The Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board determines the criteria for facility classification in Regulation 100. The treatment facility and distribution/collection system classification establishes the minimum certification level for operators who act as the certified operator(s) in responsible charge (ORC). All facilities are subject to classification according to the criteria adopted by the board. If you are a certified operator in responsible charge (ORC) for a facility, you are expected to hold the certification at the level for the facility to remain in compliance with Regulation 100. Please review this webpage and Regulation 100 to be informed.
What is this about?
- If an ORC does not hold the correct certification, here is a helpful summary guide.
How do I know the facility classification?
The facility classification criteria are written so owners/operators can identify the facility classification. Please review facility classification sections in Regulation 100. Sections 100.4 to 100.9 are the primary facility classification sections. Exemptions are included in section 100.1.5.
Drinking water facility classifications
Drinking water treatment and distribution system classifications are listed in the monitoring schedule. Treatment facilities are classified as A, B, C, D and O. Level A is highest and O indicates the facility is exempt from a treatment operator. Distribution system facilities are classified as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 0. Level 4 is highest and 0 indicates the facility is exempt from a distribution operator.
Drinking water treatment and distribution system classifications are listed in the monitoring schedule. Treatment facilities are classified as A, B, C, D and O. Level A is highest and O indicates the facility is exempt from a treatment operator. Distribution system facilities are classified as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 0. Level 4 is highest and 0 indicates the facility is exempt from a distribution operator.
Wastewater facility classifications(Domestic wastewater treatment, collection, and industrial treatment)
Wastewater treatment and collection system classifications are presented in the following table.
Treatment facilities are classified as A, B, C, D and O. Level A is the highest and O indicates the facility is exempt from a treatment operator. “I-” indicates industrial treatment operator is required. Collection system facilities are classified as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 0. Level 4 is highest and 0 indicates the facility is exempt from a collection operator. Note for all collection systems: Regulation 100 was updated in 2018 to include a new 2-step process for determining classifications. The first step is consideration of population using the same numerical thresholds as before. The second step will be evaluation of identified complicating factors such as large lift stations in the collection system (see section 100.9.2 of Regulation 100). Note: Satellite collection systems are not in the table below. Please contact David Kurz at david.kurz@state.co.us regarding satellite collection systems
Treatment facilities are classified as A, B, C, D and O. Level A is the highest and O indicates the facility is exempt from a treatment operator. “I-” indicates industrial treatment operator is required. Collection system facilities are classified as 1, 2, 3, 4 and 0. Level 4 is highest and 0 indicates the facility is exempt from a collection operator. Note for all collection systems: Regulation 100 was updated in 2018 to include a new 2-step process for determining classifications. The first step is consideration of population using the same numerical thresholds as before. The second step will be evaluation of identified complicating factors such as large lift stations in the collection system (see section 100.9.2 of Regulation 100). Note: Satellite collection systems are not in the table below. Please contact David Kurz at david.kurz@state.co.us regarding satellite collection systems
- Where do I get information about certification testing?
The Board has an operator testing program providing testing, as implemented by the Board’s contractor Colorado Certified Water Professionals (CCWP). Examination information and CCWP operator portal tutorials. - My industrial wastewater treatment facility is predominantly biological treatment technology. Are there options for the certified operator in responsible charge (ORC) for the facility?
Industrial wastewater treatment facilities with predominantly biological methods in use to treat organic and inorganic constituents may request the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board to allow a substitution of a certified operator in responsible charge (ORC) with a Class A domestic wastewater treatment certification for compliance with an industrial wastewater facility classification. For more information on qualifications and how to submit a request to the board, please review this Fact Sheet. - Frequently asked questions and answers
Use ctrl-f to search for words within the table.
Individual questions can be emailed to:
- Domestic wastewater, collection, reclaimed water, industrial wastewater: David Kurz, Lead Wastewater Engineer: david.kurz@state.co.us.
- Drinking water, distribution: Tyson Ingels, Lead Drinking Water Engineer: tyson.ingels@state.co.us.