Training

Q: How do Training Contact Hours (TCHs) relate to Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)?
A: There are 10 TCHs in 1 CEU. Connecticut and Rhode Island set training renewal requirements in hours. For example a Class 1 Operator in CT needs 10 training hours for renewal.
Q: I’ve lost my training certificate how do I get another copy?
A: Contact Nicole Hendrickson via telephone, 860-889-6373 or email. She will confirm your attendance on the course sign-in sheet and issue you another certificate.
Q: If I have to leave a course early, or arrive late, can I still receive credit for the training course?
A: Atlantic States can issue training certificates to operators for the amount of time they attended a course rounded to the nearest half hour. However, the CT Department of Public Health, Drinking Water Section (DWS) will not accept partial credit course certificate for drinking water operator license renewal. As stipulated by the DWS, an operator can miss no more than 10% of the course due to illness or emergency and receive full credit for the course.
Q: How do I register for a training course?
A: You have a number of registration options including:
  • Register online
  • Call Nicole at 860-889-6373
  • Complete the registration form in the catalog and send it to Nicole via fax, 207-725-1497
  • Complete the registration form in the catalog and mail it to:
    • Attn: Nicole Hendrickson
    ASRWWA c/o MRWA
    14 Maine Street, Box 36
    Brunswick, ME 04011
Q: How do I know what training courses fit my renewal requirements?
A: At the bottom of the page for each course in our course catalog there is a “Credits” section which tells you how many TCHs you can earn by attending the course as well as what type of operator it applies to including: All Operators, Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Small Water System, Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Collection.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health, Drinking Water Section has developed the following list of topics that are appropriate for various drinking water licenses.

Suggested topic areas for water treatment operators
  • Basic Lab Skills
  • Chemical Delivery
  • Drinking Water Disinfection Principles and Practices
  • Drinking Water Microbiology
  • Drinking Water Treatment
  • Filtration
  • Fluoridation
  • Iron and Manganese Removal
  • Operating and Maintaining Chemical Feed Pumps
  • Sedimentation and Floatation
  • Water Treatment Plant Residual Management

Suggested topic areas for water distribution operators
  • Construction and Maintenance of Distribution Systems
  • Disinfection of Mains and Storage Tanks
  • Leak Detection
  • Valve and Hydrant Maintenance

Suggested topic areas for Small system operators
  • Basic Lab Skills
  • Disinfecting a Distribution System
  • Operating and Maintaining Chemical Feed Pumps

Suggested topic areas for all operators
  • Computer Applications for Operations of Water Systems
  • Contract Language
  • Corrosion Control
  • Cross Connection Control
  • Customer Service
  • Drought Management
  • Electricity and Electrical Controls
  • Emergency Response Planning
  • Flow Measurement
  • Hydraulics
  • Identification and Correction of Sanitary Deficiencies
  • Maintaining Pumps and Motors
  • Map and Blueprint Reading
  • Math 
  • Personnel Management
  • Procedures for Drinking Water Sampling
  • Public Health 
  • Record Keeping and Report Writing 
  • Safety 
  • Security 
  • Source Water Quality 
  • State and Federal Regulations 
  • Storage
  • Water Chemistry
  • Water System Management 
  • Wells (protection, maintenance, construction)
Q: My Operator Certificate has expired, what can I do to reinstate it?
A: Both Rhode Island and Connecticut drinking water programs allow you to reinstate your license within six (6) months of the expiration date. Simply obtain the required number of training hours and apply to have your certificate reinstated.
Q: How do I become a certified operator?
A: To become a certified operator you must meet education and experience requirements to be eligible to take the state exam for the level of certification sought. The education and experience requirements are summarized in our Technical Bulletins. Then complete and submit an application to the state drinking water program for the certification exam (usually six weeks before the exam). Call (860) 889-6373 for a CT Application and (401) 222-6867 for a RI Application. Please visit the calendar for CT & RI Exam dates.
Q: I am a certified Water Treatment and Water Distribution Operator, if I take a training course for “All Operators” can I use the credits for both licenses.
A: Yes, you can “double dip” and use the TCHs from that one course for both licenses.
Q: Do you take credit card payments?
A: We do not process credit cards for payments. You may bring a check, or cash, to the course, otherwise we would be happy to bill you after the course is completed.
Q: How can I become an instructor?
A: Visit the Training section for details.
Q: Are ASRWWA’s training courses approved for license renewal?
A: Yes, all water operator training course are CT DPH and RI DOH approved for license renewal. Each course includes information on if the course is approved for treatment, distribution or both licenses. Please visit our training section or contact Nicole Hendrickson with any questions.