Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program
Exam and Training Update
TOPEKA – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program has suspended operator examinations and Department sponsored classroom training until further notice. Water and wastewater operator renewal timeframes will be extended, and additional examination dates will be scheduled. Details will be provided soon concerning the renewal process. Additional examination dates will be posted on the KDHE Operator Certification webpage:
www.kdheks.gov/water/www.html.
In addition to addressing operator renewal and examination concerns KDHE is developing guidance regarding alternative monitoring for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR), Continuity Of Operations Plans (COOP), and a streamlined process for temporary operator reciprocity. These documents will be posted on KDHE’s COVID-19 Resource Center webpage: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm.
Water and wastewater operators should continue to employ standard industry practices as discussed in the March 12, 2020 Guidance for Kansas Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Risks. This document can also be found on the COVID-19 Resource Center webpage: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm#undefined under the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators menu link.
“KDHE is committed to helping water and wastewater systems address the uncertainty and its effect on utility operations the COVID-19 pandemic has created,” Cathy Tucker-Vogel, Section Chief for the Public Water Supply Section. “We will collectively work with utility operators to ensure public health and environmental protection.”