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12876: Wastewater conference evaluation
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Wastewater conference evaluation

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In Minnesota, wastewater treatment operators — those responsible for the daily, onsite operation of wastewater facilities and collection systems — must be certified. Their class of certification must be equal or higher to the class of the facility. The MPCA administers the certification program and provides workshops and conferences to help you stay up to date on your certification.

Treatment facilities are classified A, B, C, and D according to a rated point system based on the unit processes, loading to the plant, and the permit's final effluent limitations

Type S systems — collection, pumping, and conveyance facilities distinctly separate in operation from treatment facilities — are classified S-A, S-B, S-C, and S-D based on the community's population. Where a type S facility is not distinctly separate, it is considered part of the treatment facility.

  • Class S-A: serving a population of 50,000 or more
  • Class S-B: serving a population of 15,000 to 49,999
  • Class S-C: serving a population of 1,500 to 14,999
  • Class S-D: serving a population of less than 1,500

Note: A city manager, superintendent of public works, or other administrator is not considered an operator unless their duties include the day-to-day operation of a wastewater facility.

12876: Wastewater training and exam events
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Wastewater training and exams

Find upcoming trainings and exams through the events calendar.

Course descriptions

MPCA wastewater courses cover basic and refresher content for a variety of topics. Course competencies require fundamental math skills along with a basic understanding of using a scientific calculator to perform essential math problems. Math instruction provided during the courses will cover a brief review of basic math concepts and an overview of methods used to solve wastewater math problems. MPCA wastewater courses do not provide in-depth math instruction and the courses are not a substitute for GED-level math skills (e.g. order of operations and basic algebra). Attendees wanting or needing review of basic math skills may want to take advantage of online tutorials such as Khan Academy or MATHhelp. These are just two examples. Others are available online to cater to various needs and learning styles.

Course attendees are responsible for bringing and knowing how to use their own scientific calculator capable of performing basic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and complex (square root, exponent) operations. This is required equipment for most MPCA training events and for all wastewater exams.

Programmable (graphing) calculators and phones (smartphones) are not allowed during an exam. The MPCA does not have calculators to borrow or loan to attendees. Scientific calculators can be purchased at a wide variety of retailers (locally and online) for under $15. Please plan to bring your own calculator to MPCA wastewater courses.

Instructors will provide additional math help/assistance at the end of the first two days for all 16-hour training events. These additional help sessions are provided for attendees who want or need extra opportunities to practice solving common math-related problems.

Collection system basic seminar

Intended for entry-level operators or as a refresher for experienced operators. Covers proper operation and maintenance of wastewater collection systems. Topics include inflow/infiltration, lift stations, collection system cleaning, traffic control, safety, collection system math, and more. Exams offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.

Exam refresher sessions (A/B and SA/SB, C/D and SC/SD) 

Exam refreshers are offered to help wastewater operators refresh their basic knowledge about need-to-know content required by law. Please acknowledge a 16-hour refresher seminar cannot replace months or years of experience-based learning and/or independent study of wastewater industry need-to-know qualifications.

Exam refreshers will also provide opportunities to practice solving common math-related problems such as pump calibration, geometric mean, discharge math, converting units, using common formulas, calculating loading, calculating food-to-mass ratio, and calculating volume, area, velocity, and perimeter. Exam refresher instructors will focus on need-to-know content when offering examples and demonstrations during exam refresher sessions.

Exam refresher sessions are not offered to rehearse or memorize how to answer wastewater exam questions and they do not provide attendees with correct answers for specific exam questions.  

You must pre-register to attend exam refresher sessions. Attendees enrolled in an exam refresher session must bring a pencil and a nonprogrammable calculator. Smartphones and programmable calculators are not allowed during the exam. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.

One-day pump workshop

Recommended for those who operate, maintain, or troubleshoot pumps. Covers pump maintenance, packing, seals, bearings, control panels, troubleshooting, and a hands-on session. No exams. Contact hours: 6 Wastewater. This workshop is only offered as an in-person event.

