Imagine you are a small business owner operating a water system that is located in a remote area of Colorado, away from major population centers. You have a certified water operator running your water system, and you’re planning on opening another business, but your trusted contract operator just told you that they cannot take on any more work. You got to thinking - maybe we can move operations in-house? What would it take to get someone on my team who lives in the area certified as a water operator? Here’s what it takes!Remember, proper operation of a water system is vital to protect public health. It takes considerable knowledge and skills, but these can be gained with a reasonable amount of time and effort. On average, it takes about 6-12 months to become certified, depending on how much time you can invest in the process. This article includes the following information relevant to becoming a certified operator in Colorado:
- Regulations governing drinking water (DW) and wastewater (WW) operators.
- Obtaining an operator ID from the Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP).
- Minimum qualifying experience.
- Training resources to prepare for an operator certification exam.
- Training Units (TUs).
- Operator certification exam.
- Compliance assistance - CDPHE’s Drinking Water Portal, sampling and resources.
1. Regulations governing drinking water (DW) and wastewater (WW) operators
Regulation 100, Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Requirements, specifies the pertinent information about being an operator, including owner & operator duties, facility classifications, certification qualifications, education, experience, and fees. Colorado-certified operators are subject to the Colorado Certified Water Professionals Code of Conduct and are also responsible for being knowledgeable of the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (board) Policies and Guidance documents, which you can find on the board’s website.
If you are thinking about becoming a drinking water operator, you will want to develop an understanding of Regulation 11. This document houses the state of Colorado’s primary drinking water regulations. It is not expected that you memorize this information, however, this regulation is a good resource to understand why requirements are put into place at specific water systems.
2. Obtaining an operator ID from the Colorado Certified Water Professionals
After reviewing the above information, your first step will be to create a Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP) Portal account and obtain an Operator ID number. The instructions on how to do so and how to apply for certification and sit for an exam can be found on CCWP's website. You can also find helpful videos on operating the CCWP Portal.
If you need assistance setting up your operator account in the CCWP Portal or entering your information into your portal account, please contact CCWP at (719) 225-7339 or info@coloradocwp.com.
3. Minimum qualifying experience
Applicants for entry-level certification examinations (Class D, Class 1, or Class S) must satisfy a one-month experience requirement or the successful completion of an approved training course of study that is designed to prepare the operator to operate Class D or Class 1 facilities. Per 100.14.5(k)(i), Regulation 100, experience needs to be obtained under the supervision of a certified operator in responsible charge.
The division provides other free training opportunities that include various online options. You can also find several other training providers in Colorado that provide approved courses by simply Googling "water operator training Colorado." All approved courses can be found in the Course Catalog, and you can also filter for those courses that have been "Approved for regulatory water training" and "Approved as substitution for entry-level operating experience." All individuals seeking their professional water operator certification are required to have either 30 days of relevant operational experience, or the substitutive educational credit. The CCWP portal will allow you to calculate your relevant experience and educational hours to determine that you have met the requirements. Please reach out to CCWP if you have any questions about this process.
4. Training resources to prepare for an operator certification exam
The CCWP Need to Know Criteria Page contains information on the exam and study resources to prepare for your exam. It is recommended that you work in the CCWP portal and contact the CCWP office to see how your previous work experience translates. CCWP staff are extremely knowledgeable and more than happy to assist in understanding the portal application process or to answer any questions on whether information is being accurately represented on an application.
The CCWP’s Certification Exam Guidance outlines the certification requirements necessary for becoming an operator. It covers the education, training, exam review process, and exam procedures. Be sure to identify what level of certification your facility will require. If you are a small business owner, many small systems may require a Class “D” treatment certification & Class “1” distribution system certification, which would mean you will be applying for entry-level certification. Depending on the population served and treatment & distribution requirements, you may also be able to obtain a Class “S” or small systems certification per regulation 100.10.5 (d).
Some free resources for training and exam prep include:
There are some at-cost options for training as well, such as the American Water Works Association (AWWA), which has an operator certification exam prep app to prepare for the examination.
5. Training Units (TUs)
Certified operators are required to obtain Training Units (TUs) to obtain their initial certification; they are also required to meet continuing education requirements to maintain each certification. To determine the appropriate number of training units required for certification renewal, please refer to table 100.16.7 provided in Regulation 100.
You will be required to sit for a Mandatory Regulatory Training (MRT) course to apply for a certification. Once you have your Operator ID. The CDPHE has contracted with Indigo Water group, you can also take the free, on-demand virtual Mandatory & Regulatory Training courses by following the instructions provided on the MRT website.
6. Operator certification exam
Once you have met all of the certification and training unit requirements, and you feel adequately prepared to take the exam, schedule your exam at one of the ten locations or online. You will get a registration email from CCWP for this step. The exam will take the better part of the day, but you worked so hard to prepare, so don’t be nervous. You can do it!
This handbook for Colorado candidates breaks down all of the expectations for taking the exam. You can find additional information from CCWP about the exam process here.
7. Compliance assistance - CDPHE’s Drinking Water Portal, sampling, and resources
You will want to be familiar with the CDPHE's Drinking Water Resources for Water Systems page. This page houses many of the links that you will find yourself regularly using in your interactions with the state. The Compliance Assurance page can help you find your Compliance Specialist for your water system, sign up for a Drinking Water Portal account, and find guidance for a variety of topics. The Drinking Water Portal is where you will submit all of your water systems’ documentation to the state. Your compliance specialist is your direct contact at the State for all things drinking water regulations and can help you with any questions you may have. We’re here to assist you!
Another important page is the monitoring schedule page, which outlines all required testing for your water system. This is where you can check if your sample results have been received or if there are any upcoming deadlines for your water system. Since your primary duty as an operator is collecting and reporting samples, here is a list of certified laboratories approved for testing and information on appropriate sample reporting to the state. You can find many other resources on operator certification in our Aqua Talk Articles.
If it's the right time for you or someone on your team, we salute the choice to become a member of the respected certified operator community and wish you the best of luck as you navigate this new challenge. We welcome you as you take on a new role in helping us meet our public health protection mission and helping assure that drinking water is always safe.
➽ Leah York, Drinking Water Compliance Specialist
➽ Lisa Pietrangelo, Drinking Water Compliance Specialist
