Looking for Certified Operators?
There are instances when a community or wastewater treatment plant owner must find an appropriately certified operator as required by 6NYCRR Part 650 Regulations.
A wastewater treatment plant must be under the supervision of a currently certified plant operator.
DEC maintains a partial listing of people or companies who provide contract operations services at wastewater treatment plants. This list is in no way an endorsement of these businesses by DEC, merely information to assist municipalities.
A municipality can search for currently certified wastewater treatment plant operators on NYWEA's Certified Operators Directory. This directory will list the current status, expiration date, certificate number, and certification grade for an operator.
Looking for a Contract Laboratory?
Information about the Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) requirement for analysis of SPDES permit parameters and a list of ELAP certified laboratories can be found on the Department of Health's ELAP webpage.
If a community needs help finding a laboratory to analyze their wastewater or stormwater, who is qualified via ELAP, they can consult the New York State Department of Health's listing of Commercial Laboratories. This listing is organized by county.
Understand the Regulations and Review Guidance Documents
The 6NYCRR Part 650,Qualifications of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants are the regulations which establish specific requirements for wastewater treatment plant certification in New York State. These regulations establish the qualifications necessary for certification of wastewater treatment plant operators in New York State and require that wastewater treatment plants be under the responsible supervision of an appropriately certified operator. The regulations also include information on:
- Regulatory authority and policy for operator certification
- Wastewater treatment plant oversight
- Certification requirements
- Treatment plant scoring
The TOGS 5.1.6, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification (PDF) document provides guidance for DEC staff on how to interpret and administer the 6 NYCRR Part 650 Regulations. The document covers the following topics:
- Certificate renewal
- Certificate expiration
- Certificate suspension and revocation information
How to Determine the Plant Score of Your Wastewater Facility
Wastewater treatment plants are scored based on the type and complexity of the treatment using a point system outlined in Part 650.3 of the Regulations. In order to determine what grade level of wastewater treatment plant operator a facility is required to maintain, you must first know the plant score of the facility.
The most recent plant scores for the majority of New York's municipal wastewater treatment plants (PDF) is available. These plant scores are not all accurate, as they may not have been updated to reflect facility upgrades or SPDES Permit changes. The listing is ordered by SPDES number and each score report contains information about the facility's unit processes, point score, and plant classification. If a facility is not included in this list, or plant score needs to be updated, complete the WWTP Facility Score Sheet form (PDF).
Information to Help Manage Plant Resources
Asset Management and Sustainability
Asset Management is a process for maintaining a desired level of customer service at the best cost. It is an approach that combines management, financial, economic, engineering, and other practices to physical assets with the objective of providing the required level of service in the most cost-effective manner.
- DEC and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) developed a comprehensive overview of the Wastewater Infrastructure Needs Report 2008 (PDF)
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an introduction to the approach and links to more resources.
- CUPSS is a free, easy-to-use, asset management tool for small drinking water and wastewater utilities. CUPSS provides a simple, comprehensive approach based on EPA's Simple Tools for Effective Performance (STEP) Guide series.
Funding Resources
- Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) offers several loan and grant programs for municipalities.
- Municipalities are eligible to apply for Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) funds for municipal wastewater treatment, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), nonagricultural nonpoint source abatement and control, aquatic habitat restoration, and water quality management.
- The Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University (EFC) leverages more than 200 partners to connect local government officials and private organizations with technical assistance, assessment tools, and funding. EFC also provides professional training and community outreach.
Learn about Wastewater Management
- The Handbook on Wastewater Management for Local Representatives is a free publication intended for mayors, town supervisors, administrators, clerks, treasurers, and sewer board members.
- New York Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (NYWARN) of utilities supports emergency preparedness, disaster response, sharing resources, and developing emergency contacts.
- USEPA's Enforcement Compliance History Online (ECHO) provides fast, integrated searches of EPA and state data for 800,000+ regulated facilities. ECHO integrates inspection, violation, and enforcement for the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and hazardous waste laws. ECHO also includes Safe Drinking Water Act data, Toxics Release Inventory data, National Emissions Inventory data, and Water Quality Data.
Need Technical Assistance?
- The NY Rural Water Association provides free on-site technical assistance to small and rural wastewater treatment and collection systems through the Wastewater Technical Assistance Program and the Wastewater Training and Technical Assistance Program both funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded the National Small Flows Clearinghouse (NSFC) to help America's small communities and individuals solve their wastewater problems.
