Public Water System Operators: What Applicants for Licensing Need to Know
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This page will assist you in preparing for your licensing exam
and your daily job activities. Select the class and type of license
you are applying for in the list below to find the information you
should know before taking the licensing exam.
| Need-to-Know Criteria for Class D
Water Operators |
| Subject |
The Class D Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing
(
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A  ), Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and Drinking Water
Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ), for systems serving
less than 250 connections. |
| Safety |
Be able to identify safety hazards in the work environment;
know proper safety procedures and uses of safety equipment. |
| General |
Know: the major responsibilities of licensed operators in
relation to public-health principles and goals; the types of
potential waterborne diseases; the procedures and requirements for
bacteriological sampling; proper public and customer relations
procedures; definitions of the types of physical and chemical
characteristics of water; the hydrologic cycle; sources of drinking
water; types of required recordkeeping activities; general types of
contaminants of drinking water; the requirements for conducting
customer service inspections. |
| Groundwater |
Know: sources of well contamination and general methods of well
protection; major components of wells and each component’s
function; general knowledge of well pumps and motors; general
purposes of various groundwater treatment processes. |
| Surface Water |
Know: sources of surface water and characteristics of
good-quality water; major components of a surface water plant and
the treatment processes used in treating surface water |
| Storage/Distribution |
Know: purposes of various types of storage reservoirs;
components of distribution system; types and general purposes of
various meters, pumps, motors, valves and pipes; be familiar with
various types of cross-connections and have general knowledge of
backflow-prevention assemblies. |
| Disinfection |
Know: startup, shutdown, and safety procedures for chlorinators
and other disinfection equipment, the various forms, uses, hazards,
characteristics and types of storage of chlorine; basic reactions
of chlorine in water; first aid procedures for victims of chlorine
gas; how to test for chlorine residual. |
| Math |
Know how to: use common conversion units from a table of
equivalents; solve basic water utility math problems using area,
volume, and chemical dosage formulas. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class C Water Distribution Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C
Water Distribution System Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing
(
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ), Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and Drinking Water
Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ),for public water
supplies; know the objectives of public health laws (
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ), rules, and
regulations. |
| Safety |
Know: safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in
waterworks operations; basic first-aid procedures; traffic-control
safety procedures; trench-safety procedures. |
| General |
Know: diseases caused by waterborne organisms; basic chemistry
concepts related to distribution systems; sources and significance
of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of surface
water and groundwater; requirements for recordkeeping and reporting
activities; sanitation and disinfection requirements related to
distribution system construction; methods of preventing cross
connections; bacteriological and chemical sampling requirements.
Interpret lab results for bacteriological analyses. |
| Distribution |
Compare various types of storage; know purposes of storage;
maintenance, inspection and disinfection procedures for storage and
distribution facilities; know causes and effects of corrosion in
storage and distribution systems; operating procedures, preventive
and corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for
the following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction
and installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators, pipes and
joints, valves and fittings, backflow-prevention devices;
leak-detection procedures; critical safeguards of distribution
systems. |
| Disinfection |
Know: steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria;
relationship between chlorine dosage, demand, and residual and
significance of each; hazards of chlorine gas; operating
procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures,
startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for
chlorinators and other disinfection equipment. |
| Math |
Know how to solve problems involving dosage; detention time;
construction and maintenance activities. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class C Groundwater Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C
Groundwater Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing
(
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ), Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and Drinking Water
Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ), for public water
supplies; know the objectives of public health laws (
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ), rules and
regulations. |
| Safety |
Know: safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in
waterworks operations; basic first-aid procedures; traffic-control
safety procedures, trench safety procedures. |
| General |
Know: diseases caused by waterborne organisms; basic chemistry
concepts related to groundwater treatment; sources and significance
of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of
groundwater; basic hydraulic concepts related to groundwater
