Operator Outreach Flyer - NYWEA

July/August 2011
Attention Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators!
Changes to the Wastewater Operator Certification Program
Starting September 1, 2011, the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) will administer the wastewater operator
certification program with oversight via a Certification Council and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).
Beginning on September 1, 2011 all correspondence, new applications, renewal applications, calls and email inquiries
related to operator certification should be directed to NYWEA:
Tanya Jennings, NYWEA
525 Plum Street
Syracuse, NY 13204
Phone: (315) 422-7811, ext. 4
Fax: (315) 422-3851
E-mail: tmj@nywea.org
Website: www.nywea.org
Why the change?
As a result of reduced staff, declining resources, and reorganization of NYSDEC’s Division of Water, the state can no longer
administer the Wastewater Operator Certification program. The reduced staffing is resulting in delays in application review
with limited personnel available to answer certification program questions and other issues affecting wastewater operators.
How will NYWEA run the program?
NYWEA is hiring a full time employee to run the program on a day to day basis. This position will start on September 1, 2011.
The only job function for that person will be administering the operator certification program. As needed, the rest of the
NYWEA staff and additional volunteers will be available to make sure the program runs smoothly and you, and all other
operators, get prompt service.
In addition, a new certification council is being formed. The council will oversee the program and handle any issues that are
raised. The council make up will include representatives from NYSDEC, NYWEA, NY Rural Water, New England Interstate Water
Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), two certified operators and one academician from a college providing precertification
training. This will provide more operator input into the certification process.
NYWEA will report to NYSDEC on a monthly basis and generate an overall yearly report on the certification program.

How will NYWEA fund the program and a new employee?
Previously, tax payers supported the certification program by paying the salaries for the NYSDEC employees involved in
operator certification. The new certification program must establish a fee structure to support the new NYWEA staff member
and the resources that person will require. The charges will include two fees:
New Operator Application Fee – This is a $150 fee due with the operator’s initial application to become certified. This fee is in
addition to the $90 charge that is paid to Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) and Association of Boards of Certification
(ABC) for the examination. If the operator fails the exam they are only responsible for the $90 exam fee to AMP and ABC. If the
operator decides to re‐apply for a higher certification grade, the $150 fee will be charged again.
Certification Renewal Fee – There will be a $160 fee due with the operator’s five year renewal application (this works out to
$32 per year).
This program will not generate a profit for NYWEA but is designed to make the program self‐funded. NYWEA has and will
continue to make every effort to keep the costs down as much as possible to the operators.
Will the certification requirements change?
No. Other than the fees, the requirements for certification remain the same. The training, experience, and educational
requirements remain the same for all Grades of certification. The five year renewal requirements and the schedule of renewals
also remain the same.
The certification forms will change slightly and will be available from the NYWEA website or by calling the NYWEA office.
During the transition, the old forms will be accepted.
We Need to Keep in Contact with You!
Any time a program changes like this, there is concern and questions, and we would like to help you as much as possible, and
keep you up to date on any new information. It is very important that we know how to best communicate with you.
Enclosed with this letter please find a return reply postcard, requesting that you tell us the best way to reach you with new
information. Please take the time to fill out the form and help us keep you informed. Please return the postcard by August
20, 2011.
We will also communicate through the local NYWEA chapters, NYWEA website, NY Rural Water and the certification schools to
make sure we are reaching all certified operators in New York. Please help us get the word out on this transition, and check
with your fellow operators to make sure they know of this change.
As a wastewater treatment plant operator, the work you do is critically important, not only in the protection of public health,
but also in protecting the water environment. This certification program is an important part of the reason we have great
operators in New York. We look forward to serving you. Thank you for being a certified Operator in New York State!
Sincerely,
Joe DiMura, P.E., Director Patricia Cerro‐Reehil, Executive Director
Bureau of Water Compliance, Division of Water NY Water Environment Association
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation