Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution System Operators
Last Update: February 8, 2012
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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Small water systems may be interested in the Small Water System Operator Certification Expense Reimbursement Grant Program.
Changes to the Water Distribution Exams, Effective September 2012
The D1 – D5 water distribution exams will change to a 100 question exam similar to the water treatment exams starting in September 2012. This change will reflect the new Expected Range of Knowledge developed through the exam validation process by CDPH and subject matter experts. The new exams will consist of 100 multiple choice questions that will include 15 that require mathematical calculations, (math problems). Each question is worth one point unless a calculation is required in which case it is worth two points. The following two files reflect the revised breakdown of the questions for each grade level and the updated Expected Range of Knowledge.
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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Distribution Exams Results
Treatment Exams Results
Certified Water Treatment Operators
Certified Water Distribution Operators
Change of Address
Contact Information
The Department of Public Health, Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management (DDWEM), 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 via:
Telephone: (916) 449-5611
Fax: (916) 449-5654
Writing: Operator Certification Program (OpCert)
Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management
Department of Public Health
P.O. Box 997377, MS7417
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Operator Certification Program Contacts
Follow these links for additional information: