Wastewater Operator Certification Program

PROVISIONAL OPERATOR

Employment of a Provisional Operator

An owner of a Class I wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) may employ a provisional operator to be solely responsible for the operation of the WWTP provided the owner has received written approval from the Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP) to use a provisional operator in accordance with section 3680.2. Provisional operators may not supervise operators, other provisional operators, or operators-in-training or appoint a designated operator-in-charge.

Employment of a Provisional Operator Eligibility Checklist

An owner is eligible to employ a Provisional Operator if the following statements are true:

  • The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a Class I WWTP
  • The provisional operator meets the minimum educational requirements for a Grade I Wastewater Operator.  They can submit a copy of their high school diploma or equivalent and six educational points.
  • The provisional operator candidate has taken and passed the Wastewater examination within the last four years.
  • The owner has demonstrated that the owner has had difficulty hiring, despite due diligence, a certified wastewater operator.

Request to Use Provisional Operators

  • The owner must submit a written request for approval to use a provisional operator;
  • A $1,000 non-refundable fee to use a provisional operator;
  • A copy of the WWTP’s waste discharge requirements and standard operating procedures; and
  • A detailed  written plan that includes:
    • a description of the duties that the provisional operator will be performing at the WWTP, the provisional operator’s work schedule, and a requirement that the provisional operator submit a copy of the WWTP’s monitoring reports to the WWOCP;
    • a description of the training that the provisional operator will receive on proper sampling procedures, the WWTP’s standard operating procedures, and the WWTP’s waste discharge requirements;
    • the procedures for testing the provisional operator’s proficiency performing proper sampling procedures and understanding of the WWTP’s standard operating procedures and the WWTP’s waste discharge requirements;
    • the written agreement with a certified operator, a registered contract operator, or another WWTP, providing that a certified operator will communicate with, and provide assistance to, the provisional operator when the provisional operator needs direction and the procedure that the provisional operator will use to request this assistance; and
    • the written agreement with a certified operator, a registered contract operator, or another WWTP, providing that a certified operator will assist the provisional operator when the provisional operator is unable to carry out the responsibilities of the position of “chief plant operator” as defined in section 3671 and the procedure that the provisional operator will use to request this assistance.

In addition, the owner must provide the appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board), a copy of the request for approval to use a provisional operator and the written plan (described above). The WWOCP will consult with the Regional Water Board and may conduct an inspection of the WWTP before approving or denying the request to use a provisional operator. The WWOCP may refuse to approve the request to use a provisional operator if the owner fails to demonstrate that the owner exercised due diligence but had difficulty hiring a certified operator to operate the WWTP, or if the written plan does not ensure the protection of human health, safety, and the environment.

  • The WWOCP will approve the request to use a provisional operator if the owner submits a complete request to use a provisional operator and the written plan prepared (described above) provided the provisional operator: submits a copy of the WWTP’s monitoring reports to the WWOCP; and will not supervise an operator, another provisional operator, or an OIT or appoint a designated operator-in-charge.
  • receives training acceptable to the WWOCP on proper sampling procedures, the WWTPs standard operating procedures, and the WWTP’s waste discharge requirements.
  • demonstrates proficiency performing proper sampling procedures and an understanding of the WWTPs standard operating procedures and the WWTP’s waste discharge requirements.
  • has the ability to communicate at all times with a certified operator.
  • has the ability to request assistance from a certified operator when the provisional operator is unable to carry out the responsibilities of the position of CPO.

If granted, an approval to use a provisional operator is valid for five years. The owner must notify the WWOCP and the appropriate Regional Water Board in writing of any proposed changes at least 30 days before implementing any changes to the written plan.

The owner must not amend the written plan if the WWOCP notifies the owner that the proposed plan does not meet the requirements for using a provisional operator. The WWOCP may revoke its written approval of request to use a provisional operator if it determines that the written plan on which approval was based has been violated.

Application for Provisional Operator Certification

An applicant for a provisional operator certificate must have completed the minimum amount of education prescribed in section 3687 for certification as a Grade I operator and has passed an examination at the Grade I level or higher and the applicant’s examination results have not expired.

The applicant must submit:

A completed Provisional Operator Application for Certification with original signature to include:

  • The information required in section 3702 for an application for an operator certificate;
  • Provisional operator certification fee of $170 (a check or money order made payable to the “State Water Resources Control Board”); and
  • The name, contact information, and signature of the owner of the WWTP where the applicant will be employed

Send documents and appropriate fees to the address below:

State Water Resources Control Board
Wastewater Operator Certification
P.O. Box 944212
1001 I Street, 17th Floor
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120

Please note that the WWOCP can now accept online checking/savings account payments.  Instructions are available on the WWOCP home webpage https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/operator_certification/operator_certification.html at the bottom of the page locate the Online Payments Section.

(Note: Provisional Operator fees are non-refundable.)

Questions or Comments?

If you have additional questions or comments, please contact WWOCP by email at: wwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 341-5819.