movement and wells; requirements for record-keeping and reporting
activities; sanitation and disinfection requirements related to
well construction and development; methods of preventing cross
connections; bacteriological and chemical sampling
requirements. |
| Production/Treatment |
Know: objectives and methods used in production/treatment of
groundwater; purpose, components, safety procedures, operating
procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, and
startup and shutdown procedures for the following: aerators,
chemical feeders, chlorinators, fluoridation equipment, pumps,
motors, and instrumentation. Study should include well-construction
and development procedures and techniques. |
| Storage/Distribution |
Compare various types of storage; know purposes of storage;
maintenance, inspection and disinfection procedures for storage and
distribution facilities; causes and effects of corrosion in storage
and distribution systems; operating procedures, preventive and
corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for the
following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction and
installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators pipes and
joints, valves and fittings; leak detection procedures; critical
safeguards of distribution systems. |
| Disinfection |
Know: steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria;
relationship between chlorine dosage, demand, and residual and
significance of each; hazards of chlorine gas; operating
procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures,
startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for
chlorinators and other disinfection equipment. |
| Math |
Know how to solve problems involving dosage; detention time;
static, pumping, and drawdown levels; construction and maintenance
activities. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class C Surface Water Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C
Surface Water Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing
(
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ), Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and Drinking Water
Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ), for public water
supplies; know the objectives of public health laws (
Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ), rules and
regulations. |
| Safety |
Know safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in
waterworks operations; basic first-aid procedures; traffic-control
safety procedures; trench safety procedures. |
| General |
Know: diseases caused by waterborne organisms; basic chemistry
concepts related to surface water treatment; sources and
significance of physical, chemical and biological characteristics
of surface water; requirements for record-keeping and reporting
activities; sanitation and disinfection requirements related to
surface water production; methods of preventing cross connections;
methods of water softening; bacteriological and chemical sampling
requirements. |
| Treatment/Production |
Know: objectives and methods used in treating surface water;
factors affecting pretreatment, taste and odor formation,
coagulation and flocculation, jar tests, turbidity, sedimentation,
filtration, disinfection and trihalomethane formation; the purpose,
components, safety procedures, operating procedures, preventive and
corrective maintenance procedures and startup and shutdown
procedures for the following: aerators, chemical feeders,
flocculating equipment, sedimentation basins, filtration equipment,
fluoridation equipment, pumps, motors and instrumentation; proper
sludge disposal methods. |
| Storage/Distribution |
Compare various types of storage; know: purposes of storage;
maintenance, inspection and disinfection procedures for storage and
distribution facilities; causes and effects of corrosion in storage
and distribution systems; operating procedures, preventive and
corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for the
following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction and
installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators, pipes and
joints, valves and fittings; leak detection procedures; critical
safeguards of distribution systems. |
| Disinfection |
Know: steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria;
relationship between chlorine dosage, demand and residual; and
significance of each; hazards of chlorine gas; operating
procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures,
startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for
chlorinators and other disinfection equipment. |
| Math |
Know how to solve problems involving dosage, detention time,
filter rates, construction and maintenance activities. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class B Water Distribution Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class C Water Distribution
Criteria, the Class B Water Distribution Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations
regarding licensing (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ), Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and Drinking Water
Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ), with emphasis on
distribution systems. Be familiar with proposed EPA rules and regulations. |
| Safety |
Be able to implement a safety program in the workplace, conduct
tailgate safety sessions, be familiar with the (Texas
Hazard Communication Act ); know lab hazards,
lab precautions, traffic, confined spaces, and shoring safety. |
| General |
Know basic concepts regarding employee supervision and
requirements for maintenance of a distribution system. |
| Laboratory |
Know steps in performing basic chemical-laboratory analyses; be
able to interpret results of the lab tests and make proper
adjustments; be familiar with methods used in bacteriological
examinations. |
| Storage/Distribution |
Be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding
storage and distribution. Have a basic knowledge of meters, valves,
and how pumps operate. |
| Disinfection |
