Operator Certification Training and Exams

 

Operator certification training and exams will be given at the following times, dates, and places:

 

Course Date Location
Intermediate Water Distribution May 22 Rapid City-Ramkota Inn
Intermediate Water Distribution May 24 Sioux Falls-Water Treatment Plant
OpCert Exam  June 20-12:30 pm Pierre-Matthew Center
Basic Water Treatment July 10-12 Huron-Crossroads/Events Center
OpCert Exam  July 12-1:00 pm Huron-Crossroads/Events Center
OpCert Exam  July 27-8:30 am Rapid City-Ramkota Inn
WW Collection/Water Distribution* August 7-9 Watertown-Ramkota/Events Center
OpCert Exam  August 9-1:00 pm Watertown-Ramkota/Events Center
Basic Wastewater Treatment August 21-23 Aberdeen-Ramkota
OpCert Exam  August 23-1:00 pm Aberdeen-Ramkota
WW Collection/Water Distribution* September 25-27 Rapid City-Ramkota Inn
Water Distribution Workshop October 2 Aberdeen-WEB RWS
Water Distribution Workshop October 3 Murdo-WR/LJ RWS
Water Distribution Workshop October 4 Sioux Falls-Water Treatment Plant
Intermediate Water Treatment October 23-25 Rapid City-Ramkota Inn
Basic Water Treatment November 13-15 Sioux Falls-Water Treatment Plant
Basic Wastewater Treatment December 4-6 Sioux Falls-Water Reclamation Facility

Contact SD Association of Rural Water Systems (605-556-7219 or www.sdarws.com) with questions on training. Contact Rob Kittay about exam 605-773-4208

*For the Distribution/Collection classes, the first day will train on WW Collection, the second day will train on
Water Distribution, and the third day will train on topics common to both Distribution and Collection.

DENR has water exam study material to lend to operators. The following manuals from California State
University-Sacramento are available-

Water Treatment Plant Operations-Volumes I/II
Water Distribution System Operation and Maintenance
Small Water System Operation and Maintenance

A new combined crib sheet will be used for all exams starting January 15, 2012. A copy of the new crib sheet
may be found at the web site at http://denr.sd.gov/des/dw/opcertqa.aspx

  

All dates are tentative based on number of applicants. Certification exam applications must be submitted for ALL exams including retakes. Applications MUST be received by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at least two weeks before the exam date, as required by the Operator Certification Rules (ARSD 74:21:02:40).  Applicants will receive a confirmation of their exam receipt by the Department.  Applications will be accepted via fax at 773-5286. Check or money orders made out to "DENR-Operator Certification" are required.  Applications must be filled out completely as they are the sole source of information used to determine operator eligibility to take an exam.  

 

The following must have a certified operator in direct responsible charge of their system:

  • All wastewater treatment or wastewater collection systems that serve more than 500 people.
  • All transient non-community water treatment systems using surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water or treating with a disinfectant (chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, etc.).
  • ALL community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water treatment/distribution systems regardless of size.  

 

The following operators must be certified:

  • Any operator in charge of one of the above water or wastewater systems.
  • Any operator making process control/system integrity decisions affecting water quality/quantity at a community or NTNC water system must be certified at any level.
  • An operator certified at the designated level of the treatment plant/distribution system must be available for each operating shift at a community or NTNC water system.

 

Exam References-ABC's exam questions are primarily referenced to publications from California State University, Sacramento (916-278-6142); the Water Environment Federation (WEF) (800-666-0206); and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) (800-926-7337). SD Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) does have some study material; however, the best study material is from the above organizations. DENR does not supply any study material. For more information on references and study materials, please check the Association of Boards of Certification WEB page.  

 

Any questions on the various training courses that are presented may be directed to the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (605-556-7219). If there are any questions on certification, please contact Rob Kittay at the Drinking Water Program in Pierre (Phone: 605-773-4208) (Fax: 605-773-5286) (E-mail: rob.kittay@state.sd.us).  More information can be found on the Operator Certification WEB Site.

 

The following forms are available for download:

 
All exams cost $10.00, there will be no free retake exams, and renewals will be $6.00 per certificate.
image of Mr. Rob Kittay (14865 bytes)

Questions about operator certification should be directed to Rob Kittay at the Drinking Water Program in Pierre (phone: 605-773-4208  fax: 605-773-5286  email: rob.kittay@state.sd.us )

Question concerning the various training courses and for study materials should be be directed to the SD Association of Rural Water Systems (605-556-7219).