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Oregon Drinking Water Program

Learn about the history and regulations of the Operator Certification programs in Oregon under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Understand the objectives and system classifications for water operators. Find out the criteria for certification and how to promote safe water systems.

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Oregon Drinking Water Program

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  1. Oregon Drinking Water Program Operator Certification

  2. Operator Certification HistoryFederal Safe Drinking Water Act: December 16, 1974 It is the primary federal law that ensures safe drinking water for Americans. With this act, the EPA is directed to set the standards for drinking water quality and oversee all of the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement these standards.

  3. Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act: 1981 • Enacted to assure safe drinking water provided by water systems that serve the public. • Authorize primacy between the Department and the US EPA for regulatory oversight of PWS. • Start the Voluntary Certification Program.

  4. Federal Safe Drinking Water Act 1986 amendments:  To set maximum contaminant level goals and monitoring requirement for 83 specific contaminants and for any contaminant in drinking water that may have an adverse effect upon the health of persons and which is known or anticipated to occur in public water systems.

  5. Mandatory Certification September 27, 1987  An operator holding a current Oregon water treatment certification issued under a voluntary certification program was considered certified under the program.

  6. Association of Boards of Certification: 1991  Oregon State Health Division (DWP) contracts with Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) to use their examinations exclusively for Drinking Water Operators.

  7. Water Personnel Certification • The purpose of Operator Certification is to protect the Public Health to assure that those persons making decisions affecting the quality and quantity of drinking water are competent. The Department does this by reviewing:  Operators’ education  Experience  Examinations

  8. Personnel responsible for public water systems • Competent and knowledgeable of all the functions of that particular facility and have the training and experience necessary to assure continuous delivery of water which does not exceed the maximum contaminant levels.

  9. Objectives of the programOAR 333-061-0205 • To promote the safe and proper operation of water supply systems for protection of the public health. • To define criteria to classify water systems and the skill, knowledge and experience required of an operator and certify persons qualified to supervise their water system. • To advise and assist applicants for certification, set forth conditions of reciprocity, and provide for examinations of applicants.

  10. To award certificates and maintain a register of current certificate holders by classification and level. • To establish and maintain communications between the Department and the operators to insure a flow of information necessary to each party in order to carry out their respective responsibilities. • To improve the caliber of water system operation and thereby protect public heath and the State’s investment in these systems.

  11. System ClassificationOperator Required • C = Community Water System: A water system which has at least 15 service connections or which supplies drinking water to 25 or more of the same people year-round in their residences. Examples are cities, towns, subdivisions, mobile home parks. • NTNC  = Non-Transient Non-Community Water System: A water system which supplies water to 25 or more of the same people at least six months per year in places other than their residences. Examples include work places, schools and churches.

  12. Small Water System OperatorS cert needed A community or non-transient non-community system • Up to 149 connections • AND uses ground water • OR purchases all of their water without any treatment added

  13. Small Water

  14. Operator Not Required • NC = Transient Non-Community Water System: A public water system which provides water to a transient population of 25 people or more water in a place such as a restaurant or campground. • NP (Non-Public)  = State Regulated Water System: Water systems which provides water to small residential communities between 4 and 14 connections, or serves from 10 to 24 persons a day at least 60 days a year, or is licensed by the Health Division or delegate county health department but is not a Transient Water System.

  15. Definitions333-061-0215 • Water Operator: An individual with responsibilities that directly impact the quality of drinking water including individuals making process control or system integrity decisions about water quality or quantity that affect public health.

  16. Direct Responsible Charge (DRC) The person designated by the owner to be the certified operator who make decisions regarding the daily operational activities of a public water system. The DRC must have a certification level at the same level as the treatment and/or distribution system.

  17. Operational Decision Making (ODM): Having responsibility for making decisions among the alternatives in the performance of the water treatment plant or the water distribution system regarding water quality or quantity which affects public health. To acquire this experience, the operator does not need to be certified at the same level as the treatment and/or distribution system.

  18. Operators Levels 1-4 Number of facilities: 349 Number of Operators: 1760 Number of Certifications: 2304 SWS Number of Facilities: 855 Number of Operators: 724

  19. EXAMS  Sequential and Multiple Entry  Regular exams 2X a year – October and May • Special exams 4X a year Feb., June, July and Nov. • Application • Affidavit of Employment • Fees

  20. Proctoring  State Offices – State employees  Community Colleges – additional fee

  21. Association of Boards of Certification  Develop new question item banks  State Committee reviews  Iowa

  22. Renewal  Once a year – December 31  CEUs reported every other year • A – K Even year • L - Z Odd Year

  23. Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council • Provides an evaluation of training • Assigns CEU credit hours DW, WW, On-Site, Industry, Community Colleges Professional Growth Sponsor or organizer submit evaluation request Meets every month Courses and trainings on the web site

  24. OESAC.com

  25. Op. Cert. Web Site

  26. SDWIS

  27. DRC Info

  28. The End Players: Ron Hall, Dottie Reynolds, Lee Keyes Contact Info., 971-673-0413 or 971-673-0426

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