Transcript Membrane Filtration - Tennessee Association of Utility

Operator Certification Update
Utility Technology Conference
March 14, 2013
Alan Cranford, Chair
Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Board
Acknowledgements
• Joe Holmes (Director) - Fleming Training Center
• Sherry Messick (Certification Program Coordinator) – Fleming
Training Center
• Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)
Agenda
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Operator Certification Board
Examinations
Water Treatment/Distribution (Examination Results)
Wastewater Treatment/Collection System (Examination Results)
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Pass Rate Per Education Level
Certification Training Questionnaire Results
Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery
Key Points for Taking the Exam
Textbook Reference List
Biggest Issues Before the Board
General Notes
Questions
Operator Certification Board
Purpose
• The General Assembly established the operator certification
program and created the Water and Wastewater Operator
Certification Board in 1971
• As stated in T.C.A. §68-221-902, the Board's purpose is to
administer a program of certification for operators of water and
wastewater systems that will ensure proper operation of such
systems and protect the public and environment
Operator Certification Board
Duties of the Board are specified in TCA 68-221-906
• Implementation and enforcement of rules necessary for proper
program administration
• Holding at least one (1) examination annually
• Advertising and promoting the program
• Encouraging operators to become certified in addition to those
required by law
• Distributing applications and notices
• Receiving and evaluating applications
• Preparing, conducting and grading examinations
• Setting up a system of fees and late penalties for applicants
Operator Certification Board
Duties of the Board are specified in TCA 68-221-906
• Maintaining all records of the program, and maintaining a register of
certified operators
• Promoting and scheduling regular training schools and programs
• Hearing appeals from orders or ruling issued by the Commissioner
• Recommending to the Commissioner the staff required to effectively
administer the program
Operator Certification Board
Funding
• Program fee revenues
• Federal moneys from the Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving
Fund and the Expense Reimbursement Grant
Staff
• Certification Program Coordinator
• Administrative Secretary
• File Clerk/Receptionist
Operator Certification Board
Board
• Operator of the highest class representing certified operators –
Recommended by the Tennessee Water and Wastewater
Association
• Operator representing certified operators – Recommended by the
Tennessee Association of Utility Districts
• Representing Municipal Government – Recommended by the
Tennessee Municipal League
• Representing University Faculty – Recommended by the Tennessee
Society of Professional Engineers
• Ex-Officio member – Manager of Quality Assurance and
Enforcement for the Division of Water Supply and representing the
Department of Environment and Conservation
Operator Certification Board
Current Board Members
• Alan Cranford – Chair
• Darryl Green
• Randal Braker
• Dr. Larry Moore
• Sherwin Smith – Ex-Officio member (Representing the TDEC)
Examinations
• Examinations have Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) and
Tennessee questions
• Initial development guidelines from the Tennessee Need to Know
(NTK) criteria
– Approximately 75% ABC, 25% Tennessee
– ABC - Process, Operations, Maintenance, General, Procedures,
Data Interpretation, Public Health, Science, Safety and Rules
– Tennessee – Math and Rules (to include ethics)
Examinations
ABC questions are written at three levels of knowledge (i.e.,
comprehension, application, analysis)
• Comprehension is the most basic level of understanding and
remembering. Items written at the comprehension level require
examinees to recognize, remember, or identify important ideas
• Items written at the application level require examinees to interpret,
calculate, predict, use or apply information and solve problems
• Items written at the analysis level require examinees to compare,
contrast, diagnose, examine, analyze, and relate important concepts
Examinations
• Need to Know is based upon specific certification
– Knowledge required of an operator
– Subject matter and understanding of each classification
– Certify knowledge of subject matter
• Process
– Biological, chemical processes
– Machinery or equipment actions or functions
• Operations
– Activities
– Exercise judgment
– Take action to affect processes
– Plant design and plant construction
Examinations
• Maintenance
– Preventative, routine and emergency
– Troubleshooting and problem identification
• General
– Basic knowledge
• Procedures
– Lab
– Industry procedure
• Data Interpretation
– Received
– Analyzed
– Acted upon
Examinations
• Public Health
– Impact on public health
– Laws
– Rules and regulations
– Quality control
– Compliance
• Math – Use of Mathematics Formula Booklet
– Basic operations
– Graphs
– Tables
– Formulas
– Conversions
Examinations
• Science
– Basic science
– Biology
– Chemistry
– Microbiology
• Safety
– Recommended or required safety practice
– Identification categories, procedures and violations
– Description categories, procedures and violations
• Rules
– Federal rules (USEPA)
– State rules (TDEC)
• To include ethics
Water Treatment/Distribution
SWS
WT1
WT2
WT3
WT4
DS1
DS2
Examinees
18
3
12
40
30
33
46
11/2/1995
Passing
13
0
1
8
13
7
20
Total
182
62
SWS
WT1
WT2
WT3
WT4
DS1
DS2
Examinees
4
2
16
40
42
14
81
11/3/2011
Passing
4
2
6
20
26
9
57
Total
199
124
% Pass Examinees
72%
19
0%
4
8%
19
20%
54
43%
43
21%
37
43%
61
34%
5/2/1996
Passing
15
1
2
19
17
13
36
237
103
% Pass Examinees
100%
6
100%
3
38%
14
50%
36
62%
38
64%
14
70%
86
5/3/2012
Passing
6
0
7
13
19
10
57
62%
197
112
11/7/1996
Passing
21
0
2
15
11
16
26
% Pass
81%
0%
14%
27%
29%
44%
48%
230
91
40%
% Pass Examinees
100%
8
0%
1
50%
11
36%
33
50%
36
71%
14
66%
69
11/1/2012
Passing
8
1
2
5
10
7
24
% Pass
100%
100%
18%
15%
28%
50%
35%
57
33%
% Pass Examinees
79%
26
25%
6
11%
14
35%
56
40%
38
35%
36
59%
54
43%
57%
172
Wastewater Treatment/Collection
BNS
WW1
WW2
WW3
WW4
CS1
CS2
Examinees
9
13
7
28
20
20
35
11/2/1995
Passing
0
2
0
4
1
7
14
Total
132
28
BNS
WW1
WW2
WW3
WW4
CS1
CS2
Examinees
9
5
1
36
25
10
67
11/3/2011
Passing
7
4
0
17
17
8
41
Total
153
94
% Pass Examinees
0%
12
15%
8
0%
10
14%
20
5%
30
35%
18
40%
28
21%
5/2/1996
Passing
5
1
5
6
12
12
10
126
51
% Pass Examinees
78%
4
80%
7
0%
5
47%
26
68%
29
80%
13
61%
66
5/3/2012
Passing
3
4
3
0
3
8
28
61%
150
49
11/7/1996
Passing
6
4
4
12
8
6
10
% Pass
75%
31%
36%
40%
32%
43%
30%
134
50
37%
% Pass Examinees
75%
6
57%
2
60%
2
0%
28
10%
24
62%
8
42%
46
11/1/2012
Passing
3
1
0
1
3
5
18
% Pass
50%
50%
0%
4%
13%
63%
39%
31
27%
% Pass Examinees
42%
8
13%
13
50%
11
30%
30
40%
25
67%
14
36%
33
40%
33%
116
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
Exam Pass Rate Comparisons
November 1, 2012 Exam
Pass Rate Per Education Level
November 1, 2012 Exam
SWS
WT1
WT2
WT3
WT4
DS1
DS2
HS/GED
Pass
Fail
2
1
1
1
4
5
18
0
0
7
25
10
5
38
TECH/ASSOC
Pass
Fail
1
0
1
1
4
1
1
0
0
1
1
2
2
2
BACHELOR
Pass
Fail
4
0
0
2
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
12
0
2
ADVANCED
Pass
Fail
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pass Rate Per Education Level
November 1, 2012 Exam
BNS
WW1
WW2
WW3
WW4
CS1
CS2
HS/GED
Pass
Fail
2
1
0
0
2
4
16
2
1
2
19
13
3
24
TECH/ASSOC
Pass
Fail
0
0
0
7
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
BACHELOR
Pass
Fail
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
4
0
0
ADVANCED
Pass
Fail
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Certification Training Questionnaire
November 1, 2012
Grade
Exam
Taken
(# taking
Exam)
Percent
without
Any
Course
Percent
with
Cram
Course
Only
Percent
with
Cram
Course
and
Other
Courses
Percent
with
Other
Courses
Only
Number
of
Courses
Taken
Majority
of Study
Time
WT 1 (8)
0
0
10
100
0-3
41-100
WT 2 (1)
9
9
54
27
0-8
41-100
WT 3 (11)
12
18
48
15
0-8
21-100+
WT 4 (36)
13
16
50
16
0-8
21-100
DS 1 (14)
21
57
28
14
0-2
41-100
DS 2 (69)
