For the past several years, the Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP) Program has been experiencing what some might call growing pains. The transition to the CCWP Portal was traumatic to some operators and a relief to others. Some are still figuring it out. What has been a little more subtle than the CCWP Portal is the growing emphasis on professionalism. To acknowledge that there is more going on than simply “operation,” operators are referred to as “certified water professionals.” Many facilities now utilize electronic monitoring and data collection. Certified water professionals need to be computer literate, as well as able to apply biological and chemical principles to transform raw water into safe water for drinking and/or recreation. They need to use mathematical equations to calculate appropriate chemical dosages, flows, pressure, etc. The qualifications for certification, (including education, experience, on-going training and sufficient knowledge to pass a specialized examination) separate certified water professionals from less skilled workers.
For these reasons, in 2018, the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (board) adopted the Colorado Certified Water Professionals Code of Conduct, to which every applicant for certification or certificate renewal must agree.
A code of conduct clarifies a profession’s mission, values and principles. It is both an internal guideline and an external statement of values and commitments. Internally, a written code of conduct provides benchmarks against which individual performance can be measured. Externally, it serves as a public statement of the profession’s commitment to high standards and proper conduct.
The Colorado Certified Water Professional Code of Conduct emphasizes the profession’s commitment to protecting public health and the environment. It holds certified water professionals to standards of behavior that include honesty, excellence, responsibility and compliance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations and permits. At all times, certified water professionals are expected to use their knowledge to help safeguard water quality for Colorado residents and visitors.
The importance of this professional code is underscored by the fact that every certified water professional must agree to it. Failure to follow the code of conduct can be grounds for disciplinary action by the board. If you haven’t reviewed the Colorado Certified Water Professional Code of Conduct lately, take a couple of minutes to do so now.
