The Tribal Water System Program (TWSP) has certified tribal operators in partnership
with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) since the beginning of the
program in the early 1990's.
In partnership with Indian Health Service, the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.,
Tribal Water Systems has grown and developed into a program that reaches Arizona,
Nevada, and California's operators. By providing quality training and helping offset
the expense of sending operators to training, the program helps the operator prepare
for testing that will certify him or her in the water and wastewater field.
Subject matter experts that are familiar with tribal systems and have worked in the
area they teach provide training. These consultants provide up-to-date classroom
information. Manuals are provided for each training module and later serve as a
reference for some of the operator basics. By providing the classroom instruction
and as much hands-on training as possible, the operators are better prepared to take
the examinations. The TWS Program offers a database of information to maintain
records for the operators on their certification status and their Professional
Development Hours (PDH).
The TWS Program currently offers training in the following areas and levels with other areas in development:
- Water Treatment-Level 1 & 2 & 3
- Water Distribution-Level 1 & 2 & 3
- Wastewater Treatment-Level 1 (Activated Sludge) & Level 2
- Wastewater Collections-Level 1 & Level 2
- Small Wastewater Treatment-Lagoon
- Water Laboratory Analyst-Level 1
- Wastewater Laboratory Analyst-Level 1
A range of other courses is offered to provide Professional Development Hours (PDH)
for operator certification renewal. An operator has 3 years from the date of
certification to get 30 PDH. Ten hours must be in his/her area of certification.
Courses such as a hands-on course in Pumps and Motors, Safe Drinking Water and Water
Sampling are among some of the courses offered with PDH credit.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Operator Certification
Program, has had a long-standing agreement with the TWS Program for operator
reciprocity at the certification levels provided. The Association of Boards of
Certification partnership also allows for operator reciprocity with other states.
The TWS Program holds two Operator Work Group Meetings yearly in May and November.
These provide a forum for the operators to hear about any program changes or updates,
and to schedule special training or speakers. The afternoon consists of a roundtable
for the operators to share information and ideas among each other.
The TWS Program operates with grant funding from the Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of Community Services; Indian Health Service, Phoenix Area Office;
the US Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX and Headquarters; and the United
States Rural Development Agency. The Indian Health Service also provides training
and manual development for the program along with grant funding for reimbursements of
operator travel expenses.
To learn more about ABC and the certification program, please visit the following link:
http://www.abccert.org
