lesson.
How many lessons are there in water treatment?
There are 23 lessons in this course. Each lesson deals with a treatment process that may be encountered in any water plant. The sequence in which each topic is addressed generally follows the sequence of processes used in a typical water treatment plant.
How to develop test taking skills?
Develop test taking skills by completing the quizzes that cover the material discussed in each lesson
How many hours of training do you need to be a water operator?
64 semester hours of college or 80 additional hours of approved training for two years of work experience.
How many years of work experience in public water system operations?
Work Experience: four years of "hands-on" experience in public water system operations.
How much does it cost to get a TCEQ exam?
Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ. Once your application is approved, sign up for an exam at your local TCEQ regional office or your local computer-based testing center.
How long is a TCEQ license valid?
Occupational licenses are valid for three years then must be renewed with TCEQ. Renewal applicants must have completed the required CE requirements, submit a renewal application and criminal history attestation, and pay the renewal fee. Detailed information can be found on the renewal webpage.
Where to take TCEQ exam?
Once your application is approved, sign up for an exam at the Austin Region, your local computer-based testing center or any TWUA regional school that the TCEQ is attending (currently this includes all locations except for Fort Stockton). Due to the six-hour length of the exam, paper-based exams are only available at the Austin Region Office and TWUA regional schools.
How many hours of college for a two year job?
64 semester hours of college or 80 additional hours of approved training for two years of work experience.
How many hours of college for one year of work experience?
32 semester hours of college or 40 additional hours of approved training for one year of work experience
Where Does a Wastewater Treatment Operator Work?
Wastewater Treatment Operators work mainly for government or developers and work within a treatment plant facility. Wastewater Treatment Operators are expected to work under broad direction toward the achievement of the overall objectives of the plant. A Wastewater Treatment Operator conducts routine checks, collects samples and conducts laboratory tests in order to operate and make necessary changes to the process. Wastewater Treatment Operators are also required to identify maintenance requirements within the treatment plant to ensure operational components are kept in good working order.
What are the skills required to be a wastewater operator?
Wastewater treatment operator roles do vary from organization to organization, but most will have the following tasks as part of their scope: Strong mathematical, mechanical and science skills. Ability to engage in logical processes for troubleshooting. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
What Kind of Societies and Professional Organizations Do Wastewater Treatment Operators Have?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the largest association dedicated to managing and treating water. The AWWA provides education to water professionals, advocates for safe and sustainable water, collects and shares journals and scientific reports and creates volunteering opportunities. To be part of AWWA an annual membership fee is required.
What are the duties of a wastewater operator?
Senior wastewater treatment operators have a depth of experience and management skill that illustrate a ‘leader' mentality and skillset. In addition to the standard role, wastewater treatment managers may be required to perform the following as part of the scope of senior duties: 1 Evaluate and troubleshoot operations at various water and wastewater sites 2 Identify risks and opportunities for efficiencies and improvement 3 Support existing contract operations sites, including evaluations and troubleshooting 4 Implement new technical solutions or best operating practices 5 Periodic auditing of overseer and/or supervisor roles at contract operations sites 6 Develop and implement processes to meet customer needs. 7 Implement best operating practices 8 Train operations staff on new and innovative operational approaches 9 Support business development activities 10 Conduct due diligence checks amongst human resource and mechanical processes 11 Prepare operational plans and strategies 12 Develop operational budgets 13 Writing operational and/or technical sections for proposals and manuals 14 Managing transitions for new contract operations sites
What is wastewater treatment?
Wastewater is water that has previously been used and may contain oils, chemicals, food, or sewage. Wastewater treatment facilities collect contaminated water in a central location to prevent massive pollution in rivers, lakes and the environment. A Wastewater Treatment Operator in such a facility may be responsible for replacing ...
What is the American Water Works Association?
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the largest association dedicated to managing and treating water. The AWWA provides education to water professionals, advocates for safe and sustainable water, collects and shares journals and scientific reports and creates volunteering opportunities.
How many members does the Water Environment Federation have?
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world.
How Do I Become A Certified Operator?
To become a certified operator, you will need to take the Operator Certification Examination. No work experience at a water or wastewater facility is required to complete an operator certification exam in Arizona.
How many years of schooling do you need to be a grade 2 operator?
High school graduation or the equivalent AND two years of qualifying experience, including one year as a Grade 2 operator or the equivalent of a Grade 2 operator in another jurisdiction;
How many years of postsecondary education is required for a grade 1 operator?
Two years of postsecondary education in a qualifying discipline AND one year of qualifying experience, including six months as a Grade 1 operator or the equivalent of a Grade 1 operator in another jurisdiction; or
What is ADEQ certification?
ADEQ’s Operator Certification Program establishes guidelines to ensure that only certified operators make decisions about process control or system integrity that affects public health. The program establishes minimum standards for certification and recertification of the operators of drinking water and wastewater systems.
What grade do you need to be to get an operator certification?
To start testing at Grade 2 or higher, qualifying education and work experience is required. Please contact the Operator Certification Program for more details. If you recently passed an operator certification exam or received reciprocity from ADEQ, you will need to visit the Operator Certification Portal to apply.
How many PDHs are needed for renewal?
A minimum of 30 PDHs is required for renewal. At least 10 of the PDHs uploaded must be directly related to your certificate.
How long do you have to hold a license to operate a truck?
Operators must hold the lower-grade-level certificate for one full year (365 days from the effective date), prior to sitting for the next grade level. To check the effective date of the certificate (s), use the Operator Certification Database (see sidebar).
How do I become a sewer worker?
how do I become a sewer worker? Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators need long-term on-the-job training to become fully qualified. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and a license to work. They also complete on-the-job training.
How to get an OIT license?
To obtain your OIT certificate/licence in one or more of the four system/facility types, you must first apply to write the OIT exam by completing the Operator-in-Training Examination Registration Form. With your application you will need to provide proof of grade 12 or equivalent and submit a payment.
What is the state water board?
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has revised its regulations in chapter 26 of division 3 of title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, regarding wastewater treatment plant classification, operator certification, and contractor registration for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Program.
Is First Data under control of the State Water Resources Control Board?
First Data is not under the control of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the SWRCB is NOT responsible for the contents or links contained in their website.

Education and Work Experience
Training Courses
Application and Examination
Education and Work Experience Requirements
Class D Exceptions
Continuing Education Requirements
- All Water Licenses require 30 hours of Continuing Education (CE) to be eligible for renewal. CE hours are given for successful completion of TCEQ approved training courses. CE hours must be acquired prior to the expiration of the license and may be obtained any time during the validity of the license. A & B water operators may complete a self-attes...
Renewal Requirements
Who Is An Operator?
- A certified operator is an individual who holds a current certificate issued by ADEQ in the field of water or wastewater treatment, water distribution, or wastewater collection. All water and wastewater facilities require an operator in direct charge who is certified for the class of the facility at or above the grade of the facility. Facility owne...
Who Must Be Certified?
How Do I Become A Certified Operator?
Renewal Information
Reciprocity Guidelines