Water Treatment Operators | Certification | California-Nevada Section AWWA

1. Definitions - The terms defined hereby apply explicitly to the California-Nevada Section, American Water Works Association (CA-NV Section) Water Treatment Operators Certification Program.

1.1 Applicant - An individual applying for initial, upgraded, reciprocity, or re-certification by submission of a standard application to the administrator.

1.2 Administrator - The CA-NV Section employee evaluating applications, administering examinations, issuing certificates, and performing associated duties.

1.3 Certificate - A certificate issued by the CA-NV Section AWWA attesting to the fact that an operator has proven his or her qualifications for operating and maintaining a water distribution system, according to the requirements stated herein.

1.4 Certification Director - The person appointed by the Governing Board of the Section to present the certification programs.

1.5 Certification Grade - The level of operator certification as Grade I II,III,IV as defined within these Rules, corresponding to an applicant's degree of knowledge, experience, and responsibility in the operation/supervision of a public water distribution system.

1.6 Committee - The CA-NV Section AWWA Water Treatment Certification Committee as appointed and administered by the Section via the Certification Board and charged with implementing the program for Operators.

1.7 Contact Hour - A minimum 50 minutes of actual time an attendee participates in continuing education offered by an approved provider, on a public water supply related topic.

1.8 Continuing Education Course - A presentation given by an accepted provider that transmits information related to the operation of a treatment plant and/or distribution system, including but not limited to, water quality maintenance in the public water supply system, or a similar class from an Western Accredited College (W.A.C.) or the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) accredited college.

1.9 Course of Instruction - A course of instruction acceptable to the Administrator which is the equivalent to a three-unit (3-Unit) college course. This course of instruction must be at least 36 hours over a minimum period of three weeks.

1.10 Manager/Assistant - The employee of water agency with the ultimate administrative responsibility for its water distribution system, and the immediate subordinate in charge in his/her absence. Manager shall not ordinarily apply to and official exercising only general administrative supervision, such as a City Engineer or Public Works Director.

1.11 Operator - An employee of a water purveyor who directly operators and/or supervises the operations of a public water distribution system supplying domestic water.

1.12 Section - The California-Nevada Section, American Water Works Association (AWWA).

1.13 Supervisor/Superintendent - The employee of a public water purveyor who has the responsibility of supervising operators.

1.14 Voluntary Temporary Suspension - A suspension of all rights and responsibilities related to the certificate that is requested by the certificate holder. A statement of illness or other good cause, verified by a corroborating statement from a licensed physician must accompany the request. This suspension can be maintained for a maximum of two years.

1.15 Waiver - A release from certain requirements granted by the Certification Director as allowed for under specific sections of the Rules.

1.16 Water Distribution System - Facilities for collecting, conveying, storing, pumping, controlling, treating (disinfecting) and distributing potable water.

2. GENERAL CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

2.1 Applicants for certification, upgrade, or reciprocity must submit a completed application, as available from the section office for evaluation at least 60 days prior to the time set for the examination. Applicant shall be notified of the time and place of the examination at least fifteen (20) days prior to the date of the examination.

2.2 Applicants will be notified within thirty (30) working days of passage or failure of the examination. Upon passage applicant is considered to be certified by the CA-NV Section of the AWWA.

2.3 Wallet cards for any grade are valid for two years from the date of issuance. Updated wallet cards will be issued upon renewal.

3.1 The application fee for certification examination in any grade shall be payable to the CA-NV Section. The current application fee shall be posted on the application forms provided by the Section.

3.3 Checks returned for non-sufficient funds (NSF) will be subject to a returned check charge equal to the application fee.

4.1 Operators with current Grades I through III may apply for the next higher grade with submittal of an application and required fee. (See Section 2 of these Rules).

4.2 Applications for examination will not be accepted from any individual requesting a grade more than one (1) grade higher than they currently hold, and their present job duties justify.

4.3 The Administrator's decision as to any operator's qualifications for upgrade may be appealed per Section 8 of these rules.

5.1 An initial certificate for any discipline/grade shall be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance. Any person wishing to maintain a valid certificate shall submit an application for renewal prior to the expiration date, but no more than six months, prior to the expiration date indicated on the certificate. The request for renewal shall include the following:

(a) The applicant's name, current mailing address, grade, and certificate number.

(c) Proof of continuing education contact hours in amounts required by subsection (2) Table A. For each successfully completed course, the proof of completion shall include the name of the course, the name of the instructor, the location, the date(s), and the number of contact hours provided.

