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. South Dakota's Water and Wastewater Operator Certification regulations are listed in the Administrative Rules of South Dakota 74:21:01-02, and the statutes are listed in South Dakota Codified Law 34A-3
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:
DANR can not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information returned by this database search. Any reliance on the search results is solely at your discretion.
| 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 |
Click here to download the latest Exam Schedule
Op Cert FAQ Sheet Exam Application
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.
All exams cost $60.00. Also after July 1 there will be no fee for the annual renewal.
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.
For more information on what is covered on the various certification exams download the following references:
Contact these organizations for your training materials:
Try these links for more information on online training opportunities:
On-Site Assistance for Operators
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDDANR), with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, has developed a program to provide on-site technical assistance to wastewater operators. This program targets new operators that need hands on assistance and facilities that are having difficulty meeting their Surface Water Discharge permit requirements.
Specifically, some of the services that this outreach program offers are:
Instruction on proper sampling techniques and frequency;
Instructions on proper record keeping for pH meters and dissolved oxygen meters;
Instructions on filling out Discharge Monitoring Reports;
Instructions on Required Recordkeeping;
Assistance performing sludge surveys;
Instructions and assistance on flow measurements techniques;
Instructions for proper procedure of unauthorized discharges and bypasses;
Development of an operational plan; and Assistance filling out the health lab checklist (see instructions).
The current collection calendar can be viewed on the Department of Health website.
For more information on references and study materials, please check The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) web page.
For more information please call or email
Mailing Address: 523 E Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3754
Email
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).