Drinking Water Protection
Minnesota Water Operator Training

On this page:

• Water Operator Training with Exams
• Water Operator Training without Exams
• Management Institutes/Special Training
• Expected Annual Training Schedule for AWWA Schools
• Water Operator Exam Information
• Non-MDH Sponsored Training Opportunities

Water operator training with exams

Please note: Exams are subject to change. To schedule an exam, contact Noel Hansen, noel.hansen@state.mn.us.

Applications must be received by no later than 15 days prior to the exam. Applications received after the deadline will not be processed.

October 10-12, 2023
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water/Wastewater Certification Refresher
St. Cloud
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 8:00 a.m. on October 12 (deadline for exam application has passed)

October 20, 2023
Southeast Water Operators School
Owatonna
Contact Keven Maxa, kevenm@austinutilities.com, for more information.
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application October 5)

October 25, 2023
Suburban Utilities Superintendent Association
Maple Grove Public Works
To register, go to SUSA School
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application October 10)

October 24-26, 2023
Northwest Water Operators School
Holiday Inn Lakefront, Detroit Lakes
Contact Dean Sletten, Dean.Sletten@ApexEngGroup.com, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on October 26 (deadline for exam application October 11)

November 1, 2023
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water Operations and Maintenance
Clarks Grove
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application October 17)

March 4-6, 2024
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Technical Conference
St. Cloud
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on March 6 (deadline for exam application February 19)

March 13-15, 2024
Southeast Water Operators School
Rochester International Event Center
Contact Keven Maxa, kevenm@austinutilities.com, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on March 15 (deadline for exam application February 29)

April 16-18, 2024
Northeast Water Operators School
Timberlake Lodge, Grand Rapids
Contact Stew Thornley: stew.thornley@state.mn.us, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on April 18 (deadline for exam application April 3)

May 7-9, 2024
Metro Water Operators School
Eagan Community Center
Contact Stew Thornley: stew.thornley@state.mn.us, 651-201-4655, or Erin Culver, erin.culver@state.mn.us, 651-201-4697, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on May 9 (deadline for exam application April 24)

Expected Annual Training Schedule for AWWA Schools
Although exact dates vary from year to year, most districts in the Minnesota Section of AWWA have a regular schedule for one-day and three-day schools:

• Southeast District: conducts a three-day school (Wednesday to Friday) in Rochester in mid-March and a one-day school in Owatonna on a Friday in mid-October.
• Southwest District: conducts one-day schools in April and August.
• Metro District: conducts a three-day school (Tuesday to Thursday) in early May (in conjunction with Safe Drinking Water Week) in Eagan..
• Central District: conducts a one-day school at St. John's University in Collegeville in October.
• Northeast District: conducts a three-day school (Wednesday to Friday) in April, usually in Grand Rapids.
• Northwest District: conducts a three-day school (Tuesday to Thursday) in late October, usually in Detroit Lakes.

Agendas for Minnesota AWWA District Water Operator Schools

Water operator training without exams

Unless otherwise noted, participants will receive 16 credit hours for attendance at a three-day water operators school and 6 credit hours for a one-day school.

Minnesota Section - American Water Works Association (No Exam)

September 17-20, 2024
Minnesota American Water Works Association Annual Conference
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Contact Roger Scharf, roger.scharf@jacobs.com, for more information.

Future dates of Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference:

• September 16-19, 2025
• September 15-18, 2026
• September 21-24, 2027
• September 19-22, 2028

October 18, 2023
Central Water Operators School
St. John's University
Contact Kevin Young, kbyoung@sehinc.com, for more information.

• American Water Works Association Webinars

Minnesota Rural Water Association (No Exams)

MRWA Training Calendar
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

October 25, 2023
Cross Connections and Backflow Prevention
St. Cloud

October 26, 2023
Water Operation and Maintenance
Hermantown

November 28, 2023
Financing Community Projects
St. Cloud

December 6, 2023
Water Operation and Maintenance
Waite Park

December 13, 2023
Engineering for Non-Engineers
Sauk Rapids

Small Water System Workshops: Class D and E (No Exams)

Specifically designed for nonmunicipal water systems and Class E water operators, these classes are free for operators of any public water systems serving a population of fewer than 3,300.

Class D Workshops (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Contact Kyle Kedrowski: kyle.kedrowski@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

Class E Workshops (8:00 a.m. to noon)
Contact Jennifer Koenig: jennifer.koenig@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

October 3, 2023
Ramsey

November 28, 2023
Oronoco

Note: Class D workshops, provided by Minnesota Rural Water Association and designed for Class D operators at nonmunicipal and noncommunity nontransient systems, are eight hours. The morning session of these is the same as a stand-alone four-hour workshop for Class E operators; thus, Class E operators may attend either the stand-alone four-hour workshop or the morning session of the Class D workshop.

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Management institutes/special training

Fluoridation Learning Online

Community Water Fluoridation: Fluoridation Learning Online

Contact hours are available of Minnesota water operators who complete this training. Operators will need to attach the certificate of completion to their renewal forms for credit.

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Water operator exam information

• Exam References
• Exam Application (PDF)

For more information on the examination schedule and preparation classes, contact:
Noel Hansen: noel.hansen@state.mn.us, 651-201-4690

To receive a Class D or E study guide, contact:
Noel Hansen: noel.hansen@state.mn.us, 651-201-4690

Indicate which class of license you are studying for.

To be eligible to take a certification exam, applicants must have hands-on operations experience at a drinking water system.

Exam applications must be postmarked
at least 15 days prior to the exam.

Non-MDH sponsored training opportunities

• Anoka Technical College: contact Kristin Benson, kbenson@anokatech.edu, 763-576-4955
• CEU Plan: Online Continuing Education for the Environment: Contact Bill Edgar, wwedgar@ceuplan.org.
• Environmental and Public Health International: contact Anthony Ross, anthony.ross@ephillc.com. Environmental and Public Health International hosts live, deep-dive training events on the Flint, Michigan, drinking water crisis. These are crisis prevention trainings designed to share lessons learned and prevent another public health and environmental justice crisis like Flint.
• Environmental Finance Center Network has workshops and webinars on asset management and financial topics.
• Groundwater and Well Care for Public Water Systems presented by WaterOperator.org. Free enrollment.
• JADE Learning, which offers on-line water operation continuing education.
• Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) has free workshops intended for utility operators, staff, city council members, and clerks. Participants will receive 5 contact hours for each workshop. Contact Pete Smith: psmith@map-inc.org, 218-983-4330.
• Hach Technical Training Center - Water and Wastewater Analysis Workshops. Call 800-227-4224, extension 2344. Hach Calendar
• California State University, Sacramento (Office of Water Programs) provides distance learning courses for persons interested in the operation and maintenance of drinking water and wastewater facilities.
• University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Engineering Professional Development offers multi-day courses for professionals, owners, and consultants interested in water and wastewater. Contact Ned W. Paschke, paschke@epd.engr.wisc.edu, or 800-462-0876 or 608-262-1299.
• @YPOTech offers on-line water operation continuing education. Contact Patrick Caldwell: contact@atyourpaceonline.com, 877-724-6150.
• Target Solutions offers on-line water operation continuing education.
• Water Treatment Plant Operations Class C & B Training Course - Online by the University of Florida, Center for Training, Research, and Education for Environmental Occupations.
• WaterLMS courses. Contact Ashley Foltz, 916-553-4900.
• Courses from Safewater.edu

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