IEUA-CWEA-Alec

Inland Empire Utilites Agency Honored as Advanced Water Treatment Champions

During CWEA’s 2023 Annual Conference in San Diego we honored the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) as one of the original champions for the Advanced Water Treatment Operator™ certification program.

Support from their agency and team members in 2018-2019 directly led to this successful program. Sue Mosburg, CA-NV AWWA Executive Director, and Jenn Jones, CWEA Executive Director/CEO both presented the award to the team from IEUA.

Representatives from CA-NV AWWA and CWEA visited IEUA’s headquarters in Chino this February to also present the award to their Board of Directors (pictured above).

“It’s with great pride we stand before you today to present the Inland Empire Utilities Agency with the prestigious Advanced Water Treatment Champion Award,” said Chuck Greely, President of CWEA and a principal for Dudek Engineering, during February’s awards presentation in Chino. “As we peer into an uncertain future, one thing remains crystal clear: our region’s water supply hangs in the balance. IEUA’s visionary Chino Basin Program and the Advanced Water Purification Facility will help maximize every drop of water.”

We applaud IEUA’s unyielding dedication to navigating a complex regulatory landscape, managing intricate technical challenges, supporting staff training, and meticulous planning.

The resounding success of the AWTO certification program shines through with the issuance of over 200 certifications,” noted Sue Mosburg, the Executive Director for the California-Nevada section of AWWA. “We are grateful for IEUA’s early support of the program, you have helped over 20 operators become AWTO certified and with us today, we are honored to have 11 Advanced Water Treatment Operators. We ask everyone to join us in celebrating their achievements.”

Sal Ochoa

At the 2023 CWEA Awards Ceremony the AWTO Champions award was presented to IEUA. (l-r) CWEA President Chuck Greely; Scott Lening, IEUA’s Manager of Operations; Lucia Fuertez Diaz, IEUA’s Manager of Facility Water System Program; and Aimeé Kileen, WEF President Elect. Photo by Sal Ochoa.

Chino Basin Program

The Chino Basin Program is a multi-agency effort to construct an Advanced Water Purification Facility and groundwater injection facilities to maximize the use of recycled water.

It is a first-of-its-kind water program that moves beyond traditional water management practices to achieve new levels of water security, flexibility, and affordability. The CBP is led by IEUA and made possible through the collaboration and participation of its Regional Agencies and partners

About AWTO Certification

As California and Nevada seek to secure sustainable water resources, all of us working together allows us to rapidly build critical programs such as AWT Operator certification. We have issued 158 certifications so far, ensuring a steady supply of AWTO® professionals ready to serve their communities by operating advanced water treatment facilities.

Drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reuse operators with a Grade 3 or higher certification and working at facilities using advanced water treatment technologies may be interested in earning the new, voluntary AWTO Certification. AWT Operators protect public health by ensuring a safe and reliable supply of high-quality drinking water from advanced facilities. Learn more at awtoperator.org.


 

Regular Update: Mastery Summary Report, Grade 3 Exams as of June 2022

Click to open a larger version

This report is a mastery summary report compiled by our computer based testing provider PSI.  The data is for the Advanced Water Treatment Operator Grade 3 Exam, and is cumulative data covering the period July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022.

The AWT Operator Joint Coordinating Committee aims to provide as much information as possible to our stakeholders, including exam applicants, trainers, and our agency partners. The JCC is working on a standard for regular updates of this report, please watch this site for future updates.

 

 

Congratulations to the 100+ AWTO Certified Operators

Hardhats off to these outstanding operators who are the first group to become AWTO certified

List of certified AWT Operators as of September 2022. For the most up-to-date AWTO® list, please visit the CA-NV AWWA website > Credential Look-up page.

