In November 2018, the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board updated the criteria for facility classification in Regulation 100. These revisions are important because treatment facility and distribution/collection system classification establishes the minimum certification level for operators who act as the certified operator(s) in responsible charge (ORC).
All facilities are required to have an operator certified at the appropriate level on file with the department who is performing the required duties as specified in Regulation 100. To change operators, a contact form must be submitted to the department (links below for drinking water and wastewater). The division has gathered information and resources to assist operators and facilities meet the ORC requirements for their systems:
Upgrade operator certificate through examination
- CDPHE website explains the process of sitting for exams to advance your certificate
- There are no longer any exam cycles. Instead submit an application for an exam through the CCWP portal. Your applications will be processed within 10 business days
- Having issues with your CCWP portal? Contact the CCWP portal office at info@coloradocwp.com 719-225-7339 or view their tutorial videos.
- Schedule your exam with PSI.
- You will receive an email notification when your exam application is approved with instructions to schedule your exam with PSI. Follow the directions. You have the option to take your exam at a PSI testing center.
- Note: Having a hard time finding somewhere to get tested? Here are some creative options:
- There are 8 PSI testing centers in Colorado. If the closest doesn't have capacity check another.
- You can take the CO exam at PSI testing centers in neighboring states.
- Self -proctored exam - You have the option to take a remotely proctored exam, if your equipment, environment, internet connection, and internet browser meet the requirements.
- Compatibility check: You must confirm that the testing computer is compatible for remote proctoring. Click here and use Google Chrome Browser to complete an audio/video check, webcam check and system check
- Study guides:
- ABC's website provides Need to Know Criteria for exams
- American Water Works Association (AWWA): Principles and Practices of Water Supply Operations Series
- California Sacramento State University, Office of Water Programs: Operator Training Courses
- Water Environment Federation (WEF): Select study guides from the left panel of the web page
- National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities
- New Mexico wastewater study manual (free download)
- Kentucky wastewater treatment manual (free download)
Hire a contract operator until your ORC tests up:
- List of certified contract operators providing service in Colorado
- There must be a written agreement between the ORC and the facility owner, per Regulation 100.10.1(c).
Be sure to keep designated ORC contact info up to date with division
Any additional questions
- If you have additional questions please contact:
- Drinking water: contact your facilities compliance officer. To find your compliance officer visit the Compliance Assurance website and select your county from the drop down list.
- Wastewater: contact your facilities compliance officer. To find the compliance officer appropriate for the permit type, please see the list on the last page of the DMR Guidance document on the Clean Water Guidance website.
Do you think your classification is incorrect?
- To find the information on which your facility classification is based:
- Drinking water: Use the drinking water monitoring plan generator form and select your treatment processes. You will then receive an emailed template that lists your facilities treatment specifications the division has on file.
- Wastewater: contact David Kurz david.kurz@state.co.us to discuss what the division has on file for your facility
- To learn more about facility classification visit the division’s facility classification website and the factsheet
- To find the criteria for classification in Regulation 100:
- Drinking water: 100.4
- Distribution: 100.8
- Waste water: 100.5
- Collection: 100.9
- If you think your facility classification was made in error please contact:
- Drinking water: Tyson Ingels tyson.ingels@state.co.us
- Wastewater: David Kurz david.kurz@state.co.us
