Overview of Water System
Operator Certification Program

This fact sheet provides an overview of the New Hampshire drinking water system operator certification program and answers frequently asked questions about the program.

History and Need
In 1974 Congress passed the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The goal of the SDWA was to improve the safety of public drinking water in the United States. When the SDWA was implemented it was recognized that operator competence was as important to providing safe reliable drinking water as monitoring, facilities, and equipment. Thus in 1979 the New Hampshire Legislature passed RSA 332:E establishing the drinking water operator certification program. The legislation established a five member advisory committee to oversee the program and authorized DES to develop qualifications, conditions, and procedures for certifying drinking water system operators. The rules governing this program are Env-Ws 367. The rules offer substantially more detail than can be included in this document and can be accessed from the DES web-site.

Systems Requiring a Certified Operator
Community (residential systems) and non-transient, non-community public water systems (e.g. schools, day cares and workplaces) are required to have a certified operator. Transient, non-community public water systems (e.g. restaurants, motels and campgrounds) do not have to have a certified operator.

Categories of Certification
There are two certification categories in New Hampshire’s drinking water operator certification program, distribution and treatment. Each category consists of five levels. Grade 1A being the least complex to grade 4 the most complex. The grade 1A certification is typically for operating very small and simple water systems, serving residential developments, schools or workplace type systems; the grade 1A certificate combines both the treatment and distribution categories. Grades 1 through 4 are for larger more complex water systems. Treatment and distribution certificates are issued separately for Grades 1 – 4.

How to Become Certified
To become certified in New Hampshire, an individual must meet the education and experience requirements of the certification grade they are applying for and pass the certification examination with a grade of at least 70 percent.

• Examination
  New Hampshire uses a standard examination prepared by the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) for the grades 1 through 4, many states require this exam for the purpose of reciprocity. The grade 1A exam is NH specific.
  
  
• Education and Experience
  To qualify to sit for an examination the applicant must meet the experience and education requirements listed in Env-367.12. For example, grade 1A certification requires a high school education or equivalent and 6 months experience, the experience requirement can be substituted if the applicant completes the “Small Water System Operator Training Course” offered by DES. Grade 4 applicants need 4 years of education beyond high school and 6 years of experience, 3 of which must be in charge experience at a grade 3 or better water system.
  
  
• When Examinations are Held
  Examinations are generally held three times per year; typically in the spring, summer, and fall. Please call DES for this year’s examination schedule. Applications and appropriate fees to take the examination must be received 30 days prior to the examination date.

Reciprocity
Although no formal reciprocity arrangements exist with other states, operators currently certified by other states may request NH certification by reciprocity. Each application is evaluated individually. To request reciprocity, applicants must submit a completed application, a brief explanation letter along with proof of education, experience, and certification from other states. The applicant must also submit a copy of the current certification regulations from the state the applicant is certified in. The applicant’s certification must be active at the time of application.

Cost of Certification
The application fee is $50 per certification. This fee is non-refundable and must accompany the application. If you do not pass the exam, you may reapply to retake the examination for an additional $50.

Certification Period
The water works operator certificates are issued for a period of two years beginning January 1 of even numbered years and ending December 31 of the odd numbered years. The fee for each treatment and/or distribution certification and the combined distribution/treatment grade 1A is $50. If you hold a treatment and distribution certificate in grades 1 - 4 the fee is $100 to renew both.

Continuing Education
In order to maintain certification, operators must obtain continuing education credits. The number of hours over each two-year certification period varies from 5 to 20 hours depending on certification grade. See Env-367.07 for specific requirements.

Educational Course
Educational opportunities in New Hampshire are offered by a variety of organizations. Training course range from entry level courses to offering on highly specific topics. Contact DES or check the DES web-site for availability.

For Additional Information
Please contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau at (603) 271-2513 or dwgbinfo@des.state.nh.us or visit our website at www.des.nh.gov/dwgb. All of the bureau’s fact sheets are on-line at www.des.nh.gov/dwg.htm.

Note: This fact sheet is accurate as of January 2007. Statutory or regulatory changes, or the availability of additional information after this date may render this information inaccurate or incomplete.