Important Stuff Breaking News! State Supreme Court Upholds Water Plan's Environmental Impact Report Letter to the Governor from Congressman Nunes on the drought. _______________ NEW 2008 WATER COLLEGE CATALOGUE!! Click Here to view information about Education and Certification offerings. _______________ SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA August 20, 2008 Orange, CA Attendees: Click Here for the Registration Notice. Click Here to Register Online Exhibitors: Click Here. for a Table-Top Prospectus Click Here to Register Online _______________ FALL CONFERENCE October 20-23, 2008 Reno, NV Overview Attendees: Click Here for a Registration Form Click Here to Register Online Exhibitors: Click Here for a Exhibitor Prospectus Click Here to Register Online _______________ 2008 Fall Symposium September 17 & 18 Monterey, CA Please click here for a Registration Form. _______________ Interested in having training at your water district? Click here to learn about our FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM _______________ East Valley Water District 2008 Water Quality & Regulatory Conference October 15 - 17, 2008 _______________ WATERSMART INNOVATIONS The California – Nevada Section is proud to announce a partnership with Water Smart Innovations! The inaugural WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, Oct. 8-10, 2008, in Las Vegas, will be the premiere venue for showcasing new water-efficiency technology; building and strengthening effective, interdisciplinary relationships and establishing your company as an international leader in innovative water efficiency technology and services.  Click here for more information. _______________

Certification Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to see the answer

GENERAL QUESTIONS

• What is backflow?

• Answer:	Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow of non-potable water or other substances through a cross-connection and into the piping of a public water system or consumer's potable water system.

• What is a backflow prevention assembly?

• Answer:

  A backflow prevention assembly is a means or mechanism to prevent backflow. The basic means of preventing backflow is an air gap, which either eliminates a cross-connection or provides a barrier to backflow. The basic mechanism for preventing backflow is a mechanical backflow prevention assembly, which provides a physical barrier to backflow. The principal types of mechanical backflow prevention assembly are the reduced-pressure principle assembly, the pressure vacuum breaker assembly, spill resistant vacuum breaker, and the double check valve assembly.

• Is my certification number my AWWA membership number?

• Answer:	No. AWWA members are issued a separate membership number. Your certification number is NOT your AWWA membership number. You do not have to be a member to take our exams, however members do receive a discount on the exam price. For a complete list of member benefits, visit www.awwa.org.

• My company would like to hire a certified tester. How can I get a list of certified testers?

• Answer:	You must submit a written request on company letterhead listing specific zip codes in the requested area and the requested due date. Please sign the letter and include an email address the list can be sent to. Once the request has been approved, you will receive a list of certified individuals and their addresses only.

RENEWALS

• My certification has expired (or is about to expire) but I did not receive a notice. Will I be getting one?

• Answer:

  It is your responsibility to ensure your certification is kept current. If your certification is about to expire, but you have not received a notice, please send in your application and form of payment. The Renewal by Fax and credit card authorization forms are available here (click on form name). It is also possible your current address has not been updated. Change of address forms are also available. Renewal notices will be sent out; however, in an effort to "go green," the Section is currently looking into other methods to get the information to you electronically.

• May I give you my new address over the phone?

• Answer:	No, please fax or mail the address change. Address changes must be in writing with a signature for our records.

• I need to know my expiration date or certification status

• Answer:	This information is not given over the phone; a renewal notice will be sent to the address on file.

• I need to renew my certification. How many contact hours do I need?

• Answer:	The number of contact hours you need for your recertification depends on your certification type. Contact hours are not required for Backflow recertification (you need to take a recertification exam). No contact hours are needed for Water Conservation renewals. See chart below for contact hour requirements for all other disciplines. Please be sure to include copies of your contact hour certificates with your payment and renewal forms.

  Discipline	Contact Hours Required
  Cross Connection Control Specialist (Sec. 4)
  Certificate	12
  Distribution Operators/Associates (Sec. 5)
  Distribution 1	12
  Distribution 2	16
  Distribution 3	24
  Distribution 4	24
  Water Quality Laboratory Analyst (Sec. 6)
  Water Quality Analyst 1	12
  Water Quality Analyst 2	16
  Water Quality Analyst 3	24
  Water Quality Analyst 4	24

• I need more contact hours. Where and how can I get them?

• Answer:	All of the Water College and Section educational offerings (i.e. workshops, courses, conferences, events, etc) are an acceptable way to earn contact hours. Check the Calendar of Events on the website for the most up to date information. Water related courses offered through community colleges also meet the contact hour requirement.

• May I give you my credit card information to pay for my renewal over the phone?

• Answer:	No, you may use the Renewal/Recertification by Fax form because a signature is required to charge all credit cards. No exceptions can be made.

EXAMS

• I want to sign up for 2008 exam dates, but none are listed. What should I do?

• Answer:	The 2008 dates will be available at the end of November 2007 and will be posted on the website. Please check back at the end of the month.

• How do I register for an exam?

• Answer:	You must complete an exam application and submit a form of payment (check or credit card) 20 days in advance of exam date. Click here for a credit card authorization form . Registrations will not be taken over the phone.

• How do I know if an exam is full/closed?

• Answer:	Click on Calendar of Events to get the most up to date information on the status of exams.

• How do I know if I am registered for an exam?

• Answer:	Once your application and payment are received, your application will be verified. You will receive a confirmation letter with exam location 2 weeks in advance. Should your application be denied for any reason (for example, exam is full, you do not meet the requirements, etc.), you will be contacted as soon as possible.

• I need to reschedule my exam date. What should I do?

• Answer:	Should you need to reschedule an exam due to illness or an emergency, you must contact the Section immediately. Your payment may be applied to a future test date; your payment will not be held longer than a year. Please note: you are only allowed to reschedule an exam once (replacement date must fall within 12 months of original test date).

• May I have my exam results over the phone?

• Answer:	Exam results will NOT be given over the phone. Exam results will be mailed within 30 business days to the address on file. You must submit a written request to have exam results mailed out a second time.

• When will I receive my results?

• Answer:	Applicants will be notified within 30 working days of the exam date.

• I failed part of my Backflow exam. Do I have to re-take the entire exam again?

• Answer:

  The Backflow exam consists of two written components and a hands-on test. Should you fail any part of the test, you may retake the failed portion(s) and request the Section retain your passing score(s). To secure the passing score, a re-application and payment must be received within 45 days from the exam date. The retained written scores will be valid for the re-examination only. Retained scores will be valid only for 6 months from initial exam date.