To become certified, an applicant must pass the appropriate examination(s), meet the education and experience requirements, apply for certification to the State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators (Board),
Are these training courses worth credit for Pennsylvania water and wastewater operators?
Applying for certification Once the necessary examinations have been passed, an applicant must complete and submit an application for certification to the State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators with the appropriate fee. This application must also include a criminal history record report from the Pennsylvania State Police.
What is the water and wastewater systems operators'certification?
Certified Operators. As a certified operator, you are a guardian of public health and the environment. The certified operator must meet the requirements of the Operator Certification Program. The following list provides some of the more important requirements: Make or implement appropriate process control decisions, or taking or directing ...
How do I become a wastewater treatment operator?
To become a certified operator, an applicant must pass the water or wastewater Part I-General Exam and all Part II-Technology Specific Exams that apply to the system at which they work or want to work. The Part I General examination covers all the knowledge, skills, and abilities of any drinking water or wastewater
How to become a certified treatment plant operator?
Water Treatment Exam Preparation – Grade 1. $149.99. Pass your test the first time! No stress. No worry. This course will prepare you to pass your entry level water treatment operator exam with confidence and get you started on your way to a …
Pre-Certification Training
To sit for the certification exam, training is not required, but it is highly recommended. For information on pre-certification training, click here.
Continuing Education
All certified operators must complete continuing education in their 3-year license cycle. The specific requirements are defined in the "Continuing Education" link in the right-hand menu.
Becoming a Certified Operator
Meeting education requirements - The applicant must be at least a high school graduate, possess a GED or was working in a water or wastewater system before Feb. 21, 2002.
Becoming a certified operator involves the following
Meeting education requirements - The applicant must be at least a high school graduate, possess a GED or was working in a water or wastewater system before Feb. 21, 2002.
How to become a certified water operator?
As a certified operator, you are a guardian of public health and the environment. The certified operator must meet the requirements of the Operator Certification Program. The following list provides some of the more important requirements: 1 Make or implement appropriate process control decisions, or taking or directing actions related to process control decisions for specific water or wastewater systems. 2 Successfully complete the required continuing education. 3 Make timely application for certification renewal. 4 Report to the system owner any known violations or system conditions that may be or are causing violations of any DEP regulation or permit condition or requirement. You must keep the system owner informed of all real or potential violations and what your plans are to deal with the situation. 5 Provide for the suitable operation and maintenance of a water or wastewater system utilizing available resources needed to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and permit conditions and requirements. 6 Approve in writing Standard Operations Plans (SOPs)
What is a certified operator?
Certified Operators. As a certified operator, you are a guardian of public health and the environment. The certified operator must meet the requirements of the Operator Certification Program. The following list provides some of the more important requirements:
What to report to DEP?
Report to the system owner any known violations or system conditions that may be or are causing violations of any DEP regulation or permit condition or requirement. You must keep the system owner informed of all real or potential violations and what your plans are to deal with the situation.
2022 Operator Certification! Exam Registration Open in State College, New Kensington, and Harrisburg
Certification Exams hosted by Pennsylvania Rural Water Association to take the PaDEP Water and Wastewater System Operator Certification Exam.
Backflow Training
Cross-Connection Control & Backflow Prevention training helps utilities begin and maintain a backflow program as required by the PaDEP Public Water Supply Manual.
Classroom Training
Classroom training for certified water and wastewater operators, managers, and boards, usually PaDEP approved, and typically includes lunch at locations across Pennsylvania!
Correspondence Training
Correspondence training for certified water and wastewater operators, managers, and boards, PaDEP approved, and convenient for study at home and work without travel expense!
Self-Paced Online Training
Online training for certified water and wastewater operators, managers, and boards, PaDEP approved. Trainings hosted by SunCoast Learning on your computer at home, the office, or library.
Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Training Program
Operator Certification training to prepare for the PaDEP Water and Wastewater System Operator Certification Exam.
What is PRWA certification?
PRWA introduces a new training program to help individuals to learn the fundamentals of becoming a Certified Water or Wastewater Operator. The PRWA Professional Certification Training Program provides training and guidance to assist operators in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to not achieve certification, but to also understand the responsibility of being a Water or Wastewater Treatment Professional.
What is a treatment professional?
Treatment professionals epitomize a public health official. They are committed to eliminating and preventing harm from materializing while producing and distributing safe drinking water to millions of Americans. In Pennsylvania, a person may not independently make a process control decision at a water system unless that person is Board-certified.
Can you make a water control decision in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a person may not independently make a process control decision at a water system unless that person is Board-certified. To meet certification requirements, applicants must pass the appropriate examinations, meet minimum education requirements, and meet experience requirements.
What is wastewater treatment operator?
A Wastewater Treatment Operator maintains a variety of plant equipment in connection with the operation of a large wastewater treatment plants, directs lower level operators and performs related work as required.
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 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 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.
Certifications
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires all states to complete an external review of their Operator Certification Program at least once every five years. External program reviews provide the state with a report describing the results of the review and listing recommendations …
Resources
- The following information includes the strengths of Pennsylvania's operator program, areas of weakness, and recommendations for improvements. The information also includes the results of an electronic statewide survey that was distributed to drinking water and wastewater certified operators, system owners, training and exam providers, and examinees during July 1 through Se…
Functions
- The Board's duties and powers include (1) the review of applications for certification, recertification, and renewal of certification of water and wastewater system operators; (2) administration of DEP examinations concerning the competency of applicants for certification and recertification; and (3) review, provide written comments, and make recommendation to DE…
Background
- DEP has petitioned the Board to take action on a number of cases involving falsification of operating records and falsification of certificates. Under Pennsylvania's Crimes Code (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 101 to 9402), it is a criminal offense if a person knowingly makes a false entry in, or false alteration of a record or document that (1) belongs to, is received by, or is kept by a government …
Purpose
- The purpose of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Operator Certification Program is to protect public health, safety, and the environment and promote the long-term sustainability of the Commonwealth's drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. The attached Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems Operator Certification Program Handbook is now publicly available to …
Contents
- The appendices also contain helpful information and templates, including the need-to-know criteria for examinations, definitions of classes and subclasses, a template for an operator report to the system owner, example templates for Standard Operating Procedures, an example process control plan template, and circuit rider work plans and management plan templates.
Status
- The Water and Wastewater Systems Operators Certification Program Regulations, Chapter 302Opens In A New Window were published as final in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Sept. 18, 2010. There are a few things that will change as a result of the new regulations. These include: