Treatment FAQ

how many ca wastewater treatment plant grade 5 operators

by Hollie Emard Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How many water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work?

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators held about 122,100 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators were as follows: Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators work both indoors and outdoors.

What is the California Code of regulations for wastewater treatment plants?

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.

Do the wastewater treatment plant operator certification exams include Formula Sheets?

For the next cycle the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification examinations will include both formula sheets. See a list of references from which study material may be selected. Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment. .

Are there any requirements for a privately owned wastewater treatment plant?

As of April 2013, all classified privately owned Wastewater Treatment Plants must have certified wastewater treatment plant operators and now have the same requirements as publically owned WWTPs. New! Computer Based Testing Process Overview New! Computer Based Testing FAQs OCIS Phase II: You can now access your file in our database!

How many wastewater treatment plants are there in California?

900 wastewater treatment plantsIn California, wastewater treatment takes place through 100,000 miles of sanitary sewer lines and at more than 900 wastewater treatment plants that manage the roughly 4 billion gallons of wastewater generated in the state each day.

How much does a wastewater treatment plant operator make in Canada?

The average salary for a wastewater operator is $28.07 per hour in Canada.

What state pays wastewater operators the most?

Our research put California at no. 1 on the list of best paying states for Wastewater Plant Operators.

How many types of wastewater treatment plants are there?

four waysThere are four ways in which a water treatment plant can operate: Effluent Treatment, Sewage Treatment, Common and Combined Effluent Treatments, and Activated Sludge Treatment.

What are the duties and responsibilities of water treatment plant operator?

Water Plant Operators are responsible for managing and monitoring the processes of a water treatment plant. Their duties include operating treatment plants and apparatus, cleaning screens and filters, adding chemicals, monitoring gas and water levels, taking reading as well as inspecting wastewater and water samples.

How much do wildlife biologists make?

Salary As Wildlife Biologist earns an average salary of ₹6-8 lakhs per anum.

Is water treatment a good career?

Great Pay! Luckily for you, a career in Water Treatment or Distribution can offer you this type of financial freedom. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the 2010 median pay for a Water Treatment Plant Operator was $40,770 which works out to about $19.60 per hour.

What is the national average of wastewater treatment?

While urban water access is high on average, significant gaps remain across the country, and wastewater treatment remains stuck at the national average of around 33%.

How much does a municipal wastewater operator make in Boston?

The average Wastewater Operator salary in Boston, MA is $59,659 as of , but the salary range typically falls between $50,967 and $72,705. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

What are the 3 types of water treatment plant?

Types of Water Treatment PlantsWastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) ... Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) ... Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP's) ... Demineralization (DM) Treatment Plants. ... Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Treatment.

What are the 5 stages of water treatment?

Public water systems often use a series of water treatment steps that include coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.

How many types of ETP plants are there?

Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) 2. Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) 3. Common and Combined Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP).

When is a CPO required to submit a wastewater plant classification form?

The owner or Chief Plant Operator (CPO) acting on behalf of the owner of a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is required to submit a wastewater plant classification form at least 60 days before the plant begins operations and at least within 30 days of changes to the plant (including closure).

What is the letter that a CPO will receive from WWOCP?

Once the WWOCP reviews the information, the CPO will be sent a letter indicating the classification and appropriate operator grades. The WWOCP does not specify how many operators must be employed at each grade; however, the CPO’s certification grade level must be equal to or higher than the WWTP’s classification.

How to become a water treatment plant operator?

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.

What education do you need to be a wastewater treatment plant operator?

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. Education. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to become operators.

How much will the water and wastewater industry decline in 2029?

Employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to decline 4 percent from 2019 to 2029. As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced due to automation, fewer workers may be needed.

What are the duties of a water treatment plant?

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically do the following: Add chemicals, such as ammonia or chlorine, to disinfect water or other liquids.

Where does wastewater go?

Used water, also known as wastewater, travels through sewer pipes to treatment plants where it is treated and either returned to streams, rivers, and oceans, or used for irrigation. Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators often perform physically demanding tasks.