15
52
39
26
0-7
41-100
Certification Training Questionnaire
November 1, 2012
Grade
Exam
Taken
(# taking
Exam)
Percent
without
Any
Course
Percent
with
Cram
Course
Only
Percent
with
Cram
Course
and
Other
Courses
Percent
with
Other
Courses
Only
Number
of
Courses
Taken
Majority
of Study
Time
(Hours)
BNS (6)
0
16
10
83
1-2
10-20
WW 1 (2)
50
0
50
0
0-2
21-100
WW 2 (2)
0
100
0
0
0
41-100
WW 3 (28)
10
10
32
42
0-12
100+
WW 4 (24)
8
20
37
33
0-6
41-100
CS 1 (8)
12
75
66
38
0-5
41-100
CS 2 (46)
20
54
32
24
0-3
41-100
Certification Training Questionnaire
November 1, 2012
Passed
Failed
Tested Before
12.5%
39.5%
Taken Courses and Cram Course
62.5%
31.5%
Taken Other Courses Only
23.5%
66.2%
Taken Cram Course Only
12.5%
17.0%
Post Secondary Education
26.3%
10.0%
Study Time
Majority 41 – 100+ Hours
Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery
November 1, 2012
Water Treatment
Distribution System
1.
Collect Samples
1.
Administration
2.
Evaluate Equipment
2.
Disinfection
3.
Lab Process Control
3.
Maintain Equipment
4.
Monitor Evaluate Adjust Filtration
4.
Operate Equipment
5.
Monitor Evaluate Adjust Other
5.
System Inspection
Top 5 Areas of Non Mastery
November 1, 2012
Wastewater Treatment
Collection System
1.
Evaluate Equipment
1.
Evaluate Equipment
2.
Monitor Eval Adj Tertiary Treatment
2.
Maintain & Restore System
3.
Perform Lab Analysis
3.
Maintain Equipment
4.
Secondary Treatment
4.
Monitor Evaluate Adjust System
5.
Solids Handling
5.
Operate Equipment
Key Points for the Taking the Exam
•
•
•
•
•
Requires dedication of study time in addition to classes
Attend multiple classes to better prepare
Utilize Operator Certification Study Guide as resource
Passing does not require a BS or higher degree
Textbook Reference List located on Fleming Training Center
website
• ABC has been involved in the Tennessee Certification Program
since 1978 to some degree
Textbook Reference List
Suggested Water Treatment Exam References
Old References
Water Treatment
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
SUPPLEMENTAL
Water Treatment , Principles and
Practices of Water Supply
Operations, Second Edition,
American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1995.
Cross-Connection Control Manual,
State of Tennessee, Department of
Health and Environment, Division
of Water Supply, Nashville, 1988
Guidance Manual for Determination
of Disinfectant Content Time & CT
Requirements for Public Water
Systems, State of Tennessee,
Department
of
Health
and
Environment, Division of Water
Supply, July 1991.
Regulations for Public Water
Systems and Drinking Water
Quality, State of Tennessee,
Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Water
Supply, January 1994.
Occupational Safety and Health
Standards for General Industry (29
CFR Part 1910), U.S. Department of
Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, Commerce
Clearinghouse, Inc., Chicago, 1993,
#1910.1200,
Operation and Maintenance of
Wastewater Collection Systems,
Vol.1, 4th ed., California State
University, Sacramento, 1993.
Basic Science Concepts and
Applications , Principles and
Practices of Water Supply
Operations, Second Edition ,
American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1995.
Standard Methods for Examination
of Water & Wastewater, 18th ed.,
American Public Health
Association, Washington, DC, 1992.
Operator Certification Study Guide,
4th Ed., American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1993.
Community Public Water Systems
Design Criteria, State of Tennessee,
Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Water
Supply, 1991.
Water Fluoridation - A Manual for
Water Plant Operators, U.S.
Department of Health and Human
Services, Public Health Service,
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Atlanta, April 1994.
The following are approved as reference sources for the ABC water treatment examinations. Operators should use the latest edition of
these reference sources to prepare for the exam.
Textbooks
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Web site: www.awwa.org
Principles and Practices of Water Supply Operations Series:





