Operators

Within drinking water systems and wastewater facilities, individuals may be certified in 7 different types of subsystems:

• Water Treatment,
• Water Distribution and Supply,
• Water Distribution,
• Wastewater Treatment,
• Wastewater Collection,
• Limited Surface Water, and
• Limited Groundwater

These subsystems may employ different types of operators, ranging from new operators who hold an Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate, to those who have progressed through higher class levels and are generally required to operate more complex systems and facilities.

Individuals who only conduct drinking water testing services must still be certified. They require a Water Quality Analyst (WQA) certificate.

Drinking water systems and wastewater facilities are classified according to their relative operational complexity, based on a scale of Class 1 to 4 (with “1” being the simplest and “4” the most complex). Operator certificates and licences are leveled in the same way. The certification and training requirements for each class of certificate and licence are directly related to the classification of the system or facility they work in.

Operators wishing to upgrade to a higher class of certificates and licences must pass additional exams and acquire more training and experience.

Most operators hold multiple types of certificates or licences as they operate in multiple subsystems, such as water treatment AND water distribution, however, an operator can only hold one certificate or licence of each type. For example, an operator with a Class 2 Water Treatment certificate cannot also hold the Class 1 Water Treatment certificate. In addition, operators may only upgrade to a higher class if they hold the lower class certificate or licence. The chart below illustrates all of the possible certificates and licences that may be required to operate and/or provide testing services in the province of Ontario.

Operators working in Ontario are governed by the following regulations and acts:

• Certification of Drinking Water System Operators and Water Quality Analysts, Ontario Regulation 128/04 of the Safe Drinking Water Act
• Licensing of Sewage Works Operators, Ontario Regulation 129/04 of the Ontario Water Resources Act
• The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
• The Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA)
• Drinking Water Systems Regulation, Ontario Regulation 170/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act

To upgrade to a higher level certificate or licence, you must complete the following:

• register for, and successfully pass the corresponding examination with a mark of 70% or higher;
• meet the experience and education requirements for the corresponding class of certificate or licence;
• complete either the Drinking Water Certificate Application Form or the Wastewater Licence Application Form, filling out all the required information; and
• submit the application, along with fee payment, for assessment.

All classes of certification, regardless of the level, require the following:

1. proof of grade 12 or equivalent (if not previously submitted);
2. successful completion (70% or higher) of the relevant exam; and
3. operational experience gained under a valid certificate/licence.

Post-secondary education or Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required for Class 3 and 4. For specific requirements of each class of certificate or licence, click on the appropriate tab below.

If you want to find out how to get your very first certificate or licence in Ontario (i.e. how to become an Operator-in-Training), please visit the Getting Your Certificate or Licence for the First Time page.

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Water Quality Analyst

Drinking Water Conditional Operator Certificate

The Director may issue a conditional operator certificate for operators holding any type and class of municipal residential subsystem certificate (except for an operator-in-training certificate) and for operators holding a limited subsystem certificate.

The Director may issue a conditional certificate if:

1. the owner or operating authority that employs or has offered to employ the applicant satisfies the Director that they cannot obtain the services of an operator of the type and class required under this regulation (for example, if an owner of a Class III water treatment subsystem is unable to find an operator holding a Class III water treatment certificate); and
2. the owner or operating authority gives both the applicant and the Director a written commitment to help the applicant comply with all the conditions of the subsystem; and
3. the required fee is paid.

You must complete and submit a separate Conditional Drinking Water Certificate and Wastewater Licence Application for each certificate or license you wish to request.

Wastewater Conditional Operator Licence

The Director may issue a conditional operator licence for operators holding any type and class of licence (except for an operator-in-training licence).

The Director may issue a conditional licence if:

1. the owner or operating authority that employs or has offered to employ the applicant satisfies the Director that they cannot obtain the services of an operator of the type and class required under this regulation (for example, if an owner of a Class III wastewater treatment facility is unable to find an operator holding a Class III wastewater treatment licence); and
2. the owner or operating authority gives both the applicant and the Director a written commitment to help the applicant comply with all the conditions of the facility; and
3. the required fee is paid.