5.2 To be eligible for certificate renewal, certificate holders submitting renewal applications after July 1, 2005, shall complete continuing education contact hours since the previous renewal or issuance of the certificate pursuant to Table A. No more than 25% of the contact hours shall be safety courses.

(a) The certificate holder shall retain proof of continuing education as supplied by the acceptable provider for a minimum of four years.

(b) Certificate holders possessing certificates in more than one CA-NV AWWA discipline may apply continuing education credits obtained within a renewal period to all current certificates.

(c) Full semester courses taken at an accredited college, related to the operation and maintenance of public water supply systems, including water quality maintenance in the distribution system, shall be applicable for the hours listed in the accredited college's course outline.

(d) Any certificate holder selected for an audit of compliance with the continuing education requirement shall submit to the Section a copy of proof of completion provided to the applicant for renewal by the provider of the continuing education since the date of last certificate renewal, within 30 calendar days of notification of selection.

(i) The certificate for any applicant for renewal who is found to have not successfully completed the continuing education requirement of this article will be revoked.

(ii) The applicant shall have the right to appeal such findings to the Section. An appeal shall be requested in writing to the Administrator of the discipline in question.

(e) When applying for renewal of a certificate, an applicant may request a waiver of all or part of the continuing education requirement. To be eligible for a waiver, an applicant shall verify the following in writing to the Section Office:

(i) Residence in another country for at least half the period since the certificate was issued or last renewed, and that this prevented completion of the continuing education requirements; or

(ii) Absence from employment due to military service for at least half the certificate period since the certificate was issued or last renewed, and that this prevented completion of the continuing evaluation requirements.

(f) When applying for renewal of a certificate, an applicant may request a voluntary temporary suspension of the certificate. To be eligible for a voluntary temporary suspension, an applicant shall verify the following in writing to the Section Office:

(i) Illness or other good cause, verified by a corroborating statement from a licensed physician, that precluded completion of the continuing education requirements. Qualifying illnesses or causes include, but are not limited to:

a) Total physical and/or mental disability of the operator for at least half of the period since the certificate was issued, or if previously renewed, since it was last renewed; or

b) Total physical and/or mental disability of an immediate family member for at least half of the period since the certificate was issued or last renewed, where the applicant has total responsibility for the care of that family member.

(ii) A voluntary temporary suspension of a certificate can extend a maximum of two years. To end a temporary suspension, the applicant must supply verification from a licensed physician that corroborated the reason for the voluntary suspension that the condition has been mitigated and meet the continuing education requirements and pay all fees and penalties due.

5.3 Each successfully renewed certificate shall be valid for a period of two years.

5.4 Renewal notices are mailed sixty (60) days prior to an operator's expiration date. It is the responsibility of the operator to notify the Section of a change in address.

5.5 Operators failing to renew their certificate within three (3) months after their expiration date will pay a penalty equal to the amount of the renewal fee. Operators, who have not renewed their certificates within six (6) months of their expiration date, will be removed from the current certification program files.

5.6 Operators delinquent over six (6) months, yet less than one (1) year, may request reinstatement by submitting an application, the application fee, and show continued employment in the water industry and/or continued education.

5.7 Operator's delinquent over one (1) year must submit an application and pass the water distribution examination with a passing score.

6.1 The Section utilizes Water Treatment Operator examinations prepared by the Committee under the “Need to Know” guidelines of the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). The examinations are changed regularly to ensure their confidentiality, reflect current practice, and maintain compliance with national reciprocity guidelines.

6.2 Examinations of Grades I through IV are written exams. All Examinations are “closed-book”.

6.3 Written examinations will be conducted at scheduled locations and dates within California or Nevada to meet the needs of the majority of operators, with the Section providing the information upon request. Exams are administered by a local proctor approved by the Administrator. Written examinations may also be given at the semi-annual Section conferences.

6.4 An applicant failing an exam (less than 70% score) may apply for re-examination after 6 months upon submission of a new application and payment of fee.

6.5 If an applicant fails to appear for a scheduled examination without prior notification to the Section Office, he/she will required to resubmit an application and fee for a future exam.

6.6 Applicants seeking a higher certification grade must be current with the grade they currently possess.

7.1 Upon passing the certification exam with a score of seventy percent (70%) or better, a Certificate, issued by the Section, will state the type and grade of certification, full name of the operator, certificate number, date of issuance, the official seal of the Section, and be signed by the Certification Administrator and Certification Director.

7.2 A currently certified operator may request a replacement or duplicate certificate from the Section office for a nominal fee.

