Correspondence Courses Available for Initial or Renewal Certification

Revised March 2022

The purpose of this web document is to provide New York State water operators with alternatives to classroom-based instructor-led training opportunities for renewal and initial training. These opportunities were expanded to include web-based training sites. All listed organizations were evaluated by the Department of Health for appropriateness to the New York State Water Operator Training Program and to the various course curriculums. Each listed organization includes contact information, but course pricing must be obtained from the offering organization.

Please note that all listed courses may be used for renewal training to count towards contact hour attainment. However no course should be taken twice and no Laboratory Analysis course listed meets the hands-on renewal requirements. Some courses are only appropriate for certain grades; these grade-specific courses are noted as such in the listing.

Only three organizations provide training approved for initial certification, via correspondence and/or web-based courses. The three are: the CSU Sacramento, the New York Rural Water Association, and Michigan State University.

Operators are cautioned that correspondence courses require perseverance and self-discipline since they are without the motivating influence of a live instructor. Please remember that 1 CEU = 10 Contact Hours. It is hoped that these alternative training venues will assist operators in meeting their certification requirements and in maintaining their knowledge base.

To proceed to correspondence courses click on CORRESPONDENCE COURSES or choose WEB-BASED TRAINING.

CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
LOCATION SCHOOL/CONTACT NOTATION APPROVED COURSES
Arizona Administrative Help Desk
Technical Learning College
PO Box 420
Payson, AZ 85541-0420
Toll Free Phone: 866-557-1746
Fax: 928-468-0675
E-mail: info@tlch2o.com
Web site: www.abctlc.com		 RENEWAL The courses listed below are NYS-approved for the number of contact hours listed. Courses that are listed on TLC's website, but NOT listed below are NOT NYS-approved. AWWA would like to offer NY attendees a 20% discount on any of the following courses or upcoming webinars until June 30, 2018. Utilize the promo code: NYSDOH18 during the check out process.
  • Aquatic Environments - 15 hours
  • Arsenic - 15 hours
  • Backflow Awareness - 10 hours
  • Bacteriological Diseases - 16 hours
  • Basic Plumbing - 8 hours
  • Chemical Handling - 10 hours
  • Chlorine & Disinfection - 30 hours
  • Competent Person - 10 hours
  • Confined Space - 20 hours
  • Distribution Basics - 10 hours
  • Distribution Operations - 16 hours
  • Distribution Basics 2nd Edition - 40 hours
  • Groundwater Production - 15 hours
  • Groundwater Protection - 5 hours
  • Hazard Communication - 10 hours
  • HAZWOPER Refresher - 2.5 hours
  • Hydraulic Principles - 8 hours
  • Laboratory Safety - 10 hours
  • Operational Management - 10 hours
  • POU Water Treatment - 10 hours
  • Process Control - 8 hours
  • Pumping Principles - 16 hours
  • SDWA Rules and Regulations - 10 hours
  • Surface Water Production - 16 hours
  • Utility Counter-Terrorism - 30 hours
  • Valve Controls - 6 hours
  • Valve Operations - 16 hours
  • Water Conservation - 10 hours
  • Water Monitoring - 8 hours
  • Water Quality - 16 hours
  • Water Sampling - 5 hours
  • Water Treatment - 10 hours
  • Water Treatment Fundamentals - 40 hours
  • Water Treatment Utilization - 25 hours
  • Waterborne Diseases - 40 hours
California CSU Sacramento
Office of Water Programs
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6025
Phone: 1-916-278-6142
Fax: 1-916-278-5959
E-mail: wateroffice@csus.edu
Web site: www.owp.csus.edu		 INITIAL AND/OR RENEWAL
  • CSU ONLINE COURSES ARE NOT APPROVED. ONLY THE CORRESPONDENCE COURSES LISTED BELOW ARE APPROVED.
  • Water Treatment Plant Operation (Must take) Vol. 1 and 2 for Grade A/B.
  • Small Water Systems Operation and Maintenance - Grade C
  • Water Distribution Operation and Maintenance - Grade D

Operators completing the above courses for initial certification purposes are required to do the following before submitting an application to the Local Health Department for certification:

  • complete a Department of Health-approved, classroom-based, laboratory course (i.e. Grade A-Compliant laboratory course, General laboratory course, etc.), and
  • contact the Bureau of Water Supply Protection at (518) 402-7654 to obtain a copy of Subpart 5-1 - Public Water Systems and a Regulatory Training binder.