You must complete and submit a separate Conditional Drinking Water Certificate and Wastewater Licence Application for each certificate or license you wish to request.

You must complete and submit a separate application form for each certificate or license you wish to hold.

Please ensure that your application is complete by filling out all the required sections, providing the appropriate signatures, and including the required attachments and payment information.

Upgrade applications take up to 30 days to process on receipt of a COMPLETE application and payment of the correct fee. Incomplete applications may be returned.

Submit all applications to:

Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
295 The West Mall, Suite 302
Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
Fax: (416) 231-2107

Payment is required with each completed application, and can be made by Visa, MasterCard, cheque, or money order. If paying by cheque or money order, please make the payment out to the Minister of Finance.

Do I need to answer all the questions on the form?

Yes. This includes answering yes or no to both the full time and back up operator questions.

Do I need to submit a job description with my application?

Yes. A copy of your current job description must be signed by your manager/ORO and submitted with your upgrade application. If you are submitting more than one upgrade at the same time, only one copy is required.

If you have previously submitted your job description, then you don’t need to submit it again. If your position has changed since your last application, you will need to submit a copy of your current job description.

If I hold a drinking water Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate, am I considered a limited subsystem operator?

If you hold a valid Water Treatment OIT certificate, you can operate limited surface water or limited ground water systems. If you hold a valid Water Distribution and Supply OIT certificate, you can operate limited groundwater systems.

I received an email or letter requesting additional information. What should I do?

Provide the requested information. If you have questions about what is being requested, contact the analyst who sent the request.

Any information you submit regarding operational or OIC experience will need to be signed by your manager/ORO. Make sure your name and/or Operator ID number is clearly written on any submission.

What substitutions are possible for Class 2, 3 or 4 certificates or licences?

While no substitutions are allowed for Class 1 certificates or licences, Class 2, 3 or 4 applicants may be permitted to make substitutions for up to 50% of their operational experience requirement OR 50% of their CEU requirements (if applicable). In addition, Class 3 or 4 applicants may be permitted to make substitutions for up to 50% of the OIC requirement.

For detailed information on the possible substitutions, please see Guideline 3.4 – Experience as a Drinking Water Operator and Guideline 3.4b – Experience as a Wastewater Operator.

How does the ministry count experience if an operator works part-time?

The ministry considers 1,800 hours per year to equal full-time employment. A part-time operator will be credited the percent of full-time employment they work as an operator. An on-call operator will only be credited experience for the time they actually perform operating functions. No experience will be credited for time spent ‘standing by’.

Operators who work part-time as an operator but are responsible for the subsystem on a full-time basis will receive one-year experience credit for each year worked, for each different type of subsystem for which they are responsible.

For operators who spend the vast majority of their time performing non-operating functions, it might take many years to acquire the necessary operating experience. Therefore, for Class 1 applicants, the ministry will credit one year experience for five consecutive years performing operating functions on a regular basis throughout each year.

For detailed information on experience, please see Guideline 3.4 – Experience as a Drinking Water Operator and Guideline 3.4b – Experience as a Wastewater Operator.

I am a full-time operator but work in different types of subsystems (i.e. WT, WDS, and WWC). How will my experience be calculated?

A full time operator working in more than one type of system can be credited with one year of experience in each type for each year worked, as long as they operate the systems in the same manner as other operators and are operating to the full extent of the system.

Example: A full-time operator in a water treatment subsystem will be credited with one year of operating experience toward a water treatment certificate.

Example: A full-time operator who operates in water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, and wastewater collection will be credited with one year of operating experience toward each of these certificates/licenses as long as they are operating to the full extent of the system.

For detailed information, please see Guideline 3.4 – Experience as a Drinking Water Operator and Guideline 3.4b – Experience as a Wastewater Operator.

How do I get my certificate or licence from another province recognized?

Please see the Out-of-Province Applicants page.

What is the difference between an Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) and an Operator-in-Charge (OIC)?