8.1 The Section may revoke any certificate issued under these rules, upon the submission of conclusive evidence from the committee that the holder of the certificate has been found to have obtained the certificate by fraud or deceit, or displays gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct in the performance of his/her duties as an operator.

8.2 All appeals and protests must be in writing to the Committee Chair. This notification shall be fifteen (15) days of the receipt of the Administrator's written determination. The Committee Chair shall, within thirty (30) days, make an inquiry of the protests and give an answer in writing. Any further appeals must be in writing to the Certification Director. Further appeal may be made to the Section Secretary who shall consult the Section Governing Board, whose decision shall be final. Appellant must send the original facts, then state in writing what part of the Director's decision is deemed improper, and why.

9.1 Certificates issued under this program may be eligible for reciprocity into the Section's Water Treatment Operator program by recommendation from the Program Administrator. In order to determine reciprocity eligibility, the information must be submitted to the Administrator
1. A copy of one's current certificate and/or wallet card;
2. Proof of qualifying experience for the grade requested.
3. Completed application
4. Application Fee

10.1 A certificate that has been revoked for failure to complete the continuing education contact hours required in Table A may be reinstated within six months if all requirements specified in Table A are met and all penalties as established in the Rules Governing Certification are paid and the renewal application is complete. Contact hours obtained for reinstatement shall not be used to satisfy the requirements of the next renewal period.

10.2 A certificate that has been expired for more than one year shall not be renewed.

10.3 The expiration date of a certificate that has been renewed pursuant to this section shall remain the same as if the previous certificate had been renewed prior to the expiration date.

11.1 Only providers who offer continuing education programs that meet all of the following criteria shall be accepted:

(a) Use instructors who are competent in subject matter by education, training, or experience, and maintain a brief biography for the instructor,

(b) Offer courses that are a minimum of 50 minutes in duration excluding evaluation by participants of the continuing education program,

(e) Use teaching methods which are consistent with the objectives of the continuing education program; and

(f) Have a method for determining participants' attendance and/or participation in the class and exams.

(g) Maintain accurate and complete records and copies of all reference materials, handouts and any and all other additional materials provided to and used by the attendees and is able to provide copies upon request.

12.1 The Committee may recommend revisions to these Rules to the Certification Board from time to time, as it deems necessary to institute new policies and improve the program. Upon approval from the Section Governing Board, such revisions will be published sixty (60) days prior to the effective date.

12.2 The Certification Director and the Section Chair may render decisions on matters not explicitly covered in these Rules.

13.1 Operators Certified under this program must:
(a) Be able to carry out all duties and responsibilities inherent in the operation and/or supervision of a public water system;
(b) Be able to comprehend the English language to the extent that effective communications can be held with co-workers and supervisors.
(c) Have attained his/her 18th birthday.

14 GRADE QUALIFICATIONS

(a) Job Description-Performance of operational duties as a trainee operator for a water distribution system, under direct supervision as a trainee.

(i) Education- Two (2) years high school, or demonstrated equivalent academic ability.

(iii) Course of Instruction- Satisfactory completion of one (1) semester of a distribution-oriented waterworks course as referred to in 1.9 of these rules.

(a) Job Description – Performance of operational duties such as a journeyman operator first-line supervisor of journeyman operators, e.g., lead-man, foreman.

(i) Education – Two (2) years high school, or demonstrated academic equivalent.

(ii) Experience – Two (2) years operating a water distribution system, one (1) year of which as a Grade 1 Operator.

(iii) Course of Instruction- Satisfactory completion of two (2) courses of waterworks courses as defined in Section 1.9 of these rules.

(a) Job Description – Operation and supervision of a water system in the position of a supervisor, e.g., field supervisor/superintendent, chief operator, assistant manager.

(ii) Experience – Four years experience in operation/supervision of a water distribution system, one (1) year of which as a current Grade II Operator.

(iii) Course of Instruction- Satisfactory completion of four (4) courses of instruction, as defined in section 1.9 of these rules, of which up to two (2) semesters may be acceptable as equivalent correspondence coursework.

(a) Job Description – Operation and management of a water system in the position of supervisor as herein defined, i.e., field superintendent, assistant manger.

(i) Education- A specialized bachelor's degree in related technical discipline, or proven academic equivalent (coursework) and ten (10) years experience.
(ii) Experience- Five (5) years recent experience in supervision/operation of a water distribution system, two (2) years of which as a current Grade III Operator.
(iii) Course of Instruction- Satisfactory completion of eight (8) semesters of waterworks courses, as defined in section 1.9 of these rules, or combination of resident, correspondence, professional, publications, etc., considered the academic equivalent by the Administrator.