Wastewater Operator Certification Program


Contract Operators

Any person or firm that contracts to operate a public or private wastewater treatment plant that is either regulated by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and/or assigned a Waste Discharge Requirement by the State Water Board or a Regional Water Quality Control Board must be registered with the Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP). Registration is required before operations begin. In addition, all operators employed by a contract operator must have current and valid wastewater treatment plant operator certifications. This is in accordance to section 3719 of the California Water Code.

Please note that the Chief Plant Operator (CPO) of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) must have an equal to or higher certificate grade than the WWTP’s classification. To check a WWTP classification status contact the Plant Classification Analyst, by email at wwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 341-5819.

Contract operator credentials shall be displayed at each wastewater treatment plant where the contract operator has a contract in a publicly viewable area.

Contract Operator registration is done by submitting a contract operator registration application and fee to the WWOCP. The WWOCP has 30 days after receipt of an application to either issue a credential (certificate that the WWTP and wastewater operators have been registered) or notify the applicant of their deficiency. The Contract Operator will be issued a Contract Operator Number, credential of company registration, and credentials for each WWTP listed in the application.

Registration must be renewed annually. The renewal application must be postmarked no later than 30 days prior to the registration expiration date. If it is late, there is fee of $100.00 and the Contract Operator will be eliminated from the WWOCP website listing of contract operators.

If a registered contract operator adds new operators or contracts with additional WWTP’s after its initial or annual registration, they are required to complete the contract operator credential application. There is a $50.00 fee for each new WWTP.

Registered Contract Operators are placed on the Contract Operator List, available on the WWOCP website. This list is updated on a monthly basis.


Questions or Comments?

If you have additional questions, please contact the Contract Operator Analyst by email at: wwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 341-5819.