Be able to optimize chlorine usage in the distribution system
and have a thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine
reactions in water, and factors affecting disinfection. |
| Math |
Know how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage,
flow rates, construction and maintenance activities, horsepower,
and laboratory calculations. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class B Groundwater Operators
|
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class C Groundwater Criteria,
the Class B Groundwater Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations
regarding licensing (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ), Public Water
System Operators and Operations Companies (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), Rules and Regulations
for Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Standards (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ). Be familiar with
proposed EPA rules and regulations. |
| Safety |
Be able to implement a safety program in the workplace; conduct
tailgate safety sessions; be familiar with the (Texas
Hazard Communication Act ); know lab hazards
and lab precautions; know shoring requirements. |
| General |
Know: basic concepts regarding employee supervision; well
construction requirements and well development procedures; causes
of unstable water, methods of measuring corrosiveness, and
procedures used to control corrosion. |
| Treatment/Production |
Be able to diagnose and correct complex problems in groundwater
treatment processes. |
| Laboratory |
Know steps in performing basic chemical laboratory analyses; be
able to interpret results of lab tests and make proper adjustments
to treatment processes; be familiar with methods used in
bacteriological examinations. |
| Storage/Distribution |
Be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding
storage and distribution. |
| Disinfection |
Be able to optimize chlorine usage in the water system; have a
thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine reactions
in water, and factors affecting disinfection; have a thorough
understanding of chlorinator components. |
| Math |
Know how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage,
detention time, flow rates, horsepower and laboratory
calculations. |
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Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class B Surface Water Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class C Surface Water Criteria,
the Class B Surface Water Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations
regarding licensing (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A ( ), "Public Water System
Operators and Operations Companies" (
30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K ), "Rules and
Regulations for Public Water Systems" (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D ), and "Drinking Water
Standards" (
30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ). Be familiar with
proposed (EPA rules ) EPA rules and
regulations. |
| Safety |
Be able to implement a safety program in the workplace; conduct
tailgate safety sessions; be familiar with the (Texas
Hazard Communication Act ); know lab hazards
and lab precautions, know shoring requirements. |
| General |
Know: basic concepts regarding employee supervision; causes of
unstable water, methods of measuring corrosiveness, and procedures
used to control corrosion; problems associated with thermal
stratification and how to correct them. |
| Treatment/Production |
Be able to diagnose and correct complex problems in surface
water treatment processes. |
| Laboratory |
Know steps in performing basic chemical laboratory analyses; be
able to interpret results of lab tests and make proper adjustments
to treatment processes; be familiar with methods used in
bacteriological examinations. |
| Storage/Production |
Be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding
storage and distribution. |
| Disinfection |
Be able to optimize chlorine usage in the water system; have a
thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine reactions
in water, and factors affecting disinfection; have a thorough
understanding of chlorinator components. |
| Math |
Know how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage,
detention time, flow rates, horsepower and laboratory
calculations. |
Return to top.
Need-to-Know Criteria for
Class A Water Operators |
| Subject |
In Addition to Knowledge of the Class B Groundwater, Water
Distribution, and Surface Water Criteria, the Class A Water
Operator Should: |
| Rules/Regulations |
Be knowledgeable of proposed and current (EPA rules ) and their implications
for public water systems. |
| Safety |
Be able to develop safety programs for waterworks operators.
Know responsibilities of employer and employee in regard to safety
in the work place. |
| General |
Know: the health significance of various chemicals when found
in water in excess of required or recommended limits: how to plan,
organize and implement corrosion control programs; how to plan,
organize and implement an emergency management program related to
disaster preparedness; how to develop and implement energy and
water conservation programs; types of water-borne diseases
infectious agents, modes of transmission and methods of control;
how to interpret pump curves. |
| Management |
Know techniques used in managing a water system and supervising
its employees. Be able to plan, organize, staff, direct and control
the operations of a public water system. |
| Treatment/Production |
Know how to implement special treatment process related to
fluoridation, stabilization, softening, desalination, iron and
manganese problems, control of trace organics, and taste and odor
control. |
| Disinfection |
Know alternative methods of disinfection of public water
supplies. |
| Math |
Know how to solve all types of calculation problems encountered
in water system operations. |
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