HOW TO BECOME AN OPERATOR

While water is provided by nature, we rely on a complex network of pipes, equipment and people that safely deliver clean water, and remove used water, from our homes and businesses. Operators are the people responsible for ensuring the safe and continuous operation and maintenance of our water systems.

Find out more about how our water systems work.

Anyone can be an operator! All that is required is proof of completion of high school, an adult graduation diploma or post-secondary diploma.  

At facilities that conduct the treatment, distribution and collection of water and wastewater. The facilities they work at can be large or small, depending on the population size they are serving, and may be owned by a municipality, regional district or a private company or individual.

See examples of facilities and what they do.

The duties of an operator are hands-on and include tasks such as testing and treating water samples, testing and fixing equipment, and monitoring and tracking equipment sensor data. Specific tasks and the equipment and technology used in a facility will vary depending on the size, type and location of the facility.

For more examples of typical operator duties, check out page 23 of the EOCP Program Guide.

Operators are certified to work at a specific type of facility, and at a particular level.

There are a four primary types of facilities that an operator can get certified to work at:

• Water treatment – cleans and treats water to ensure it safe to use and drink
• Water distribution – distributes treated potable water to residents and businesses
• Wastewater collection – collects dirty wastewater from residents and businesses
• Wastewater treatment – cleans and treats wastewater before it is sent back into our environment

There are also small water and wastewater systems that do all of the above, but serve a maximum of 500 connections or people. Operators obtain their certification level based on their experience and skills. These levels are:

• Entry level – optional for operators who are new, but that have related education or direct hands-on experience.
• Level I to Level IV – these operators work in facilities and can progress from Level I to Level IV as they gain experience and skills.
• Small systems or multi-utility – operators who work on facilities that serve small populations.

For more information on certification, check out page 12 of the EOCP Program Guide.

Once you have met the experience or training requirement for an operator in training or a level I operator, submit an Application for Certification Form to the EOCP. The application process can take up to three weeks from the date the application is received by the EOCP.

If your application is approved, you will need to register for, write and pass an EOCP certification exam at one of the testing sites in BC or the Yukon.

Yes. If you have municipal water and wastewater experience it will apply to the training and experience required to become a certified operator.

At the discretion of the EOCP Board, related experience in maintenance, laboratories, other water and pollution control positions, other similar operating positions, and allied trades (such as plumber, millwright, or other certification categories) may be substituted for up to half of the experience required for a Level I exam.

Only directly-related experience can be used to qualify for an operator in training exam.  

Course work is not required to become a certified operator, but completing a course that is directly applicable to the EOCP certification you want is an excellent way to prepare for the certification exam. For example, if you been approved to take the Wastewater Treatment (WWT) Level I exam, you may want to take a  course approved for WWT Level I.  

There are many recognized training providers, including the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA). Search the  EOCP Career Management System for a full list of recognized providers.