AWT3s

Aaron Old
Andrew Lee
Andy Pierson
Antonio Mendoza
Augustine Tijerina
Barry Ayers
Breanne Padilla
Chad Steinlicht
Chander Letulle
Christopher Patacsil
Christopher Winn
Cornelia Koch
Curtis Bowles
Daniel Cotter, Jr.
Daniel Jacquez
Daniel Staines
Daryl Duty
David Morris
Dean Rauscher
Derek Esquivel
Dustin Valiquette
Eric O’Riley
Gail Mackey
Garon Goularte
Gerardo Soria
Gina Dorrington
Gregory Galindo
Helene Baribeau
Henry Zhang
Ignacio Rodriguez
Ian McDermott
Ivan Cheng
Jack Bebee
James Austin
Jameson Hill
Jasmine Diaz
Jason Wiltsey
Javier Robledo
Jerry Jahn
John Brixie
John Ferrara
John Abrera
Jonett Clay
Joseph Mueller
Joseph Anderson
Justin Regester
Kamaya Marlow
Keith Tanaka
Kenny Chau
Kirols Nashed
Kulwinder Singh
Linda Yebra
Manuel Moreno
Marc Ciarlo
Mark Lemus
Martin Soria
Matthew Baker
Matthew Birchett
Matthew Smith
Maureen Wagner
Michael Buhl
Michael Henke
Michael Rodriguez
Nathan Clark
Nathaniel Peckham
Neil Steiner
Nenad Sebez
Noel Rafalo
Patrick Hawley
Pavel Dimitrov
Ricardo Arguellez
Robert Keen
Robert Northcote
Rudy Guzman
Ryan Love
Ryan Jordan
Scott Lening
Shawn Alonzo
Sinzee Tran
Steven Bates
Steven Dishon
Thomas Hart
Tyler Lee
Tyson Enzweiler
Vijay Korisal
Virgilito Sevilla

AWT 4s

Adam Ly
Aviv Kolakovsky
Benjamin Garard
Henry Palechek
Christopher Waggener
Devin Bishop
Eric Gonzales
Jessey Cordero
Joshua Falos
Joshua Lopez
Ronald Lutge
Salvador Ayala, Jr.
Stephan Kozanda
Stephen Parker
Timothy O’Neal

AWT5s

Alan Jones
Chris Catlin
David Bradley
Elise Chen
Gerald Rhoads
Gregory Williams
Ian Tillery
John Carroll
Joseph Mueller
Joshua Smith
Jude Kiesewetter
Kevin Wahl
Ralph Valencia
Rodrigo Tackaert
Ronald Coss
Ryan Hughes
Steve Sato
Todd Millison

Now it’s your turn!

It’s time to get AWTO certified today.

Enter Today: Advanced Water Treatment Operator Photo Contest

We’re looking for individual or team photos with your advanced water treatment facility or an advanced system in the background.
We’ll enter your agency into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card, plus CWEA and CA-NV AWWA will feature your photos to promote the advanced water treatment profession. Entry deadline 3/31/22 11:59 p.m.

Enter and upload photos >

  1. We need images of operators at advanced water treatment facilities
  2. Submit up to three photos
  3. Types of photos we’re looking for
    1. Bonus points for each certified AWT Operator in the photo (let us know who)
  4. Well lit, good composition, in focus and high resolution photos
  5. Selfies are okay, for best composition we recommend asking someone else to take the photos.
  6. Photos submitted for this competition will be featured in AWTO promotional items (please see important criteria below)
  7. Sample images shown here

Prizes

    1. Grand prize – $100 Amazon gift card
    2. Honorary mentions – 5 photos

Timeline

  • Competition begins: November 3, 2021
  • Competition closes: 11:59 p.m., March 31, 2022

