1 Discussion Items !Classification of First Nation drinking water and wastewater systems #Status update #Outstanding issues !Certification of First Nation operators #Requirements for certification #Grade 12 or equivalent !Renewal of certifications #Drinking water #Wastewater

2 Obtain Operator-in-Training Certificate High School Graduate; Pass OIT exam Complete Entry-level Training* Within 16 months of obtaining certificate (Available Aug 1, 2005) Obtain Class 1 Certificate Pass exam; Verify 1 year experience Renew Certificate Verify recent experience; Complete mandatory training Life Cycle of a Drinking Water Operator Complete Annual Training hours per year including MOE approved Certificate Renewal Course every 3 years ( Available 1, 2005) *May complete training prior to obtaining OIT Class 2 Pass exam; Verify experience and Post-secondary education (if applicable) Class 3 & 4 Pass exam; Verify experience, including operator-in-charge; and post-secondary education (if applicable) Upgrade Certificate Facility Classification Relative ranking (Class 1-4) which corresponds to operational complexity of the system Highest class of certificate an operator can obtain Hours of annual training required

3 Classification !“Notional classification” of facilities !See attached sheet for stats !Outstanding issues: #Submission of remaining systems #Engineering assessments or P.Eng. sign off or other verification

4 Certification of Operators - Criteria Operator-in- training Grade 12 or equivalent Pass OIT or Class 1 exam Class 1Grade 12 or equivalent Pass Class 1 exam One year of operating experience as an OIT Completion of Entry Level Drinking Water operator course (water treatment and water distribution/supply only)

5 Grade 12 Equivalent !Currently: #Completion of grade 12 from a recognized institution #GED (Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma) #College or university degree or diploma #Successful completion of 1 year of college diploma or university degree in a related subject area (e.g. environmental technician; engineering) #Licensed apprentice (licensed electrician, plumber etc.) !If operator applied for certification prior to August 1, 2004: #All of the above + experience as an operator could be substituted for grade 12 (for each year of experience obtained prior to August 1, 2004 = 1 year of high school or 2 years of primary school)

6 Current Status !Since the introduction of the new operator certification regulation in August 1, 2004, the use of “Conditional” certificates has been limited and has not been used as a long term instrument to certify operators without Grade 12 or equivalent

7 Certificate Renewals !As certificates expire, not all are being renewed, resulting in a decrease of certified First Nation certificates !Wastewater: #Fee #Verification of experience !Drinking Water: #Fee #Verification of experience #Preventing Waterborne Illnesses course #Other On-the-job and Director Approved Continuing Education

8 CEUs Upgrade Preventing Waterborne Illness Course Annual Training: - Director Approved CEUs - On-the-Job Practical Training Entry Level Training (Mandatory Course Offered Through Walkerton Clean Water Centre) Types of Training (Drinking Water) Complete Every Three Years Complete if Upgrading to Class 3 or 4 Certificate Required for all New Operators Appendix A: