Public water and wastewater treatment systems are operated by professionals that are certified by the State of South Dakota. Drinking water and wastewater treatment systems protect public health and the environment only if they are working and being operated correctly. The Operator Certification Program is intended to protect public health, environmental quality, and water/wastewater systems' investment in their facilities. A voluntary certification program was started in 1954. The mandatory certification law was passed by the South Dakota State Legislature in 1970. There are certifications in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, stabilization ponds, small water treatment systems, and very small water systems.
The Stabilization Pond class deals strictly w/ ponds and is the best class for preparing to take the Small WW System exam. The Basic WW Treatment class deals w/ all types of wastewater treatment other than ponds and is the best class for preparing to take the Class I WW Treatment exam. Small systems that use ponds for treatment can come into compliance with the OpCert Law by passing either the Class I WW exam or the Small WW System exam.
Water systems serving less than 500 people that use wells can come into compliance by passing the Small Water Treatment exam. Larger systems must pass the Class I Water Treatment exam.
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 Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) 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 "DANR-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:
The following operators must be certified:
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. DANR 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). More information can be found on the Operator Certification WEB Site.
The following forms are available for download:
All exams cost $60.00. Also after July 1 there will be no fee for the annual renewal.
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)
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).
September 27, 2021 | ||
Course | Date | Location |
Intermediate Water Treatment | September 28-30 | Rapid City-Ramkota Sylvan Room*** |
OpCert Exam (Exam session closed) | September 30-1:00 pm | Rapid City-Ramkota Sylvan Room |
OpCert Exam (Exam session closed) | October 5-12:30 pm | Pierre-Matthew Center/Foss Bldg |
Stabilization Pond Workshop | October 7 | Aberdeen-Ramkota Arikara Room*** |
Stabilization Pond Workshop | October 14 | Mitchell-Highland Conference Center*** |
OpCert Exam (34 Seats Left) | November 3-1:00 pm | Sioux Falls-Ramkota-Harvest Room |
Water Distribution | November 16-18 | Spearfish-Holiday Inn-76/Swarm Room*** |
OpCert Exam (20 Seats Left) | November 18-1:00 pm | Spearfish-Holiday Inn-76/Swarm Room |
Wastewater Collection | December 7-9 | Sioux Falls-Ramkota-Harvest Room*** |
OpCert Exam (37 Seats Left) | December 9-1:00 pm | Sioux Falls-Ramkota-Harvest Room |
More exam/class sessions will be scheduled after January 1, 2022. | ||
All classes and exam sessions are tentative based on status of pandemic. | ||
***Classes after July 1, 2021 will be a combination of "in-person" and via Zoom. |
Starting with the 2010 renewal, a sliding scale for required contact hours will be used depending on the number and type of certificates an operator holds. You may view the courses you have completed and the associated contact hours using the following search:
Number and Type of Certificates | Contact Hours Required |
---|---|
Operator has one certificate (Class I or II) | 10 contact hours every three years |
Operator has one certificate (Class III or IV) | 20 contact hours every three years |
Operator has more than one certificate and all are Class I and II | 15 contact hours every three years |
Operator has more than one certificate and at least one certificate is a Class III or IV | 30 contact hours every three years |