Wastewater Operator Certification Program

Fred Gallant, MEDEP, and Chris Pooler, Bonny Eagle Operator, testing DO levels in the biological reactor.

Introduction
Requirement for a Certified Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC)
Steps to Becoming Certified
Biennial Renewals
Certification Updates
Contacts
Forms and Resource Library
Useful links

Introduction

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) Division of Water Quality Management (DWQM) oversees the Wastewater Operation Certification Program in accordance with MRS Title 32 ch 62 and CMR 09-096 ch 531. In partnership with DWQM, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) handles day-to-day administration of the program through their South Portland Maine office located at 584 Main Street, South Portland, ME 04106. This office also houses the Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC). JETCC is a program partner of NEIWPCC and is supported through a contract with the MEDEP to provide training to wastewater professionals throughout the state. The NEIWPCC-JETCC contact is Aidan Mabey, 207-253-8020, email certification@NEIWPCC-JETCC.org.

Requirement for a Certified Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC)

Aeration Tank at activated sludge plantWastewater treatment plants in Maine holding a state (MEPDES) or federal (NPDES) pollutant discharge elimination system permit or a State waste discharge license (WDL) are assigned a plant classification by DWQM during the licensing process. Classification types and levels include Biological Grades 1-5, Physical/Chemical (P/C) Grades 1-2, and Spray Irrigation Treatment System (SITS) Grades 1-2. Factors affecting plant classification include design flow, unit operations, and system complexity.

The owner of a wastewater treatment plant must designate at least one person to be the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) who holds a certification level equal to or greater than the assigned plant classification, with the exception of a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) in good standing who may be designated the ORC without further certification. The ORC is the individual who has direct responsibility to successfully manage and supervise the operation of the facility. Other employees under the supervision or management of an ORC may but need not be certified.

Steps to Becoming Certified

Operators are certified by examination or reciprocity with other state certification  programs. MEDEP uses customized examinations in conjunction with Water Professionals International (WPI). To apply for an exam, Operators must complete an Exam Application and send the appropriate fee to NEIWPCC-JETCC. MEDEP reviews and approves all applications for eligibility to sit for an exam. Eligibility is based on the operator’s education and work experience in accordance with Table 1 below. An applicant who does not meet the required work and/or educational experience may apply for Provisional Certification.

Table 1 - Biological Certification Education and Work Experience Requirements

Grade

Grade-Specific Requirements

1

High school diploma or General Educational Development certificate (GED). No work experience required.

2

1 year wastewater work experience1 or 4 years combination of related work experience2 and related education3.

3

2 years wastewater work experience1 or 4 years combination of related work experience2 and related education3 plus 1 year wastewater work experience1.

4

6 years wastewater work experience1 at a Biological Grade 2 (B-2) plant or higher. Up to 3 years of a combination of related work experience2 and related education3 may be substituted for the same number of years of wastewater work experience1.

5

8 years wastewater work experience1 at Biological Grade 3 (B-3) plant or higher. Up to 4 years of a combination of related work experience2 and related education3 may be substituted for the same number of years of wastewater work experience1.

All grades require a H.S. Diploma or GED.

1Wastewater work experience: Performance, supervision or administration of operational duties directly related to wastewater treatment, including operation and/or maintenance of process equipment, lab work, sludge handling, process control, and wastewater compliance.

2Related work experience: Performance or supervision of duties for drinking water, industrial wastewater, wastewater collections, wastewater design, or other related disciplines as accepted by the MEDEP. Military service will be credited one year of related work experience.

3Related education: Post high school coursework or training in the areas of biology, chemistry, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, water and wastewater treatment technology, and other related fields as approved by the MEDEP.

Exams are offered by Computer Based Testing (CBT) at PSI/AMP Assessment Centers throughout the state and are scheduled during the application process. Exams are 100 questions with a minimum of 70% required to pass. Exam time is up to 3 hours. Examinees are notified of their passing score upon exam completion. Examinees who pass will be assigned a certification number and receive a wall certificate and wallet card. Examinees who score below 70% may retake the exam, with a fee, at least three (3) days following the initial exam date.

Exam preparation resources may be found at : Exam Prepartion Resources . Additional information is available about the steps needed to obtain wastewater operator certification in Maine, or contact NEIWPCC-JETCC at 207-253-8020, email certification@NEIWPCC-JETCC.org.

Biennial Renewals

Wastewater operator certification must be renewed by March 1 every two years to maintain Active status. Operators with Inactive status cannot be the ORC of a wastewater treatment  plant.

Even-numbered certifications must be renewed by March 1 of even-numbered years, and odd-numbered certifications by March 1 of odd-numbered years. Renewals include completing at least eighteen (18) Training Contact Hours (TCHs) of approved training (with the exception of SITS-1 that requires  6 TCHs) and paying a renewal fee.

NEIWPCC provides more information on renewing your wastewater certification. This page contains a monthly training calendar and list of DEP-approved, On-Demand learning that can be used for initial certification or to obtain TCHs. Use this Form to apply for TCHs for classes that are not pre-approved by MEDEP. NEIWPCC-JETCC maintains a database on their website that allows operators to view their training records and verify TCHs that have been recorded.

Certifications that are not renewed completely by the March 1 deadline become Inactive. Inactive operators cannot be the ORC of a treatment plant. If the operator fails to renew within 6 months of the deadline, including paying all fees and completing required training, they must retake the certification exam in order to achieve Active status. Inactive certifications that have not been renewed two years after the renewal deadline are revoked and the operator is no longer certified.

Certification Updates

Refer to the MEDEP O&M News monthly newsletter for certification updates.

Contacts

Judy Bruenjes, MEDEP Wastewater Operator Certification Program Manager, judy.k.bruenjes@maine.gov, 207-287-7806.

Aidan Mabey, NEIWPCC Wastewater Operator Certification Program Administrator,  
certification@NEIWPCC-JETCC.org, 207-253-8020.

Brett Willard, NEIWPCC-JETCC Training Development Specialist, bwillard@neiwpcc.org, 207-253-8020.

Forms and Resources Library

Useful links (off-site)