Criteria

  1. Submit up to three photos
  2. The photographs can be taken by anyone.
  3. Please let us know the name of the certified AWT Operator.
  4. Three photos and one entry per certified AWT Operator.
  5. The prize is a $100 Amazon gift card that will be digitally issued to the selected winner
  6. Only upload photos you or your organization own the copyright, please do not upload images that are copyrighted by someone else.
  7. Important note on photos submitted to CA-NV AWWA and CWEA: You’re granting permission to CWEA, CA-NV AWWA, our volunteer leaders and employees the irrevocable and unrestricted right to reproduce photographs for any lawful purpose including magazine publications, websites, signage, events, promotions, photo illustrations, and/or historical archives in any manner or in any medium selected by CWEA and CA-NV AWWA. You release CWEA, CA-NV AWWA and its representatives from liability for any violation or claims relating to the photos you are submitting.
  8. The AWTO Outreach work group will select one winning image and five images as honorable mentions.
  9. The decisions of the judges are final, CWEA and CA-NV AWWA reserve the right to change the rules as needed.
  10. Non-AWTO certified individuals, the AWTO Outreach work group, competition judges, CWEA and CA-NV AWWA employees,  and vendors are not eligible to enter this competition.
  11. Need more information? Please contact Alec Mackie, Director of Marketing and Communications, CWEA, 510.382.7800 x114
  12. CWEA and CA-NV AWWA are not responsible for technology failures, or other inability of entrants to enter due to technical malfunction. CWEA is not responsible for lost, late or misdirected mail or for printing errors.

California Water Associations Comment on Draft DPR Regulations

On June 24th, WateReuse California submitted comments on the Water Board’s draft Direct Potable Reuse regulations. The coalition letter included ACWA, CUWA, CA-NV Section of AWWA and CASA. WRCA developed these comments after holding a webcast and panel discussion in April to review the draft regulations and solicit comments.

A DPR Working Group was formed that assisted in the development of the final letter. In 2017 WRCA and California Coastkeepers Alliance co-sponsored AB 574 (Quirk), which requires the Water Board to develop DPR regulations by 2023.

Note: The State Water Board requested stakeholder feedback on the Addendum. The public comment period closed on June 25th.

From the comment letter…

Raw Water Augmentation (RWA) and Treated Water Augmentation (TWA)

  • DDW should consider a framework that balances the treatment, monitoring, and/or operational requirements to account for RWA benefits. This framework could draw off of the “toolbox” approach used in the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule that provides flexibility to take advantage of the site-specific elements that are available to a project.
  • We recommend that DDW develop criteria to identify the conditions that trigger revalidation studies and not make this a blanket requirement for all RWA water treatment plants. Requiring such studies of all surface water treatment plants seeking pathogen credit places an additional, high burden on RWA and may drive project sponsors to actively exclude their use. Greater clarity on the crediting of other barriers—such as small reservoirs and blending—would further help the industry consider and leverage the benefits of RWA.

Pathogen Control

  • We request that DDW work with the new DPR Expert Panel to identify the multiple layers of conservatism in the pathogen requirements and define the appropriate levels to achieve DDW’s daily risk goal for both RWA and TWA.

Chemical Control

  • We believe it would provide greater flexibility if DDW defined the performance requirements that they are seeking rather than requiring specific design criteria—e.g., ozone to TOC ratio or empty bed contact times (§64669.50(c)). For example, the IPR regulations require that advanced oxidation achieve 0.5-log reduction of 1,4-dioxane (a performance requirement) without specifying the technology
    (e.g., UV or ozone) or their required doses. A similar performance-based requirement for chemical control would make it easier to assess the equivalence of alternative options. We support performance requirements, such as the 1-log reduction of formaldehyde (§64669.50(c)), and ask DDW to specify any other requirements that would define equivalence for robust chemical control.
  • We suggest that DDW consider eliminating the 0.1 ppm TOC trigger while maintaining the remaining three triggers at their existing levels. project. Rather than reviewing the disparate results of quantitative risk assessments from multiple projects, the State Water
    Board may be better served by enlisting their Recycled Water CEC Expert Panel to provide guidance on chemical monitoring for DPR projects.
  • Rather than reviewing the disparate results of quantitative risk assessments from multiple projects, the State Water Board may be better served by enlisting their Recycled Water CEC Expert Panel to provide guidance on chemical monitoring for DPR projects.
  • We also oppose the requirement for online monitoring of the sewershed (§64669.40(d)(1)).

Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity

  • Given that water treatment plant operators have successfully protected public health using existing staffing and certifications, the presence of a new source water should not trigger the need for additional AWT5 certifications and 24/7 staffing requirements. These
    onerous operational requirements will further disincentivize RWA in spite of the additional public health protection it can provide. We recommend that the requirement for onsite staffing at all facilities be re-evaluated, particularly at the drinking water and wastewater
    treatment plant where we do not believe 24/7 onsite staffing is necessary.

Conclusion

  • We appreciate the time, energy, and thoughtful consideration that was spent by DDW in preparing these draft regulations. We believe they will provide critical regulatory certainty for DPR projects in California. We ask that you consider the modifications above, which we believe will further improve these draft regulations.

CA-NV AWWA, CWEA Finalize Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification Program

After four years of work, the Advanced Water Treatment Operator™ (AWTO®) certification program is now complete and launched by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) and the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). The exam for the highest-grade level, known as AWT5™, launched on July 15th, completing the planned roll-out of exams on-budget and on a fast-tracked schedule.

AWTO certification allows water and wastewater operators to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and qualify for new career opportunities at high-tech water reuse facilities. As California and Nevada expand water reuse, AWT operators are expected to be in high demand.

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Free Webinar, July 10th: AWTO™ Certification Orientation Webinar

We’re holding the AWT Operator Certification webinar once again.

The Future of Water is Here.
Get ready. Get AWTO™ certified!

Wednesday, July 10th
Noon to 1:00pm

Register for the webinar here

You will learn about:

  • AWTO Program Background
    Gordon Williams, EBMUD and AWTO Committee
  • AWTO Exam Sign-up Process
    Alec Mackie, CWEA
  • Audience Q&A
    Facilitated by Steven Garner, Certification Manager, CA-NV AWWA

We are now accepting applications for the AWT3™ certification exam. Click here to learn about the application process

We are now accepting applications for the AWT3 Certification Exam

The AWT Operator™ Certification program is kicking off and we’re ready to start taking applications for the exam.

Remember, to apply for the AWT3 exam you must current hold a Grade 3, California or Nevada issued operator certification (drinking water treatment operator or wastewater treatment operator).

Follow the steps on the Apply page.

The first step is to download the AWTO™ Candidate Handbook.

The future of water is starting now.
Get AWTO certified.

Good luck!

Webinar: Announcing the Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification Program

The Advanced Water Treatment Operator Joint Committee held a program overview webinar on Thursday March 14th. Topics included:

  • Welcome
    Toby Roy, Chair, AWTO Committee
    (retired) San Diego County Water Authority
  • The value and benefits of obtaining AWTO Certification for the operators and their agencies
    Fernando Gonzalez, LA Sanitation
  • AWTO Program Development Background
    Yan Zhang, Long Beach Water Dept.

    • Information on the development of the AWTO Grades 3-5 certification program
    • The minimum qualifications for operators to take the exams and become certified
  • Exam process
    Alec Mackie, CWEA

    • Resources for learning about the treatment processes and range of knowledge included in the certification program
    • The process for applying and taking the exam
  • Audience Q&A with speakers
    Facilitated by Steven Garner, CA-NV AWWA

Presenters:

  • Toby Roy, retired, San Diego County Water Authority
  • Fernando Gonzalez, Plan Manager, Terminal Island WRP, LA Sanitation, City of Los Angeles
  • Yan Zhang, Senior Civil Engineer, Long Beach Water Department
  • Steven Garner, Certification Manager, CA-NV AWWA
  • Alec Mackie, Director of Communications, CWEA

Update on the AWTO Certification Program and Upcoming Webinar

Dear CA and NV Water Professionals,

After three years of significant effort, the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) and the California Water and Environment Association (CWEA) are prepared to launch the Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification™ Program (AWTO™ Certification Program) and will begin offering certification exams for drinking water and wastewater treatment operators in California and Nevada by May 2019.

