Selected Key Points
The regulation is based on the classification and certification process
developed by Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) and used by several
provinces and most US states.
Adoption of the ABC system will allow certified operators to move
between provinces without impediment.
The appointment of a certification advisory committee consisting of
operators, owners and regulators is provided for to assist with certification
process and other related functions.
Facilities will be categorized into: water distribution; water
treatment; wastewater collection; and wastewater treatment.
Facilities, within each category, will be classified into one on the
five classes: small systems and classes 1 – 4.
Owners of existing facilities have until August 31, 2004, to apply to
have their systems classified.
Special provisions have been included for facilities that were
previously classified under the voluntary program operated by MWWA.
Facility classification certificates are to be renewed every five
years.
Owners of facilities will have to ensure that only certified operators
are employed after September 1, 2006.
For each category of facility, there are six classes of operator’s
certificate: operator-in-training, small system and classes 1 – 4.
An operator who is currently employed, has completed all the
certification requirements and has been certified under the voluntary program
operated by MWWA, will have to apply by November 30, 2003, to obtain an
operator’s certificate.
An operator who is currently employed, has not completed all the
certification requirements and has been certified under the voluntary program
operated by MWWA, will have to apply by November 30, 2003, to obtain a
conditional certificate for a three year period.
An amending regulation will be submitted to change this to a
conditional certificate for a five year period as originally proposed.
An operator who is currently employed, has not completed all the
certification requirements and has not been certified under the voluntary
program operated by MWWA, will have to apply by November 30, 2003, to obtain a
restricted conditional certificate for a three year period.
Operator certificates will have to be renewed every five years.
The certification level of the operator-in-charge at a facility must
match the classification level of that facility.
All operators of a facility must be certified.
In-service training requirements will be established.
Operating records will have to be maintained.