Water Sources
Water Treatment
Water Transmission and Distribution
Water Quality
Basic Science Concepts and Applications
Other AWWA References:


Water Quality and Treatment
Water System Security, A Field Guide
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and National Rural Water Association (NRWA)
www.asdwa.org (available online in PDF format;

Web site:
Security Vulnerability Self Assessment Guide for Small Drinking Water Systems
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Foundation, Office of Water Programs
(www.owp.csus.edu)
Water Sources , Principles and
Practices of Water Supply
Operations, Second Edition
American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1995.
Water Treatment Plant Operation,
Vol. 1, 3rd ed., California State
University, Sacramento, 1992.
Water Quality , Principles and
Practices of Water Supply
Operations, Second Edition,
American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1995.
Water Treatment Plant Operation,
Vol. 2, 2nd ed., California State
University, Sacramento, 1993.
Water Transmission and
Distribution, Principles and
Practices of Water Supply
Operations, Second Edition, ,
American Water Works
Association, Denver, 1995.
Water Treatment Plant Laboratory
Manual
for
Chemical
and
Microbiological Analyses, State of
Tennessee, Department of Public
Health, Division of Water Quality
Control, Nashville, TN.


Water Treatment Plant Operation, Volumes I and II
Manage for Success
Regulations

Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 141 (www.gpo.gov)

Community Public Water Systems Design Criteria, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of
Water Supply, Nashville, 2008.

Regulations for Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Quality, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and
Conservation, Division of Water Supply, Nashville. June 2009.

Rules Governing Water and Wastewater Operator Certification, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and
Conservation, Board of Certification for Water and Wastewater Operators, Nashville, TN, December 2009, Section 1200-5-3.
Study Guides
American Water Works Association, Operator Certification Study Guide: A Guide to Preparing for
Water Treatment and Distribution Operator Certification Exams (www.awwa.org)
Approved by Board September 27, 2012
Textbook Reference List
Suggested Distribution System Exam References
The following are approved as reference sources for the distribution examinations. Operators should use the latest edition of these reference
sources to prepare for the exam.
Textbooks
American Water Works Association (AWWA)






www.awwa.org
Water Transmission and Distribution
Water Distribution Operator Training Handbook
Basic Science Concepts and Applications
Water System Security, A Field Guide
Water Quality
AWWA Standard for Installation of Ductile-Iron Water Mains and Their Appurtenances (ANSI/AWWA C600-93),
Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and National Rural Water Association (NRWA)

www.asdwa.org
Security Vulnerability Self Assessment Guide for Small Drinking Water Systems
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Foundation, Office of Water Programs (www.owp.csus.edu)



Water Distribution System Operation and Maintenance
Small Water System Operation and Maintenance
Manage for Success
Regulations
 Code of Federal Regulations, Labor (CFR 29), Part 1926 (www.gpo.gov)
 Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40 Part 141, www.gpo.gov)
 Community Public Water Systems Design Criteria, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply,
Nashville, 2008.
 Regulations for Public Water Systems and Drinking Water Quality, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, Division
of Water Supply, Nashville. June 2009.
 Rules Governing Water and Wastewater Operator Certification, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, Board of
Certification for Water and Wastewater Operators, Nashville, TN, December 2009, Section 1200-5-3.
Study Guides
American Water Works Association: Operator Certification Study Guide, Fifth Edition: A Guide to Preparing for Water Treatment and Distribution
Operator Certification Exams.
Approved by Board September 27, 2012
Textbook Reference List
OLD REFERENCES
GRADE III AND IV WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
SUPPLEMENTAL
Advanced Waste Treatment 2nd ed.,
California State University, Sacramento,
1993.
Activated Sludge: Manual of Practice
No. OM-9, Water Pollution Control
Federation, Alexandria, VA, 1987.
Design Manual: Odor and Corrosion
Control in Sanitary Sewerage Systems
and Treatment Plants (EPA/625/185/018), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Research and
Development, Center for Environmental
Research Information, Cincinnati, OH,
October 1985.
Applied Math for Wastewater Plant
Operators, Price, Joanne Kiirkpatrick,
Technomic
Publishing
Company,
Lancaster, PA, 1991.
Industrial Waste Treatment, Vol. 1, 2nd
ed.,
California
State
University,
Sacramento, 1994.
Manual of Water Supply Practices:
Safety Practices for Water Utilities
(AWWA #M3), 5th ed., American Water
Works Association, Denver, CO, 1990.
Design Criteria for Sewage Works, State
of Tennessee, Department of Health and
Environment, Division of Water Pollution
Control, Nashville, April 1989.
Operation
and
Maintenance
of
Wastewater Collection Systems, Vol. 1,
4th ed., California State University,
Sacramento, 1993, p. 352.
Performance Evaluation and
Troubleshooting at Municipal
Wastewater Treatment Facilities Field
Manual MO-16 (EPA/430-9-78-001),
Culp, Gordon L. and Helm, Nancy Folks.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Water Program Operations,
Washington, DC, January 1978.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) Permit, State of
Tennessee, Department of Environment
and Conservation, Division of Water
Pollution Control, Nashville, TN, 1977.
Operation
and
Maintenance
of
Wastewater Collection Systems, Vol. 2,
4th ed., California State UniUniversity, ac
Sacramento, 1993.
Operation of Wastewater Treatment
Plants, Vol. 1, 4th ed., California State
University, Sacramento, 1992.
Operation of Municipal Wastewater
Treatment Plants, Manual of Practice
No. 11, Vol. II, Liquid Processes, 2nd ed.,
Water Pollution Control Federation,
Alexandria, VA, 1990.
Operation of Wastewater Treatment
Plants, Vol. 2, 4th ed., California State
University, Sacramento, 1993.
Rules Governing Water and Wastewater
Operator
Certification,
State
of
Tennessee, Department of Environment
and Conservation, Board of Certification
for Water and Wastewater Operators,
Nashville, TN, December 1984, Section
1200-5-3.
Suggested Wastewater Treatment Exam References
The following are approved as reference sources for the wastewater treatment examinations. Operators should use the latest
edition of these reference sources to prepare for the exam.
Textbooks
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Foundation, Office of Water Programs
(www.owp.csus.edu)
 Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume I and II
 Advanced Waste Treatment
 Manage for Success
National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities (NETCSC)
 Protecting Your Community's Assets: A Guide for Small Wastewater Systems
A PDF version of this guide is available from: www.nesc.wvu.edu/training.cfm
Water Environment Federation (www.wef.org)
 Operation of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants - Manual of Practice No. 11
 Activated Sludge - Manual of Practice OM-9.
Regulations

