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Plant maintenance at a surface water treatment facility.
Operator certification helps protect human health and the environment by establishing minimum professional standards for the operation and maintenance of public water systems. In 1999, EPA issued operator certification program guidelines specifying minimum standards for certification and recertification of the operators of community and nontransient noncommunity public water systems. These guidelines are currently being implemented through state operator certification programs. While the specific requirements vary from state to state, the goal of all operator certification programs is to ensure that skilled professionals are overseeing the treatment and distribution of safe drinking water. Operator certification is an important step in promoting compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
What can I find on this website?
The following information and resources are available through this website:
- Basic Information – Overview of the national operator certification initiative and its implementation.
- Information for States and Technical Assistance Providers – Guidelines and reference materials for drinking water agencies and technical assistance providers implementing operator certification programs.
- Information for Operators – Helpful information for public water system owners/operators, including links to technical assistance providers.