The owner or operating authority must designate an ORO, and must also designate one or more operators as OIC for the subsystem/facility they operate. These are two different roles, although they can be performed by the same operator.

For detailed information, please see Guideline 5.1 – Overall Responsible Operator vs. Operator-in-Charge.

I am a certified operator looking for employment opportunities. How can I make myself available to potential employers?

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks administers the Operator Workforce Matching Portal which is a free, online tool that helps connect system owners seeking staffing resources with certified operators who are available for employment. System owners with staffing needs are able to directly contact operators who register on the Portal with potential employment opportunities.

Follow these links for more information:

• Instructions for using the Operator Workforce Matching Portal
• Frequently asked questions

The following guidance documents can help you understand various aspects of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program.

They cover different scenarios that may apply to you, e.g., you work as a part-time operator, or are a contractor etc.

To renew an existing certificate or licence, you must:

• meet the experience requirements;
• meet the training requirements applicable to your type of certification;
• complete and submit the appropriate application along with the fee and supporting documentation.

All Class 1 – 4 drinking water certificates require the following to have been obtained within the last three years:

1. a minimum of three months of valid operational or related experience;
2. successful completion of the Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course; and,
3. completion of the set number of Director Approved Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and on-the-job practical training.

The amount of training you are required to complete over the three year period is based on the highest class of drinking water facility you operate, not the certificate you are renewing. For example, if you are renewing your Class 2 Water Distribution certificate, but you also work in a Class 4 Water Treatment subsystem, your renewal requirements will be based on a Class 4 certificate. If you hold multiple certificates, training will only be checked for one of the certificates. Your renewal notification will indicate whether training is required to be submitted with your application.

If you plan on renewing a drinking water certificate, start by finding the highest class of drinking water facility you operate in the table below (regardless of the type) to see what your renewal requirements are.

Additionally, every drinking water operator must complete the Mandatory Certificate Renewal Course within each renewal period. This course is coordinated by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) and is available in two formats: classroom and correspondence. The course content is changed every three years, and is meant to ensure that all operators are kept up to date on emerging issues within the industry. This course will count as part of the Director Approved CEU requirements as 0.7 continuing education units (CEUs) or 7 hours. For information on how to register for this course please visit the WCWC web site at www.wcwc.ca. Information is also available in the Detailed Guidance Documents section below.

Director Approved CEUs: only courses on the Director Approved Course Listing may be used to meet the requirements for Director Approved CEU training. Copies of your certificates of completion for these courses must be submitted along with your renewal application. Wastewater training cannot be used to renew drinking water certificates.

On-the-Job Training: on-the-job training must be documented and verified by your manager or supervisor if it is to be included in your renewal application. This can be done on the training record supplied with the application form, or on a signed training log, record or letter from your employer or training provider. If you do not have enough on-the-job training, you may substitute excess Director Approved CEU training to meet the requirements. Please note that 0.1 Director Approved CEU = 1 hour of on-the-job training.

If you are unsure that you meet the training requirements to renew your drinking water certificate, please visit the Detailed Guidance Documents section below for more information on what can be accepted.

All wastewater licences require valid operational or related experience obtained in the last five years.

You do not need to submit records of completed training with your wastewater licence renewal application, however, owners shall ensure all operators employed in the facility are given 40 hours of training every year. Records of the training must be kept by the owner.

Completed training that is used to renew a drinking water certificate may be used to meet the 40 hours of training required for wastewater licences.

As drinking water and wastewater OITs fall under different regulations, there are different renewal requirements for each type. Please see the appropriate tab below for more information.

Drinking Water OITs

Drinking water OIT certificates expire after 36 months. Within this three year period it is expected that you will complete the requirements to upgrade to a Class 1 certificate.

If at the expiry of your Water Treatment or Water Distribution and Supply OIT certificate(s) you know you are not able to upgrade to a Class 1, you may be eligible to request a one-time three year certificate renewal from the ministry. Contact us for further information on how to proceed with your request.

