Ontario has adopted ABC standardized exams for:
- Water Treatment and Water Distribution and Supply (Class 1 to 4)
- Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection (Class 1 to 4)
The water quality analyst, water distribution, limited subsystem and operator-in-training exams continue to use current Ontario exam content.
For more information, please see:
Ontario Drinking Water and Wastewater Certification Exams: Upcoming Changes
The following tables list appropriate study materials for each exam – for Drinking Water and Wastewater.
All ‘need-to-know’ documents are available at no cost and can be accessed via the links below. Study guides and manuals relevant to each exam are also listed, with information on how to order them. The study guides and manuals provide a broad overview to the subjects covered on exams.
The resources are to help operators prepare for exams. They are not intended to replace the appropriate training and experience an operator should have. These resources may not completely cover all exam subject areas.
To purchase study materials, please visit our Bookstore.
New formula/conversion tables for the new exams:
Drinking Water
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Treatment | n/a | Operator-in-Training Study Guide Mathematics for Water and Wastewater Operators |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution | n/a | Operator-in-Training Study Guide Mathematics for Water and Wastewater Operators |
Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Treatment | Water Treatment Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Water Treatment 1 (AWWA) Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) Water Treatment Operator Training Handbook Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level 1 (Vol. A & B) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution | Water Distribution Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 1 & 2 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level 1 (Vol. A & B) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution and Supply | Water Distribution and Supply Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 1 & 2 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level 1 (Vol. A & B) |
Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Treatment | Water Treatment Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Water Treatment 2 (AWWA) Water Treatment Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution | Water Distribution Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 1 & 2 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution and Supply | Water Distribution and Supply Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 1 & 2 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Treatment | Water Treatment Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Water Treatment 3-4 (AWWA) Water Treatment Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Treatment Plant Operation (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.phpwater.php |
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Water Distribution | Water Distribution Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 3 & 4 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.phpwater.php |
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Water Distribution and Supply | Water Distribution and Supply Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 3 & 4 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.phpwater.php |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Treatment | Water Treatment Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Water Treatment 3-4 (AWWA) Water Treatment Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Treatment Plant Operation (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.php |
||
Water Distribution | Water Distribution Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 3 & 4 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.php |
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Water Distribution and Supply | Water Distribution and Supply Need-to-Know | Water System Operations (WSO) Distribution 3 & 4 (AWWA) Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook Water Operator Certification Exam Prep (AWWA) |
Bookstore |
Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.php |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Limited Surface Water | Limited Water Subsystem Exam Need-to-Know | n/a | n/a |
Limited Groundwater | Limited Water Subsystem Exam Need-to-Know | n/a | n/a |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Water Quality Analyst | Water Quality Analyst Exam Need-to-Know | Water Quality – Principles and Practices of Water Supply Operations | American Water Works Assn. 1-800-926-7337 |
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater, 22nd Edition | Water Environment Federation 1-800-666-0206 or www.e-wef.org |
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Water Treatment Plant Operation (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/drinking-water.php |
Wastewater
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Wastewater Treatment | n/a | Operator-in-Training Study Guide Mathematics for Water and Wastewater Operators | Bookstore |
Wastewater Collection | n/a | Operator-in-Training Study Guide Mathematics for Water and Wastewater Operators |
Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Wastewater Treatment | Wastewater Treatment Need-to-Know | Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level 1 (Vol. A & B) Wastewater Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) |
Bookstore |
Wastewater Collection | Wastewater Collection Need-to-Know | Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level 1 (Vol. A & B) Collection Systems Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) |
Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Wastewater Treatment | Wastewater Treatment Need-to-Know | Alberta Water & Wastewater Operations Manual Level II (Vol. A & B) Wastewater Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) |
Bookstore |
Wastewater Collection | Wastewater Collection Need-to-Know | Collection Systems Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) | Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Wastewater Treatment | Wastewater Treatment Need-to-Know | Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater.php |
Wastewater Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) | Bookstore | ||
Wastewater Collection | Wastewater Collection Need-to-Know | Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater.php |
Collection Systems Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) | Bookstore |
Exam | Free on-line need-to- know exam guides | Study guides for purchase | How to order guides/manuals |
Wastewater Treatment | Wastewater Treatment Need-to-Know | Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater.php |
Wastewater Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) | Bookstore | ||
Wastewater Collection | Wastewater Collection Need-to-Know | Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems (Vol. 1 & 2) | California State University 1-916-278-6142 http://www.owp.csus.edu/courses/wastewater.php |
Collection Systems Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination (WEF) | Bookstore |
With the exception of the following Need-to-Know guides, study materials are only available in English.
- Guide Des Sujets D’examen D’accréditation – Traitement De L’eau
- Guide Des Sujets D’examen D’accréditation – Distribution De L’eau Potable
- Critères des sujets d’examen d’accréditation de l’ABC pour les exploitants d’installations de traitement des eaux usées
- Critères des sujets d’examen d’accréditation de l’ABC pour les exploitants d’installations de>collecte des eaux usées
- Guide Des Sujets D’examen D’accréditation – Adduction Et Distribution De L’eau Potable