Ohio Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification: Phosphorus Reduction & NPDES Permitting
Certification Structure
Ohio EPA certifies wastewater treatment operators (called "water reclamation" operators under state rule) into five classes under OAC Chapter 3745-7:
- Class A — entry-level; 1,040 hours of operating experience or 3 years of qualifying work experience
- Class I through Class IV — increasing plant size and process complexity, with Class IV covering the state's largest, most complex water reclamation facilities
Classes are cumulative (a Class IV certificate qualifies the holder for Class III, II, I, and A facilities) and renew every 2 years.
NPDES Permitting and Discharge
Ohio wastewater plants discharge to the Ohio River, Lake Erie tributaries (Maumee, Cuyahoga, Sandusky rivers), and inland streams under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Sy