Wastewater OITs

The intention of OIT certificates and licences is to allow you to gain experience to upgrade to a Class 1 licence, however, unlike Class 1-4 licences, wastewater OITs can be renewed without any training or experience.

To renew a wastewater licence you must:

1. complete the Wastewater Operator-in-Training Licence Renewal Form;
2. submit the application along with payment.

Once approved, the renewed OIT licence will be valid for a period of three years.

You must submit a separate renewal form for each certificate or licence you wish to renew. Review the forms listed below to find the appropriate one for your renewal:

Before sending your renewal application, make sure:

• All sections are filled out
• All signatures are present and dated
• Necessary documents are attached
• Payment is included

Renewal applications take up to 21 days to process on receipt of a COMPLETE application and payment of the correct fee.  Incomplete applications may be returned.

Submit all applications to:

Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
295 The West Mall, Suite 302
Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
Fax: (416) 231-2107

Payment is required with each completed application, and can be made by Visa, MasterCard, cheque, or money order. If paying by cheque or money order, please make the payment out to the Minister of Finance.

How do I renew a drinking water certificate or wastewater licence which has expired?

Drinking Water Operator Certificate, Wastewater Operator Licence or Water Quality Analyst Certificate

If the renewal application is made within one year of the expiry date, the applicant must:

• meet the normal renewal requirements;
• pay a late renewal fee in addition to the normal renewal fee.

If the renewal application is to be made more than one year after the expiry date, please see the ‘Certification Guide for Operators and WQA of Drinking Water Systems’ and ‘Licensing Guide for Operators of Wastewater Facilities’.  These documents can be found on the ‘Detailed Guidance Documents’ dropdown menu in the renewals section of the OWWCO website.

What are Director Approved CEUs?

Courses which are Director Approved must meet certain training criteria and cover topics directly related to the duties typically performed by drinking water operators and water quality analysts. For a full list of Director Approved CEU courses, please see our CEU Approved Course Listing.

What is the difference between a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and hours of training?

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is an internationally accepted way to assess course duration. 10 training hours of approved training is equivalent to 1 CEU. All courses listed in the OWWCO website of approved trainers are listed in CEUs.

For a list of Director Approved courses, please see our CEU Approved Courses list.

For more information on Director Approved CEUs and on-the-job training, please see Guideline 4.4 Director Approved Continuing Education Guide for Training Providers.

What is on-the-job training?

On-the-job training (or OJT) typically occurs in the workplace and can include demonstrations, instruction, or training on matter directly related to the duties typically performed by drinking water operators and water quality analysts.

The training must:

• Be a structured learning event, involving contact between the learner and instructor
• Have documented learning objectives
• Be delivered by a training provider with expertise in the subject matter that is being covered
• Include a record of the training
• Be on subject matter directly related to the duties typically performed by an operator.

An OJT list must be submitted with drinking water renewals. This must be signed by your manager or ORO and include a detailed name of the event, the hour length, date taken, and the training provider’s name. Items which do not appear to be related to the duties of a drinking water operator such as “Safety Meetings” etc. must have details of the topics discussed included.

Note: Time spent on a ministry inspection is not considered OJT for the purpose of meeting this training requirement.

For more information please see the Guide to Drinking Water Operator Training Requirements.

Is my employer responsible for my training?

The owner or operating authority of the subsystem or facility you work in must take reasonable steps to ensure you meet your training requirement, however, as an operator you are ultimately responsible for ensuring your certification remains valid.

I work in two different types of drinking water subsystems and hold two different certificates. What training requirements must I meet?

Drinking water training requirements are based on the highest class of drinking water subsystem you operate. For example, if you work in both a class 1 and a class 2 subsystem, your training will be based on a class 2. See the Drinking Water Certificate Renewal Requirements tab on the Renewing Your Certificate or Licence page for more information.

I hold both drinking water certificates and wastewater licences. How many hours of training do I need?

Drinking water training requirements vary depending on the highest class of drinking water subsystem you operate and can be averaged over the 3 years a certificate is valid.

Wastewater training requirements are 40 hours of training every calendar year.

