In Summer 2000, The Operator Certification Program Office (OCPO) was formed by the dedicated volunteers from Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Professionals, now known as Colorado Environmental Certification and Testing, Inc. (CECTI) and the 22-year-old Colorado Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems Certification Council, in conjunction with Total Event And Management Services, Inc. (TEAMS).
The Mission of OCPO is to facilitate the Certification Application Process using the traditional methods of mail and fax, as well as to advance the process to the highest technological level possible today.
The initial Training Unit Application process is also managed by OCPO and is available to Trainers via they Internet as well. In this way, OCPO is doing its part in the timely approval of Training Units and bringing these training opportunities to the Water Professionals of Colorado as quickly as possible.
Colorado Environmental Certification and Testing, Inc:
Colorado Environmental Certification and Testing, Incorporated (CECTI) was established as a non-profit organization on January 17, 2001. Its formation was the culmination of the efforts of three parent organizations: the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association (RMSAWWA), the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA), and the Colorado Rural Water Association (CRWA). The non-profit was formed with the sole purpose of administering the water and wastewater treatment facilities operators certification program for the State of Colorado.
Each of the parent organizations appointed three persons to sit on the CECTI board for a three-year term. The terms are staggered to minimize the impact of turnover and to maintain continuity at terms end. The collective background of the current board includes experience in operations, maintenance, management, engineering and regulatory oversight. The Board members have the perspective of both large and small systems.
CECTI entered into an agreement with the State of Colorado via the Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (WWFOCB) on February 12, 2001 to administer the treatment plant operators certification program beginning with the fall 2001 exam cycle.
Colorado Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems Certification Council:
In November of 1978, the Colorado Plant Operators Certification Board took steps to gather together a group of water and wastewater professionals who were interested in setting up a voluntary certification program for distribution and collection systems personnel. These people represented municipalities and special water and sanitation districts. The program is geared for the field employees in water distribution and wastewater collection systems. The program became a mandatory program in 2001 when federally mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
In May of 1981, the first certification exams were held in Boulder, Colorado. In November of 1981, the first annual "Short School" was conducted at the University of Colorado in Boulder immediately prior to the second set of certification exams. The Certification Council incorporated under the "Colorado Water and Wastewater Systems Certification Council, Inc." in November of 1982 and have actively tested and certified qualified operators since the first exam in 1981.
