Drinking Water Operator Certification
Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment.
Water distribution systems are classified according to the population served, and require operators to be certified as Distribution Levels 1-4.
Treatments plants are classified by assigning points for each unit process and then totalling these points according to OAR-333-061-0220. Use the operator classification worksheet: PDF -or- Excel
Note: Operating experience earned at a water treatment plant or distribution system is considered qualifying experience for examinations up to one classification level higher than that of the water system where the applicant gained their experience. In other words, if you have only worked for a Class 2 treatment plant, you may apply for a Level 3 certification but not a Level 4 certification. If you move on to a Class 3 plant, then you must have ½ the qualifying experience (at the Level 3 plant) before applying for a Level 4 certification.