Reclaimed Water operators attend important training

Four operators gain advanced skills needed for next level of certification

SPARTANBURG, SC – Spartanburg Water Reclaimed Water Treatment sent four operators to Central Carolina Technical College’s Environmental Training Center Biological Wastewater Short School. Short Schools are intensive training sessions designed as a comprehensive overview for operators of wastewater treatment facilities who are preparing for the state certification exam. All four operators passed various Biological Wastewater Treatment Operator Exams and will advance to the next level of certification. One of the operators will advance to a “B” level certification while the other three are moving up from trainee status to “D” level certifications.

A wastewater treatment operator begins his duties as a trainee and after one year in that capacity, is eligible to take an exam, and after passing it, is awarded “D” level certification. The individual may continue with the process, gaining practical experience and taking exams until the desired certification level is achieved, with “A” being the highest certification. Obtaining the proper certification is a requirement of SCDHEC to operate biological wastewater treatment systems.

“This training and certification improves the response time for operational situations by having a more efficient and capable workforce,” said Reclaimed Water Treatment Director Ken Tuck. “This saves us capital and ensures environmental compliance. Having well-trained operators displays our commitment to the environment and our customers.”

Spartanburg Water also has several operators working toward the Biosolids System Operators Voluntary Certification. This voluntary certification program is a tiered professional licensing program much like the mandatory certification program for Biological Wastewater System Operators. Biosolid system operators must first achieve an Operator in Training (OIT) by completing the WEASC BioSolids and Residual Management Workshop and completing the OIT application form. After one year of working in a biosolids and residual management program, the OIT is eligible to take the licensing exam and upon successful completion (a score of 70 or above), obtains his or her license.

Once an individual is licensed in biosolids, they must obtain six (6) hours of continuing education training annually to maintain their license status, along with annually renewing their certification through the Voluntary Certification Program.

The utility’s RWT department has the following number of operators at each level:

“A” Level – nine

“B” Level – one

“C” Level – two

“D” Level – four

“We encourage all of our operators to achieve the voluntary biosolids system operator’s certification,” said Joshua Smith, Reclaimed Water Treatment Manager.

About Spartanburg Water

Spartanburg Water, an award-winning utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of more than 180,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of more than 250 employees, each day it produces an average of 30 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 12 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community. For more information on Spartanburg Water’s water quality efforts, visit us at spartanburgwater.org.