More Information

Additional information is available at the Connecticut Department Drinking Water Section Homepage at of Public Health www.ct.gov/dph/publicdrinkingwater

There are several operator certification Drinking Water Section documents available, including a guidance document for the approval of training acceptable for renewal, lists of duties and CERTIFICATION responsibilities of public water system operators, lists of approved training courses OF PUBLIC and providers, exam dates and applications, and a list of certified operators available for WATER SYSTEM contract work. OPERATORS The DWS staff can provide you with answers regarding the certification of public water supply system operators, as well as provide water supply systems and certified operators technical assistance. Contact the DWS for more information at (860) 509-7333.

To learn more about public drinking water contact the

Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Safe Drinking Water STATE OF CONNECTICUT Hotline at 1.800.426.4791, Department of Public Health or log on to www.epa.gov. To learn more Regulatory Services Branch about the Safe Drinking Water Act, log on to Drinking Water Section EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking 410 Capitol Avenue Water at: MS #51 WAT, P.O. Box 340308 www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/sdwa.html. Hartford, Connecticut 06134-0308 860.509.7333 860.509.7359 (fax) Introduction Present Requirements Expense Reimbursement Grant The Department of Public Health has required the Under the 1996 Safe Drinking In February 2003, the certification of public water system operators since Water Act Amendments, the Drinking Water Division 1937. A formal program was adopted in 1982. The Environmental Protection received approval for the Department has revised this program to meet new Agency (EPA) published Expense Reimbursement Federal Guidelines. These changes affect guidelines for minimum Grant, or ERG. The ERG operators of all community and non-transient standards for certification in is funding provided by non-community water systems. This brochure February 1999. States had EPA for supporting training and certification for describes operator certification, previous until February 2001 to implement the guidelines to operators of Non-Transient Non-Community and requirements and recent changes. ensure that 20% of their State Revolving Fund Community Public Water Systems that serve 3,300 (SRF) funding continued to be available. This persons or less. Specifically, the ERG funding will would mean a benefit of approximately $1.25 be applied to the following areas: million for water system projects in Connecticut. Why Certify? • Offering free training courses to eligible The Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies operators. Why is it necessary to were amended in July 2001 to meet the EPA certify operators of guidelines. The EPA approved Connecticut’s • Exam fee waivers. public water systems? Operator Certification Program in November • Updating the “Public Water System Operator Certification of 2001. Present regulations include the following: Certification Handbook.” operators is a • mechanism to: All Community Water Systems and all Non- Transient Non-Community Water Systems • Distributing pertinent operator information through a newsletter. • ensure that qualified personnel are operating are required to have their Water Treatment water systems; Plants, Distribution Systems, and Small Water Systems operated by certified Additional information can be obtained • minimize public health concerns; operators. from the following:

• develop public trust & confidence in drinking • Treatment Plants are divided into four • The CT Section of the American Water water; classifications by a point system based on plant size, flow, and complexity. Distribution Works Association at www.ctawwa.org or • maximize the performance of the system; Systems are divided into three classifications 203.757.1855 based on populations served. A Small Water • • protect the safety of the operators; The Association of State Drinking Water System serves less than 1000 persons and has Administrators at www.asdwa.org or no treatment. • improve compliance with regulations; 202.293.7655 • To become certified an operator must meet • • optimize operation costs; The American Ground Water Trust at specific education and experience www.agwt.org or 603.228.5444 requirements, based on the plant or system • protect the system’s equipment; classification, and pass an examination. • The State Department of Public Utility • establish the job as a profession; Operators must renew their certificates every Control (DPUC) at www.ct.gov/dpuc or three years by meeting specific training hour 1.800.382.4586. requirements for renewal. • maintain minimum operators • The Atlantic States Rural Water and education/knowledge. Wastewater Association at www.asrwwa.org or at 860.889.6373