Stabilization pond seminar

A must for all stabilization pond operators. Covers pond design, operation and maintenance, discharge procedures and calculations, pump calibration, dissolved oxygen and pH meter demonstrations, and troubleshooting. In-person seminars may also include a field trip to a stabilization pond. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.

Type IV (land application) basic course

This course is required for those who want to become certified as Type IV operator or inspector. Covers site selection, application rates, nitrogen management, reports, field analysis of potential sites, verification of site/soils data, and management problems. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Type IV or 16 Wastewater.

Type IV (land application) refresher course

Recommended for operators and inspectors who need to renew their Type IV certificate or who need a refresher. Reviews land-application management procedures, including elements of the basic course. Topics include site suitability, application rates, permitting requirements, and waste management. This training event also offers the option to attend an all-day breakout session focused on industrial byproducts, which is for Type IV operators who land apply industrial wastes, including food processing, industrial wastewater sludge, pretreatment sludge, and more. Typically offered every year as an in-person event and as an online webinar. No exam. Contact hours: 6 Type IV or 6 Wastewater.

Type V (spray irrigation) basic seminar

Training is offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota. Recommended for entry-level spray irrigation operators or as a review for experienced spray operators. Topics covered include permit certification requirements, goals of land treatment, crop management, loading calculations, operations, and monitoring. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater or 16 Type V.

Type V (spray irrigation) refresher

This one-day refresher is offered in partnership with the University of Minnesota. Recommended for spray irrigation operators who want to review permit certification requirements, essential goals and objectives of land treatment, crop management, loading calculations, operations, and monitoring. No exam. Contact hours: 6 Wastewater or 6 Type V.

Wastewater facility operations and collection systems conference

This 2½ day annual conference includes facility operation and collection system topics, a plenary session, and a keynote speaker. Breakout sessions cover a wide variety of priority topics for the entire industry. The conference also offers a trade show showcasing products, services, and new technology. Vendors are available at each booth to meet with attendees and answer questions. Network with colleagues and learn about all that’s new or evolving in the wastewater industry. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.

Wastewater treatment basic

A basic- to intermediate-level course geared toward the proper operation and maintenance of biological wastewater treatment facilities. Covers wastewater terminology, secondary treatment types, wastewater math, sampling process and procedures, reporting, safety, and more. This course is intended for entry-level operators or as a refresher for experienced operators. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.

Wastewater training accreditation

If your organization offers wastewater operations training and would like to be accredited to offer training to Minnesota operators, you must apply to the MPCA. To receive training program approval prior to the course, submit the form to the MPCA at least 60 days before the training event.

Certification exams

Certification exams are offered at MPCA training seminars on the last day of class. Eligibility is determined by experience and/or education requirements. Exam applications must be received 15 days prior to the exam along with the exam fee, a description of your job duties, your length of service, name, and supervisor's phone number. If you are substituting educational experience for operating experience, submit a copy of a college diploma or other proof of school attendance or graduation.

All exams are closed book. You will be given a formula book. Bring a non-programmable calculator (no smartphones) and a No. 2 pencil. A passing grade is 70 out of 100. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after three months. We can identify the topics of incorrect answers, upon request, to help you focus your areas of study. You can review your exam if you submit a request within 60 days of notification of the results.

The agency will notify you if you pass the exam. Then you must submit the $45 certification fee within 90 days to become certified. If you don't submit the fee within 90 days, you must apply for re-examination.

Certificates expire three years after being issued. During that time the following contact training hours must be met for renewal:

  • Class A and S-A = 32 hours
  • Class B and S-B = 24 hours
  • Class C and S-C = 16 hours
  • Class D and S-D = 8 hours
  • Type IV = 6 hours
  • Type V = 6 hours

Need to know

Need to know criteria can help wastewater and collection system operators understand the basic skills necessary to operate a system or run a plant.

Exam dates

Forms and resources

Registration

US Bank charges a service fee of 2.15% for all credit card transactions or 1.25% for each debit card transaction. A separate non-refundable service fee or flat fee will be displayed on your credit card statement, in addition to the MPCA-charged training fee.

Online registration is not available at this time.

Other training providers and resources