Public Water System Operators: What Applicants for Licensing Need to Know

Preparing for the licensing exams for public water system operators.

This page will assist you in preparing for your licensing exam and your daily job activities. Select the class and type of license you are applying for in the list below to find the information you should know before taking the licensing exam.

On this page:

Class D Water Operators
Class C Water Distribution Operators
Class C Groundwater Operators
Class C Surface Water Operators
Class B Water Distribution Operators
Class B Groundwater Operators
Class B Surface Water Operators
Class A Water Operators

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class D Water Operators

Subject	The Class D Operator Should:
Rules/Regulations	Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D , and Drinking Water Standards ( 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F ).
Safety	the proper safety procedures and uses of safety equipment be able to identify safety hazards in the work environment.
General	the major responsibilities of licensed operators in relation to public-health principles and goals the types of potential waterborne diseases the procedures and requirements for bacteriological sampling proper public and customer relations procedures definitions of the types of physical and chemical characteristics of water the hydrologic cycle sources of drinking water types of required recordkeeping activities general types of contaminants of drinking water the requirements for conducting customer service inspections.
Groundwater	sources of well contamination and general methods of well protection major components of wells and each component’s function general knowledge of well pumps and motors general purposes of various groundwater treatment processes
Surface Water	sources of surface water and characteristics of good-quality water major components of a surface water plant and the treatment processes used in treating surface water
Storage/Distribution	purposes of various types of storage reservoirs components of distribution system types and general purposes of various meters, pumps, motors, valves and pipe be familiar with various types of cross-connections and have general knowledge of backflow-prevention assemblies
Disinfection	startup, shutdown, and safety procedures for chlorinators and other disinfection equipment, the various forms, uses, hazards, characteristics and types of storage of chlorine basic reactions of chlorine in water first aid procedures for victims of chlorine gas how to test for chlorine residual
Math	use common conversion units from a table of equivalents solve basic water utility math problems using area, volume, and chemical dosage formulas

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class C Water Distribution Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C Water Distribution System Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ).
Safety	safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in waterworks operations basic first-aid procedures traffic-control safety procedures trench-safety procedures
General	diseases caused by waterborne organisms basic chemistry concepts related to distribution systems sources and significance of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface water and groundwater requirements for recordkeeping and reporting activities sanitation and disinfection requirements related to distribution system construction methods of preventing cross connections bacteriological and chemical sampling requirements and interpret lab results for bacteriological analyses
Distribution	be able to compare various types of storage purposes of storage maintenance, inspection, and disinfection procedures for storage and distribution facilities causes and effects of corrosion in storage and distribution systems operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for the following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction and installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators, pipes and joints, valves and fittings, backflow-prevention devices leak-detection procedures critical safeguards of distribution systems
Disinfection	steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria relationship between chlorine dosage, demand, and residual and significance of each hazards of chlorine gas operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for chlorinators and other disinfection equipment
Math	how to solve problems involving dosage detention time construction and maintenance activities

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class C Groundwater Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C Groundwater Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D , 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter F , Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ).
Safety	safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in waterworks operations basic first-aid procedures traffic-control safety procedures, trench safety procedures
General	diseases caused by waterborne organisms basic chemistry concepts related to groundwater treatment sources and significance of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of groundwater basic hydraulic concepts related to groundwater movement and wells requirements for record-keeping and reporting activities sanitation and disinfection requirements related to well construction and development methods of preventing cross connections bacteriological and chemical sampling requirements
Production/Treatment	objectives and methods used in production/treatment of groundwater purpose, components, safety procedures, operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, and startup and shutdown procedures for the following: aerators, chemical feeders, chlorinators, fluoridation equipment, pumps, motors, and instrumentation study should include well-construction and development procedures and techniques
Storage/Distribution	be able to compare various types of storage purposes of storage maintenance, inspection, and disinfection procedures for storage and distribution facilities causes and effects of corrosion in storage and distribution systems operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for the following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction and installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators pipes and joints, valves and fittings leak detection procedures critical safeguards of distribution systems
Disinfection	steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria relationship between chlorine dosage, demand, and residual and significance of each hazards of chlorine gas operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for chlorinators and other disinfection equipment
Math	how to solve problems involving dosage detention time static, pumping, and drawdown levels construction and maintenance activities

