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Board of Licensure of Water System Operators

The grace period for 2008 license renewal ended 3/2/2009. Renewals after the grace period are charged a $50 reinstatement fee.

Click here for a blank renewal form.

Terry Trott 287-7485

Board of Licensure of Water System Operators information

Water Operator Examinations

Professional Development Training Calendar

Lending Library

Rules Relating to the Licensure of Water System Operation (.pdf document)

EPA small system and capacity development resources

Levels of Water Operator Licenses:

Water systems are defined through a process of grading points, Class I to IV in both treatment and distribution categories according to complexity and population served. Operators of these systems must show competency by successfully completing examinations in both treatment and distribution categories. Very Small Water Systems (VSWS) operators are another classification that covers both treatment and distribution characteristics of systems with less than a population of 500.

Operator Requirements:

Class I and higher public water suppliers are required to designate two "operators in direct responsible charge". This must be updated within 30 days of any changes.

Public Water System Designated Operator Form

 

Contract Operations:

Some systems contract operations out to another utility or contracting firm. Owners and operators of public water systems share responsibility to public health. Designated operators are responsible for all quality and quantity decisions. The DWP has developed a policy for determining when a a designated operator is responsible for a system.

The DWP has developed a list of available contract operators below. The DWP strongly suggests anyone entering into contact operations review the guidance document, Contract Operations Guidelines.

Contract Operations resources:

Contract Operations Guidelines

Available Contract Operators

Licensed Operator Determination handout

EPA Guidance (external link)
Water System Operator Roles and Responsibilities: A Best Practices Guide

EPA Guidance (external link)
Water System Owner Roles and Responsibilities: A Best Practices Guide

EPA operator certification resources

 

Training and Professional Development:

License holders must earn continuing education credits for license renewal. The number of training contact hours (TCHs) required for license renewal depends on the classification of the license.

Operator training is available in a variety of programs. The DWP maintains a lending library with books and videos for all levels of operation. Self-study programs are also available. For more information or to check to see if a course has been approved please contact Teresa Trott at (207) 287-7485.

Very Small Water System (VSWS) Study Booklet (pdf format - download a free copy of Adobe Reader)

Water Operator training providers:

Maine Rural Water Association (MRWA) (exam preparation and other courses)

Maine Water Utilities Association

New England Water Works Association

North East Water and Wastewater Training Associates

University of California (correspondance and online courses)

Training related policies:

Training Contact Hours Policy (how many and what kind of TCH credits needed for license renewal)

Policy for Renewal Training Courses for Water System Operator Recertification (requirements for awarding TCHs)

Exam Policy (continuing education credits for passing exams)

Individual TCH Application (for individual training course approval)

 

Staff Contacts:

Teresa Trott
Operator Licensing Officer (207) 287-7485

  • Application and License Status
  • Change of Address
  • Designated Operator Forms and Questions
  • Duplicate License or Certificate
  • Eligibility for Examination
  • Exam Applications
  • Reciprocity Applications
  • Reciprocity Questions
  • Request for Training Approval
  • Requirements for Licensure
  • State of Maine Operator Rules