Beginning January 1, 2022, the 40 hours of annual training may be averaged over each subsequent three-year period during which the operator is employed in a facility for a total of 120 hours of training every 3 years.

While wastewater specific training cannot be used to renew drinking water certificates, training used to renew your drinking water certificate can be used towards meeting your wastewater training requirements.

Read more about drinking water and wastewater training requirements on the Renewing Your Certificate or Licence page.

I am a certified operator looking for employment opportunities. How can I make myself available to potential employers?

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks administers the Operator Workforce Matching Portal which is a free, online tool that helps connect system owners seeking staffing resources with certified operators who are available for employment. System owners with staffing needs are able to directly contact operators who register on the Portal with potential employment opportunities.

Follow these links for more information:

• Instructions for using the Operator Workforce Matching Portal
• Frequently asked questions

The following guidance documents can help you understand various aspects of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program.

They cover different scenarios that may apply to you, e.g., if you are a trainer, were off work for an extended medical leave, etc.

For operators who wish to hold Class 1 Ontario drinking water certificates in the certification areas of Water Treatment, Water Distribution, or Water Distribution and Supply, you are required to complete either the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Training Course or training considered equivalent prior to being issued a Class 1 Ontario certificate.

In order to obtain reciprocity for your certificates, you are required to complete and submit the Reciprocity Application Form. Attach a copy of your valid certificate or licence from another province to the application and submit your request by mail or fax to:

Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
295 The West Mall, Suite 302
Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
Fax: (416) 231-2107

The fee is $175 for each certificate or licence you are requesting and must be submitted with the completed application. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, cheque, or money order. If paying by cheque or money order, please make the payment out to the Minister of Finance.

Applications may take up to 30 days to process on receipt of a COMPLETE application and payment of the correct fee. Incomplete applications may be returned.

The ministry provides a number of guidance documents to help you understand various aspects of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program.

If you need more information about any of the requirements to obtain reciprocity for your certificate or licence, the following documents may provide you with clarification.

For Operator-in-Training (OIT) examinations

If you are looking to write one or all of the Operator-in-Training (OIT) exams, please make sure that you do the following:

1. Complete the Examination Registration form,
2. Provide proof of grade 12 or equivalent*; and
3. Submit your application at least four weeks before the exam date you wish to write.

For further details on obtaining your OIT, please visit the Getting Your Certificate/Licence for the First Time page.

For Class 1 to 4, Limited, and WQA examinations

If you are looking to write an examination to upgrade to a higher class of certificate or licence, please make sure that you do the following:

1. Complete the Examination Registration form,
2. Provide proof of grade 12 or equivalent*; and
3. Submit your application at least four weeks before the exam date you wish to write.

For further details on obtaining your Class 1 to 4, Water Quality Analyst, and Limited System certificate/licence, please visit the Upgrading Your Certificate/Licence page.

*If you have education other than an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or are unsure if your education can be accepted for proof of grade 12, please see Guideline 3.1 for more information. If your education is on file with a previous exam, you do not need to resubmit this with your current application.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled examination date, you can request to reschedule up to two times at no additional fee. You must provide written notice a minimum of two weeks prior to the exam date. If you are unable to attend the third scheduled date, the exam application is cancelled. No refunds will be issued. You must then apply for a new exam date by submitting a new application with payment.

Applicants who are unable to attend an exam due to severe weather, illness or other acceptable compassionate reasons may be allowed to reschedule without penalty. A doctor’s certificate or other documentation may be requested.

If an exam applicant, at any time, cancels an exam application no refund will be issued.

Owners and operating authorities of municipal and First Nation drinking water and wastewater systems may request to host an employer-site online OIT exam session at their workplace.

If you are an employer looking to schedule an on-site OIT exam, read the Employer-Site Examination Protocol to find out how and apply online here. 

You can access the FAQs here.

The ministry provides a number of guidance documents to help you understand various aspects of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program.

If you need more information about any of the requirements to write an examination, or if you feel your situation does not fall into the above categories, the following documents may provide you with clarification.