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class C Surface Water Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class D Criteria, the Class C Surface Water Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Be familiar with the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 341 ).
Safety	safe procedures for self and other employees engaged in waterworks operations basic first-aid procedures traffic-control safety procedures trench safety procedures
General	diseases caused by waterborne organisms basic chemistry concepts related to surface water treatment sources and significance of physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of surface water requirements for record-keeping and reporting activities sanitation and disinfection requirements related to surface water production methods of preventing cross connections methods of water softening bacteriological and chemical sampling requirements
Treatment/Production	objectives and methods used in treating surface water factors affecting pretreatment, taste and odor formation, coagulation and flocculation, jar tests, turbidity, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection and trihalomethane formation the purpose, components, safety procedures, operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures and startup and shutdown procedures for the following: aerators, chemical feeders, flocculating equipment, sedimentation basins, filtration equipment, fluoridation equipment, pumps, motors and instrumentation proper sludge disposal methods
Storage/Distribution	be able to compare various types of storage purposes of storage maintenance, inspection, and disinfection procedures for storage and distribution facilities causes and effects of corrosion in storage and distribution systems operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, and safety procedures for the following: meters, flushing equipment, hydrants, construction and installation equipment, pumps, motors and generators, pipes and joints, valves and fittings leak detection procedures critical safeguards of distribution systems
Disinfection	steps involved in sampling for coliform bacteria relationship between chlorine dosage, demand and residual and significance of each hazards of chlorine gas operating procedures, preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, startup and shutdown procedures and safety procedures for chlorinators and other disinfection equipment
Math	how to solve problems involving dosage, detention time, filter rates, construction and maintenance activities

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class B Water Distribution Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class C Water Distribution Criteria, the Class B Water Distribution Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F EPA rules ).
Safety	be able to implement a safety program in the workplace, conduct tailgate safety sessions, be familiar with the (Texas Hazard Communication Act ) lab hazards lab precautions traffic confined spaces shoring safety
General	basic concepts regarding employee supervision and requirements for maintenance of a distribution system
Laboratory	steps in performing basic chemical-laboratory analyses be able to interpret results of the lab tests and make proper adjustments be familiar with methods used in bacteriological examinations
Storage/Distribution	be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding storage and distribution have basic knowledge of meters, valves, and how pumps operate
Disinfection	be able to optimize chlorine usage in the distribution system and have a thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine reactions in water, and factors affecting disinfection
Math	how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage, flow rates, construction and maintenance activities horsepower laboratory calculations

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class B Groundwater Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class C Groundwater Criteria, the Class B Groundwater Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F EPA rules ) and regulations.
Safety	be able to implement a safety program in the workplace conduct tailgate safety sessions be familiar with the (Texas Hazard Communication Act ) lab hazards and lab precautions shoring requirements
General	basic concepts regarding employee supervision well construction requirements and well development procedures causes of unstable water, methods of measuring corrosiveness, and procedures used to control corrosion
Treatment/Production	be able to diagnose and correct complex problems in groundwater treatment processes
Laboratory	steps in performing basic chemical laboratory analyses be able to interpret results of lab tests and make proper adjustments to treatment processes be familiar with methods used in bacteriological examinations
Storage/Distribution	be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding storage and distribution
Disinfection	be able to optimize chlorine usage in the water system have a thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine reactions in water, and factors affecting disinfection have a thorough understanding of chlorinator components
Math	how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage, detention time, flow rates, horsepower and laboratory calculations

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class B Surface Water Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class C Surface Water Criteria, the Class B Surface Water Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	Have a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding licensing ( 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter A, 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter K , 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter D , 30 TAC Chapter 290, Subchapter F EPA rules ).
Safety	be able to implement a safety program in the workplace conduct tailgate safety sessions be familiar with the (Texas Hazard Communication Act )
General	basic concepts regarding employee supervision causes of unstable water, methods of measuring corrosiveness, and procedures used to control corrosion problems associated with thermal stratification and how to correct them
Treatment/Production	be able to diagnose and correct complex problems in surface water treatment processes
Laboratory	steps in performing basic chemical laboratory analyses be able to interpret results of lab tests and make proper adjustments to treatment processes be familiar with methods used in bacteriological examinations
Storage/Production	be able to diagnose and correct complex problems regarding storage and distribution
Disinfection	be able to optimize chlorine usage in the water system have a thorough understanding of chlorine properties, chlorine reactions in water, and factors affecting disinfection have a thorough understanding of chlorinator components
Math	how to solve more difficult problems regarding dosage, detention time, flow rates, horsepower and laboratory calculations

Need-to-Know Criteria for Class A Water Operators

Subject	In addition to knowledge of the Class B Groundwater, Water Distribution, and Surface Water Criteria, the Class A Water Operator should know:
Rules/Regulations	proposed and current (EPA rules ).
Safety	be able to develop safety programs for waterworks operators understand the responsibilities of employer and employee in regard to safety in the workplace
General	the health significance of various chemicals when found in water in excess of required or recommended limits: how to plan, organize and implement corrosion control programs how to plan, organize and implement an emergency management program related to disaster preparedness how to develop and implement energy and water conservation programs types of water-borne diseases infectious agents, modes of transmission and methods of control how to interpret pump curves
Management	techniques used in managing a water system and supervising its employees be able to plan, organize, staff, direct and control the operations of a public water system
Treatment/Production	how to implement special treatment processes related to fluoridation, stabilization, softening, desalination, iron and manganese problems control of trace organics taste and odor control
Disinfection	alternative methods of disinfection of public water supplies
Math	how to solve all types of calculation problems encountered in water system operations