Small Systems

The table below lists the different types of small drinking water systems that are regulated under Ontario Regulation 170/03 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the type of certificate or designation that qualified individuals need to have. Click on the links to find out how you can become certified to operate these systems.

*A drinking water OIT may operate a limited subsystem only if they are under the supervision of an Overall Responsible Operator and Operator-in-Charge who holds or is deemed to hold a limited subsystem certificate for that type of limited subsystem.

*Operational checks for chlorine residual and turbidity can be performed by a Supervised Person for the system categories listed above.

• • Large municipal non-residential drinking water systems that serve such facilities as municipally-owned airports and industrial parks, and large sports and recreation facilities;
  • Small municipal non-residential drinking water systems that serve such facilities as small community centres, libraries, and sports and recreation facilities;
  • Non-municipal seasonal residential drinking water systems that serve such facilities as private cottages on communal drinking water systems;
  • Large non-municipal non-residential drinking water systems that serve such facilities as large motels and resorts; and
  • Small non-municipal non-residential drinking water systems that serve such facilities as motels, restaurants, gas stations, churches, and bed and breakfasts.There are other types of small drinking water systems that are regulated under Ontario Regulation 319/08 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. These include:

For more information about the requirements to operate the small systems listed above, contact your local public health unit. To learn more, visit the Small Drinking Water Systems section of the Ministry of Health website at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/system/services/phu/locations.aspx.

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

Depending on whether the drinking water source is surface water or groundwater, the person operating that system must hold or be deemed to hold one of the following certificates:

A person who holds a valid Water Treatment Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate can operate limited surface water or limited ground water systems. A person who holds a valid Water Distribution and Supply OIT certificate can operate limited groundwater systems.

To get a limited system certificate, you must:

1. Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.

2. Successfully complete the Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems course, available through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. Visit their Small Systems Zone to register for the correspondence course or online course.

3. Keep your course certificate as proof of completion.

4. Apply to write the appropriate Limited System Operator exam using the Examination Registration Form 2130E:
   • Apply for the Limited System Surface Water Certificate exam — if the source of your water is surface water, or groundwater under the influence of surface water
   • Apply for the Limited System Groundwater Certificate exam — if the source of your water is groundwater
   • If you do not hold an Operator-in-Training or Class 1 – 4 certificate, you must verify grade 12 or other training/qualifications considered equivalent to grade 12 with your exam application.
   • Submit your completed application form with payment and the required documentation to the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office (OWWCO).

5. Pass the exam.

6. Apply for your certificate using the Drinking Water Certificate and Wastewater Licence Application. Submit your completed application form with payment and proof that you completed the Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems course.

A limited system certificate expires every three years. You must renew your certificate to continue operating a drinking water system. To maintain your certificate, you need to meet all of the following criteria and apply to renew your certificate before it expires:

1. Complete the mandatory renewal course.
   • The mandatory renewal course: Safe Drinking Water Operator Essentials is offered through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC). You can complete it by correspondence or attend the course in person.
   • Visit WCWC for course offerings and to find out how to register.

2. Complete 21 hours of Director approved continuing education.
   • The mandatory renewal course counts as 7 hours of the continuing education requirement.
   • Review the list of Director approved courses. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to 10 hours of training.
   • Contact the training providers on the list to find out when and where courses are being offered and get yourself registered.
   • Keep all your training records. You will need to submit proof of training when you apply to renew your certificate.

3. Complete 39 hours of on-the-job practical training.
   • In addition to accepted activities to renew Class 1 – 4 certificates, the ministry may accept the following as on-the-job practical training for limited systems certificates:
   • reviewing inspection results with a water inspector;
   • viewing related videos; and
   • reading system specific operational manuals/instructions/emergency procedures (maximum of 9 hours per certificate cycle will be accepted).
   • Refer to the Guide to Drinking Water Operator Training Requirements for a complete list of acceptable on-the-job training activities.

4. Meet operational experience requirements.
   • You must have at least 3 months experience in the previous 36 months of working as an operator in a subsystem, or experience that the Director considers as related.

5. Apply to renew your certificate at least one month before it expires.
   • Send your completed Drinking Water Certificate and Wastewater Licence Renewal Application with payment and the required documentation to the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office.
   • Avoid processing delays by ensuring your application is fully completed. Refer to the Drinking Water Renewal Tip Sheet for more information.

For additional guidance go to https://www.ontario.ca/page/renew-limited-system-certificate

Complete the correspondence or online course, Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems course, available through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC). Visit the Small Systems Zone to register.

Keep your course completion certificate which verifies that you are a Trained Person. Keep it handy as you will need to show it during a ministry inspection as proof of training.

Your designation is valid for 3 years from the date you completed the course.

Complete one of the following courses* that have been specifically selected as acceptable training for Trained Persons. You must take this training before your designation expires:

• Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems (classroom, online or correspondence), WCWC
• Small System Fundamentals (classroom), WCWC
• Best Practices for Small Systems (classroom), WCWC
• Small Systems Hands-on Workshop (classroom), WCWC
• Small Water System Operation and Maintenance (online or correspondence), California State

Keep your training records for verification. It will be requested during a ministry inspection.

If you do not complete one of the courses listed above before your Trained Person designation expires, you will lose your designation and will not be able to operate a drinking water system.

*If you completed a Director approved course(s) from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015 that is not included in this list, it can be used to meet your “Trained Person” designation. Please contact the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for guidance at 416-325-4000, Toll-free: 1-800-565-4923 or send a message to https://www.ontario.ca/contact-us.

Tips for Getting Training

• Find out when your Trained Person designation expires. You must complete the training before that date.
• Visit the Walkerton Clean Water Centre website at www.wcwc.ca/en/training/ to register for their courses listed above.
• Visit the California State website at www.owp.csus.edu/ to register for their course, which is also Director approved for Trained Persons.

Tips for Keeping Track of Your Training

• Take note of when you completed your training. To maintain your designation, you must take another course – from the list above – within 36 months of that date.
• Use the ministry’s Training Tracker to help you log and monitor the training you complete.
• Keep all your training records and certificates. You will need to show proof of training for ministry inspections.

Diagram of Renewal Cycle

If you are a Supervised Person working under the supervision of a certified operator, you can conduct these tests in the following types of systems:

• Municipal:
  • a small municipal residential system
  • a small municipal non-residential system serving a designated facility
  • a large municipal non-residential system serving a designated facility

• Non-municipal:
  • a small non-municipal non-residential system serving a designated facility
  • a large non-municipal non-residential system serving a designated facility
  • a non-municipal year-round residential system
  • a non-municipal seasonal system serving a designated facility.

Chlorine residual testing in a large municipal residential system must only be performed by persons holding a water treatment, water distribution or water quality analyst certificate.

Refer to the ministry’s Training Manual for Supervised Persons Conducting Operational Checks for more information about the conditions that must be met for Supervised Persons to conduct chlorine residual or turbidity tests.

For information on the required qualifications to operate, test or sample drinking water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act, refer to the reference chart available on the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-environment-conservation-parks.