System Classification and Operator Certification

Introduction

Operators are the hands-on people who physically operate water systems on a day to day basis. They adjust controls, operate valves, and run equipment. Board members, administrative, engineering, and supervisory staff, are not considered operators unless they directly operate the system.

The Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) certifies water and wastewater treatment systems and facility operators.

EOCP is a completely separate entity from BCWWA and is incorporated on its own as a non-reporting society pursuant to the Society Act.

EOCP promotes the increase of knowledge, skill, and proficiency of the Members of the Society in all matters relating to water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment.

To learn more about the EOCP please visit: http://www.eocp.org/.

System Classifications

The size (flow) and complexity of a water or wastewater system is used to determine the Class of a system using a point template.

The knowledge and experience it takes to operate a system is closely related to its classification and is reflected in the Level of certification of the operator

The points are assigned based on standards evolved from the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) and the final total determines the classification. Systems that are small and relatively simple, are Small Water or Wastewater. Next are ones ranked as Class I, followed by II and III, with the highest being Class IV.

The Province requires systems be operated under the supervision of an operator certified to at least the same level of the facility. BCWWA is not involved with classification or provincial permitting.

Operator Certification

Operators of Small Water Systems (and Small Wastewater Systems) require a minimum amount of experience and education in order to be eligible to write the EOCP SWS examination. Upon attaining a mark of 70 or higher on a fifty (50) question exam the successful considate is awarded a certificate.

Increasing levels of experience and education are required to become certified at the higher levels. The reader is referred to the EOCP website for detailed information of the EOCP program (http://www.eocp.org/).

A recently implemented requirement for all operators is that of Continuing Education to maintain certification in subsequent years. The reader is referred to the EOCP website for detail and to the BCWWA website for suitable courses including the most recent calendar of events (http://www.bcwwa.org/courses/index.php)