Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution System Operators

Last Update: September 10, 2008

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).

Small water systems may be interested in the Small Water System Operator Certification Expense Reimbursement Grant Program. 

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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New Water Treatment Exams

• New Water Treatment Exams in 2008 (PDF)

Certified Water Treatment Operators

• Treatment Operators A-L (PDF)
• Treatment Operators M-Z (PDF)
• Treatment Package

Certified Water Distribution Operators

• Distribution Operators A-L (PDF)
• Distribution Operators M-Z (PDF)
• Distribution Package

Change of Address

• Change of Address Form

Contact Information

The Operator Certification Program is located at 1616 Capitol Avenue (2nd floor) in Sacramento. To contact the Program, please write us at:

Comments or questions about the Operator Certification program should be directed to Jon.Strutzel@cdph.ca.gov

Follow these links for additional information: