CERTIFICATION CLASS TIMES

In-person and virtual classes start at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and end at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, and noon on Thursday.

 

One-day Workshops start at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

 

All class times take place in the time zone of the in-person class.

 

CLASS INFORMATION

 

*The Stabilization Pond class deals strictly with ponds and is the best class for preparing to take the Small Wastewater System exam. The Basic Wastewater Treatment Class deals with all types of wastewater treatment other than ponds and is the best class for preparing to take the Class I Wastewater Treatment exam. Small systems that use ponds for treatment can come into compliance with the OpCert Law by passing either the Class I Wastewater Exam or the Small Wastewater System exam.

 

**Water systems serving less than 500 people that use wells can come into compliance by passing the Small Water Treatment exam. Larger systems must pass the Class I Water Treatment exam.

 

EXAM INFORMATION

Beginning July 1, 2021, all exams cost $60. There will be no fee for the annual renewal. All exam applications are due two weeks before the exam date.

 

Questions regarding exams can be directed to Tammie Hill with DANR at 605-773-3577 or tammie.hill@state.sd.us.

 

CLICK HERE FOR DANR Operator Certification website

 

STUDY MATERIALS

DANR has water exam study material to lend to operators. These include manuals from California State:

• Water Distribution System Operation and Maintenance
• Small Water System Operation and Maintenance

 

For more information on certification training classes, please contact Bill Thorson at 605-556-7219 (office) or 605-201-0170 (cell).

Certification Study Materials:

For training materials you can follow the following links:

 

ABC Certification Exam References

 

ABC Certification Page

 

California State University at Sacramento

Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWWT)

Topics covered include: wastewater lab testing & microbiology, activated sludge, trickling filters, sludge handling; anaerobic digestion; aerobic digestion, sludge land application, sedimentation, stabilization ponds, disinfection, DMR’s Surface Water Discharge Permits and advanced wastewater treatment math. Day 1 & 2 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Day 3 - 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

Basic Water Treatment (BWT)

Topics covered include: South Dakota Drinking Water Regulations, disinfection, fluoridation, groundwater and wells, pumping, hardness, cross connections, pH, filtration, turbidity and mathematics. Day 1 & 2, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Day 3 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

Basic Wastewater Treatment (BWWT)

Topics covered include: natural biological processes in lagoons, water level controls, summaries of troubleshooting procedures, control of vegetation and odors, correction for low dissolved oxygen, primary treatment, trickling filters and RBCs, activated sludge, sampling, reporting, DMR’s, and wastewater math. Day 1 & 2, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Day 3, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

 

Class III & IV Wastewater Collection (WWC)

This one-day class is for those operators who may wish to take a higher-level wastewater collection exam. Items covered will be those topics not covered in the basic wastewater collection course.

 

Intermediate Water Distribution Workshop (IWD)

This course is designed to assist those operators who will be attempting a class II or III water distribution exam. Items covered will include operation and maintenance of a water distribution system, safety, and class II and III mathematics. The class will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will end at 4:30 p.m. local time.

Intermediate Water Treatment (IWT)

Topics covered include: South Dakota Drinking Water Regulations, surface water treatment, lime/soda ash softening, chemistry, advanced mathematics, and new technologies in the drinking water industry. Day 1 & 2 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Day 3 - 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

 

Leak Detection Workshop

This one day course will discuss issues pertaining to leak detection, repair, and safety within a water distribution system. Topics covered will include equipment that may be used to locate leaks within a distribution system. The Workshop will start @ 8:30 a.m. and end around 4:00 p.m. local time.

 

Safety and Math Workshop (SMW)

This workshop is designed to provide water operations specialists with a better understanding of some of the hazards in their work place and day to day operations. It is interspersed with mathematics in areas relating to the safety topics but also relate to the mathematics that are important to those operation specialists who will be taking certification exams. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the class starting sharply at 8:30 a.m. and adjourning at 4:30 a.m. Operators should anticipate receiving approximately 7 hours of contact time for this workshop.

 

Small Water Treatment Workshop (SWT)

Topics covered include; small water treatment systems, ground water issues, disinfection issues, regulatory issues for small community and non-community water systems. This course is designed for those who are not involved on a full time basis with water treatment. This is a one-day course starting at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at 4:30 p.m.

Stabilization Pond Workshop

This workshop is designed to help those systems who operate a wastewater stabilization pond and/or a constructed wetland. Topics covered include: pond design, operation and maintenance, trouble shooting and certification mathematics. These one-day workshops start at 8:00 a.m. and end around 4:30 p.m.

 

Water Distribution

This workshop will cover tools, equipment and products important to the operation and maintenance of a water distribution system. Attendees will be provided the opportunity to view and inspect various water distribution products and ask questions of the suppliers of the equipment and manufacturers representatives. The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will adjourn approximately 4:00 p.m.

 

Wastewater Collection Workshop

This one day workshop will focus on wastewater lift station O&M. The session will include information on lift station pumps and controls. This is a one day course starting at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at 4:30 p.m.

 

Wastewater Collection/Water Distribution (WWC/WD)

Day 1 will be Wastewater Collection, Day 2 Water Distribution, and Day 3 will cover topics related to both. Topics covered include: components of distribution & collection systems, system maintenance, disinfection procedures, South Dakota Drinking Water Regulations, wastewater characteristics, safety and mathematics. Day 1 & 2 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Day 3 - 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.