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment
and Conservation, Division of Water Pollution Control, Nashville, TN, 1977.

Design Criteria for Sewage Works, State of Tennessee, Department of Health and Environment, Division of Water
Pollution Control, Nashville, 1995.

Rules Governing Water and Wastewater Operator Certification, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and
Conservation, Board of Certification for Water and Wastewater Operators, Nashville, TN, December 2009, Section
1200-5-3.

State of Tennessee Water Quality Standards, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation,
Division of Water Pollution Control, Nashville, TN, December 1991, Section 1200-4-3.

Protection of Environment, (40 CFR Part 136), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

Applied Math for Wastewater Plant Operators. Price, Joanne. 2000. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (www.crcpress.com)

WEF/ABC Wastewater Operators’ Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination, Water Environment Federation,
(www.wef.org)
Study Guides
Updated September 27, 2012
Textbook Reference List
Suggested Collection System Exam References
The following are approved as reference sources for the collection examinations. Operators should use the latest edition of these reference
sources to prepare for the exam.
Textbooks
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) Foundation, Office of Water Programs (www.owp.csus.edu)
 Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Volume I and II
 Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems, Volume I and II
 Manage for Success
Water Environment Federation (www.wef.org)
 Operation of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants - Manual of Practice No. 11
 Existing Sewer Evaluation and Rehabilitation - Manual of Practice FD-6
 Wastewater Collection Systems Management - Manual of Practice No. 7
Regulations
 Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40 (www.gpo.gov).
 Design Criteria for Sewage Works, State of Tennessee, Department of Health and Environment, Division of Water Pollution Control, Nashville,
1995.
 Rules Governing Water and Wastewater Operator Certification, State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation, Board of
Certification for Water and Wastewater Operators, Nashville, TN, December 2009, Section 1200-5-3.
Study Guides
 WEF/ABC Collection Systems Operator’s Guide to Preparing for the Certification Examination, Water Environment Federation, (www.wef.org).
 Applied Math for Wastewater Plant Operators, Price, Joanne. 2000. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press (www.crcpress.com).
Biggest Issues Before the Board
•
•
•
•
•
Extension of time to replace certified operator
Extension of time to acquire continuing education
Receipt of application after deadline
Receipt of renewal payment late
New certification exam
General Notes
• Online Services
– Renew your Operators Certificate*
– View Continuing Education Status
– Update your Personal Information
• 2013 Exam Application Deadlines
– March 2, 2013
– September 7, 2013
• 2013 Exam Dates
– May 2, 2013
– November 7, 2013
*Go to http://www.tn.gov/environment/fleming/online
Questions