Collection System Maintenance Certification

Central San team members, photo by Joe Zumbo

Wastewater Collections Operators are employed by municipal agencies and City Public Works Departments and are responsible for skilled tasks in the construction, maintenance, and repair of sewer systems.

These professionals inspect, clean, maintain, construct, and repair wastewater collection systems including sanitary sewers, storm drains, pump stations, pipes, manholes and catch basins.

They operate a variety of light and moderately heavy power driven equipment. They play a critical role in the community, ensuring public health and safety by preventing and/or responding to sewage overflows and blockages.

Reasons to Get CWEA Certified

Our extensive CWEA Technical Certification Program is built around your major career
milestones, serving as a roadmap to achieving your professional goals. Trusted by more than 6,000 wastewater professionals, CWEA’s certification program provides assurance of professional competency, training, and safe work practices.

Many California wastewater agencies use CWEA’s certifications of professional competence as part of their hiring and promotional process, and some will require CWEA certification for employment.

Several agencies provide a pay bump when you achieve CWEA certification and additional incentives as you move-up to higher grade levels. Be sure to ask your employer about incentives.

Benefits of Certification

The benefits of certification include:

1. Prove your competency
2. Accelerate your career
3. Advance the industry
4. Meet industry standards
5. Become an expert

CWEA is proud to offer certification programs for wastewater professionals across California’s vast wastewater industry. Each program includes increasingly advanced Grade options that demonstrate your mastery of new skills to unlock new opportunities. Many wastewater professionals collect multiple certifications to demonstrate to employers they are willing to master new skills and are ready for promotion.

CWEA offers voluntary certifications for wastewater professionals. The State Water Board operates a program providing mandatory certifications for drinking water and wastewater operators. To learn more visit the State Water Board’s Office of Operator Certification website.

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