The NC Water Treatment Facility Operator Certification Board (NCWTFOCB) requires that all drinking water certified operators renew certifications annually before December 31. This annual renewal follows each year after the initial certification. As part of the renewal process, drinking water operators are required to complete six hours of continuing education board-approved professional growth coursework each year, following the year of initial certification.

Drinking water, wastewater, remediation, landfill, land application operations, and other operations are intertwined with little formal association with one another. There are occasions that these operations will meet to discuss issues, but mostly, if everyone does their job professionally, the all will continue without issue. Professionals in this industry are one another’s keeper in the effort to protect public health and the environment.

A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a vital part of a communities’ ability to protect public and environmental health. A WWTP operator’s job is to make sure the plant process runs smoothly. Operators record daily readings, take water samples, and conduct plant inspections. Starting your career in wastewater includes attending an introductory level school along with passing a certification exam.