Operator Certification | Operator Certification

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Information on upcoming renewals
Contract template for water systems: Based on the Contracting for Services rule (PDF) for contract language, a draft version (i.e., subject to change) is now available: MS Word -or- PDF.
Small water system training course is now available online: Click here for more information.

State law require owners of public and private drinking water and wastewater systems to have their systems under the responsible control and direction of certified operators. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment.
Oregon Drinking Water Program (DWP) administers the certification program for drinking water system operators. All Community and Non-Transient Non-Community water systems must be under the supervision of a certified operator. DWP classifies water distribution systems and treatment plants according to their complexity or size, and establishes minimum certification standards for personnel responsible for operating these systems. Oregon offers two separate types of certification based on the system size:
- Water systems with 149 or fewer connections (and utilizing groundwater as their only source or purchasing all their water from another public water system without adding any additional treatment) require a small water system "S" certification.
- Water systems with 150 or more connections require certification at "Levels 1-4" in either treatment and/or distribution.
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the program for domestic wastewater system operators; i.e., DEQ certifies people for Wastewater Treatment and Collection. For more information, please e-mail Genet Belete, or call 503-229-5349 or 800-452-4011.

Biennial Report to the Legislature 2009-2010 (PDF): Joint report by DWP and DEQ on certification of water and wastewater operators.
Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) on Operator Certificaton
OAR Definitions (PDF): A list of definitions for terms utilized throughout the drinking water OARs that include definitions related and specific to water system operators and operator certification.