Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution System Operators
Last Update: March 18, 2013
In 1971, laws and regulations governing the certification of potable water treatment facility operation were enacted. They establish the level at which water treatment facilities should be manned; the minimum qualifications for testing at each of the five grade levels, and criteria for the renewal and revocation of certificates. They apply to a program consisting of ~13,000 certified water treatment operators. In 1998, the US EPA released Guidelines for the Certification and Recertification of Operators of Community and Nontransient Noncommunity Public Water Systems. Based on these guidelines, state regulations governing the certification of potable water treatment operators were revised to include distribution operators at five grade levels, effective January 2001. For more, see the California Operator Certification Program Annual Report (2005) (PDF)
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Scroll to the bottom of this page for information about certification, the application and exam process, and continuing education and training.
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Treatment Operator Subject Matter Experts Needed
The Operator Certification Program is in the process of reviewing and updating the Expected Range of Knowledge used to prepare the drinking water treatment exams. We are seeking volunteers to serve as Subject Matter Experts, (SME’s), in the field of drinking water treatment. As an SME you will be part of a group of water professionals that will review and update the current water treatment job analysis and identify the critical tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to operate a water treatment plant in California.
To serve as a Subject Matter Expert you must hold a valid T1 – T5 certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health and have direct, up-to-date experience in the drinking water treatment field. Continuing education contact hours will be issued for your participation.
If you are interested or have any questions please contact Jon Strutzel at jon.strutzel@cdph.ca.gov.
Distribution Exams Results
Treatment Exams Results
Certified Water Treatment Operators
Certified Water Distribution Operators
Change of Address
Contact Information
The Operator Certification Program is located at 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 74.250, Sacramento, California, 95814. For general information or inquiries, please contact the Operator Certification Program at:
Operator Certification Program (OpCert)
Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management
California Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 997377, MS 7417
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Telephone: (916) 449-5611
Fax: (916) 449-5654
Operator Certification Program Contacts
Follow these links for additional information: