Section 681.820  Training Criteria

a)         The Agency will accept training for certificate renewal if the training directly relates to water distribution, water treatment, or the professional responsibilities of the operator. 

1)         Allowable training topics relating to potable water treatment and distribution include, but are not limited to:

Coagulation and Flocculation

Corrosion Control

Demineralization

Disinfection

Distribution System

Distribution System Facilities

Drinking Water Permits, Laws, Rules and Regulations

Drinking Water Related Computer Courses

Electrical Maintenance

Filtration

Fluoridation

Ground Water Protection

Ground Water Treatment

Instrumentation

Iron and Manganese Control

Laboratory Procedures

Membrane Technology

Process Waste Handling and Disposal

Pumps and Hydraulics

Reservoir Management and Intake Structures

Reverse Osmosis

Sampling and Operating Reports

SCADA Training

Sedimentation

Surface Water Protection

Surface Water Treatment

Taste and Odor Control

Trihalomethanes

Water Quality

Water Softening

Water Sources & Treatment

Water Storage Facilities

Water Supply Math and Chemistry Calculations

Water Supply Operation and Maintenance

Wells

2)         Allowable training topics relating to the professional responsibilities of the operator and safety include, but are not limited to:

Computer Workshops

Emergency Planning and Preparation

First Aid

Safety

Utility Administration Management

b)         Training Exclusions. Types of training activities that do not directly relate to water distribution, water treatment, or the professional responsibilities of the operator shall not be accepted as renewal training credit.  The following are not considered training for the purpose of meeting the certificate renewal training requirements:

1)         Entertainment or recreational activities;

2)         On the job work or apprenticeships;

3)         Personal self-improvement courses;

4)         Plant tours (unless drinking water related training is integrated into the tour);

5)         Portions of meetings and conferences when drinking water related training is not provided (i.e., business session, lunch, breaks, etc.);

6)         Time spent viewing conference/meeting exhibits; and

7)         Travel time to and from training activities.

c)         Training may be provided by any of the variety of organizations equipped to provide that training, such as colleges and universities, technical institutes, educational units of governmental or industrial agencies, professional operator organizations, and equipment suppliers and manufacturers.  Training that meets the criteria, regardless of the location of the training or the location of the training provider, is allowed for renewal training credit.  For example, drinking water related training from another state will be allowed for credit provided the criteria is met.  In-house training programs provided at drinking water supplies are also acceptable for training credit provided all training criteria are met and proof of training documentation is provided to the trainees.

d)         Acceptable training formats include classroom courses, teleconferences, courses offered via the Internet, workshops, seminars, correspondence courses, in-house training programs, and drinking water related training sessions at conferences/meetings of professional operator organizations.

e)         Training must be approved by the Agency or its designee.  Training providers or sponsors must request approval of training from the Agency before the training is offered.  A training approved by the Agency will be assigned an Agency course number.

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 14182, effective November 13, 2017)