What is the job of a sewage disposal technician?

Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of sewage. Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas. Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

Do wastewater plants need workers?

As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced with automated systems to manage treatment processes, fewer workers may be needed. Although some work can be automated, plants will still need skilled workers to operate increasingly complex controls and water and wastewater systems. Job Prospects.

Why is sewage treatment important?

The treatment of domestic waste (sewage) is vital to maintain the quality of California’s ground water and water ways. Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) are crucial to ensuring that raw sewage is treated appropriately before the resulting treated effluent is discharged to land or water.

How to contact WWTP?

If you have any questions regarding WWTP Classification, please call (916) 341-5819 or email at

What is a DOIC in WWTP?

The Designated Operator-in-Charge (DOIC) is a certified operator appointed by the CPO to be responsible for the overall operation of a WWTP, including compliance with the applicable waste discharge requirements when the CPO is unable to carry out the responsibilities of the position. The DOIC reports directly to the CPO.

Can a Class I WWTP be exempt?

Some Class I WWTPs may qualify for an exemption, meaning a certified operator would not be required to operate the plant. The WWTP shall be granted an exemption only if the WWOCP determines that the WWTP could not, due to operator error, violate water quality objectives. For more information on applying for an Exemption, please visit the following website

Requirements for Operator-In-Training Certificate

An applicant for a Grade II through Grade V OIT certificate must have passed an examination at that grade level or higher and the applicant’s examination results must not have expired (examination results are valid for four years based on the date listed on the examination pass letter).

Employment or Training of an Operator-In-Training

Once the application is approved, the WWOCP will issue an OIT certificate allowing the applicant to operate the wastewater treatment plant for which the OIT certificate was issued. An OIT must be under the direct supervision of a certified operator at that same or a higher grade level as the OIT.

How much does a water treatment plant operator make?

Additionally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains that in 2018 the average salary for water and wastewater treatment plant operators was $46,780 USD per year.

Why do I need to be a certified water operator?

Becoming a certified operator also offers individuals the opportunity to make a difference in society on a daily basis . Clean and safe water is essential to everyday life and operators have the ability to regularly impact that need.

What is HTO course?

Review information management technologies, both server-based and Web-hosted. Participants will discuss and compare management systems, as well as applications available for collecting and managing performance data and methods available for securing and storing online information. HTO courses can be taken in any order.

How many hours of training is on WSO?

The WSO Channel includes 60+ full length videos covering 20 hours of certification and training content for operators. Strengthen the practices and procedures of your operator employees.

What is the job of an operator?

Operators can work in various areas, such as water, wastewater, distribution and reuse. These operators maintain equipment and processes to monitor and affect water as it moves through the treatment and distribution cycles.

What is a certified operator?

Certified operators are a critical part of providing an adequate and safe supply of water. Operators are typically responsible for a variety of tasks centered around operating and maintaining a system or plant. They typically work in a selection of capacities: water treatment, distribution, water collection, or wastewater.

What degree do utilities need?

Some positions may require a high school diploma, while others demand a stronger math and chemistry background, or an Associate’s or Undergraduate degree.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Classification

  • Section 13626 of the California Water Code gives the Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP) responsibility for classifying all publicly owned wastewater treatment plants and private plants regulated by the Public Utility Commission or issued a waste discharge requirement by the State Water Board one of the nine Regional Water Boards. The...
See more on waterboards.ca.gov

Wastewater Treatment Plant Exemption

  • An owner of a Class I WWTP may apply for an exemption if: 1. It has been classified as a Class I WWTP. 2. The WWTP could not, due to operator error, violate water quality objectives. 2.1. Wastewater Exemption of Class I
See more on waterboards.ca.gov

Questions Or Comments?

  • If you have additional questions, please contact the Plant Classifications Analyst, Neal Funston by email at: [email protected] by phone at (916) 341-5909.
See more on waterboards.ca.gov

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