I would like to invite you to participate in a one-hour webinar Overview of the AWTO Certification Program on Thursday, March 14th at 11:00am. You can learn about:

  • The value and benefits of obtaining AWTO Certification for the operators and their agencies
    Toby Roy, Chair, AWTO Certification Committee and Fernando Gonzalez, LA Sanitation
  • AWTO Background
    Yan Zhang, Long Beach Water Dept.
    Information on the development of the AWTO Grades 3-5 certification program
    The minimum qualifications for operators to take the exams and become certified
  • Exam process
    Alec Mackie, CWEA
    Resources for learning about the treatment processes and range of knowledge included in the certification program
    The process for applying and taking the exam
  • Audience Q&A with speakers – 11:50-Noon
    Facilitated by Steven Garner, CA-NV AWWA

Thursday, March 14 11:00am to Noon
Webinar registration link >

The webinar will be recorded.

The webinar is appropriate for agency leaders, plant managers and water/wastewater operators. If possible, please plan to gather as a group in a conference room to view the webinar. We have only 100 log-ins available for the webinar.

AWTO Program Update

CA-NV AWWA and CWEA entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on 12/15/17 and 11/29/18. Volunteers, staff and psychometric consultants collaboratively developed the new voluntary certification program.   The goals of the program are to:
Certify Advanced Water Treatment Operators to ensure they provide clean water and protect public health
Provide an advanced level certification program requested by water and wastewater agencies and State regulators
Maximize the safe use of water supplies in California and Nevada.
CA-NV AWWA and CWEA are completing an AWTO Candidate Handbook, which will be available by spring 2019.

Thank you to the AWTO program supporters

Development of a voluntary certification program is possible thanks to the strong interest and support from water and wastewater professionals, including:

  • Industry Supporters: California Urban Water Agencies (CUWA), American Water Works Associations (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), Water Research Foundation (WRF) and WateReuse California.
  • Water and Wastewater Agencies: Several water and wastewater agencies are providing funding (shown below) and their staff are participating in the development of the program.
  • AWTO Committee and Subject Matter Experts:  A committee of over 90 people worked diligently to provide direction for the program.  Subject matter experts volunteered their time to provide input on the job analysis, the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a qualified AWT Operator, and to develop exam content.
  • California State Water Resources Control Board Staff:  The CA State Water Board has an interest in the development of the certification program. CA Water Board staff provide input to ensure the program is compatible with the State’s interests in protecting public health.

Details on registering for the grade 3 AWTO exam are not ready yet but will be posted soon. We’ll send another message as soon as those details are posted.

I look forward to discussing the new AWTO certification with you during the March 14th webinar.

Sincerely,

Toby Roy

Chair, AWTO Certification Committee
(Retired) San Diego County Water Authority


Thank you to the AWTO Program Supporters

Free Webinar on March 14th: Overview of the AWTO Certification Program

Thursday, March 14 11:00am to Noon
Webinar registration link

The webinar will be recorded.
Please gather as a group in your agency’s conference room as we only have 100 log-ins available for this webinar.

  • The value and benefits of obtaining AWTO Certification for the operators and their agencies
    Toby Roy, Chair, AWTO Certification Committee and Fernando Gonzalez, LA Sanitation
  • AWTO Background
    Yan Zhang, Long Beach Water Dept.

    • Information on the development of the AWTO Grades 3-5 certification program
    • The minimum qualifications for operators to take the exams and become certified
  • Exam process
    Alec Mackie, CWEA

    • Resources for learning about the treatment processes and range of knowledge included in the certification program
    • The process for applying and taking the exam
  • Audience Q&A with speakers – 11:50-Noon
    Facilitated by Steven Garner, CA-NV AWWA

Webinar registration link

CA-NV AWWA and CWEA Sign Agreement to Work Together on the Future of Operator Certification

The California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) and California Water Environment Association (CWEA) have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop the Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO) certification program.

The certification exams are expected to be ready in the spring of 2019. The certification will be open to all California and Nevada Grade 3 or higher drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment operators.

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