Copies of the CSU Sacramento course completion certificate and the laboratory course completion certificate must accompany the application for certification.
RENEWAL
  • Small Water System Video Program with Learning Booklet
  • Utility Management Course
  • Manage for Success: Effective Utility Leadership Practices
Colorado American Water Works Association
Lisa Star
Manager - Education and Delivery
6666 West Quincy Avenue
Denver, CO 80235
Phone: (303) 347-6162
Fax: (303) 795-8915
E-mail: educationservices@awwa.org.
Web site: www.awwa.org		 RENEWAL
  • Advanced Disinfection of Pipeline & Storage Facilities - 2 hours
  • Advanced Metering Infrastructure for the Water Industry - 2 hours
  • Applied Mathematics - 3 hours
  • Basic Mathematics - 7 hours
  • Chemicals: Best Practice for Quality Assurance - 2 hours
  • Coagulation, Flocculations, and Sedimentation Basics - 3 hours
  • Disinfection Basics - 3 hours
  • Disinfection of Pipelines & Storage Facilities - 2 hours
  • Distribution Service to Customers - 3 hours
  • Distribution System Materials and Equipment - 3 hours
  • EDP, and Personal Care Products Actions & Communication - 2 hours
  • Filtration Basics - 3 hours
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry for Water Professionals - $310.00 8 hours
  • GeoScience in Water Aquifers - 2 hours
  • Harmful Algal Blooms: Cyanobacteria - 2 hours
  • High Bill Complaints? Easy Water Conservation Help for Customers - 2 hours
  • High Tech Operator Course 1 Process Monitoring & Control - 12 hours
  • High Tech Operator Course 2 Applications & Tools - 12 hours
  • High Tech Operator Course 3 Data Management - 12 hours
  • High Technology Tools for Operators - 2 hours
  • Hydraulics - 8 hours
  • Instrumentation - 6 hours
  • Key Elements to Maintaining Distribution System Quality - 2 hours
  • Membrane Technology Conference Showcase - 2 hours
  • Membranes: Emerging Issues & Technologies - 2 hours
  • P.E. Pipe in the Field - 2 hours
  • Perchlorate and Emerging Contaminants: Where are We Now? - 2 hours
  • Plant to Tap: The Importance of Disinfection - 2 hours
  • Pump Maintenance - 2 hours
  • PVC Pipe in the Field - 2 hours
  • Quagga / Zebra Mussel Control - 2 hours
  • Residuals Management and Disposal - 2 hours
  • Revised Total Coliform Rule - 4 hours
  • Setting Rate in a Tough Economy - 2 hours
  • Trenchless Technology Applications in the Water Industry - 2 hours
  • Water Main Installation - 3 hours
  • Water Shortages: Finding a Solution - 2 hours
  • Water Storage Tanks: Operations and Maintenance - 2 hours
  • Water System Mechanical Equipment - 2 hours
  • Water Treatment Operator Level 1 The Basics - 60 hours
  • Water Treatment Operator Level 2 Conventional Treatment Process - 60 hours
  • Water Treatment Operator Level 3 Advanced Treatment Process - 60 hours
New Mexico David H. Paul, Inc
PO Box 2590
Farmington, NM 87499
Phone: 877-711-4DHP
Fax: 505-327-2934
E-mail: dhp@dhptraining.com
Web site: dhptraining.com		 RENEWAL
  • INWT145 - Reverse Osmosis: Book 1 of 3
  • INWT146 - Reverse Osmosis: Book 2 of 3
  • INWT147 - Reverse Osmosis: Book 3 of 3
New York New York Rural Water Association
PO Box 487
Claverack, NY 12513
Phone: 518-828-3155
Fax: 518-828-0583
E-mail: nyrwa@nyruralwater.org
Web site: www.nyruralwater.org		 INITIAL AND/OR RENEWAL Grade A/B/C/D Courses

Operators completing the above courses for initial certification purposes are required to do the following before submitting an application to the Local Health Department for certification:

  • complete a Department of Health-approved, classroom-based, laboratory course (i.e. Grade A-Compliant laboratory course, General laboratory course, etc.), and
  • contact the Bureau of Water Supply Protection at (518) 402-7654 to obtain a copy of Subpart 5-1 - Public Water Systems and a Regulatory Training binder.

Copies of the New York Rural Water Association course completion and the laboratory course completion certificate must accompany the application for certification.
Ohio Operator Training Committee of Ohio
3972 Indianola Avenue
Columbus, OH 43214
Phone: 614-268-6826		 RENEWAL Water I Correspondence Course and Workbook
Oregon ACR Publications, Inc.
1298 Elm Street SW
Albany, OR 97321
Phone: 1-800-433-8150
E-mail: acrp@acrp.com
Web site: www.acrp.com		 RENEWAL Introductions to Small Water Systems

The following web sites have been approved to offer initial/renewal training in New York State. Only the courses listed under each site have been approved unless otherwise noted.

COMPUTER- OR WEB-BASED
LOCATION SCHOOL/CONTACT NOTATION APPROVED COURSES
Alberta, Canada Red Deer College
Allison Nestorvich, Program Coordinator
Box 5005
Red Deer
Alberta, Canada T4N 5H5
Phone: 403-342-3442
Fax: 403-342-3278
E-mail: allison.nestorvich@rdc.ab.ca
Web site: http://extension.RDC.ab.ca		 RENEWAL
  • Pump Installer Program
California Target Solutions
10805 Rancho Bernardo Road, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: (858) 592-6680
Fax: (858) 487-8762
E-mail: jsr@targetsolutions.com
Web site: www.targetsolutions.com		 RENEWAL
  • Asbestos Awareness
  • Backflow Prevention Methods
  • Backflow Prevention Overview
  • Coagulation, Flocculation and Sedimentation
  • Combustible & Flammable Liquids
  • Compressed Gas Safety
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Disaster Preparedness
  • Disinfection Basics
  • Distribution Service to Customers
  • Distribution System Materials and Equipment
  • Effective Meter Reading
  • Emergency Response to Terrorism
  • Filtration Basics
  • General Construction Safety
  • Hazard Communication
  • HAZ-MAT Spill Prevention & Control
  • HAZ-MAT Transportation
  • HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher
  • Hydraulics
  • Infectious Disease Control
  • Laboratory Safety
  • Lock-Out/Tag-Out
  • Mathematics Applied
  • Mathematics Basics
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Risk Assessment Analysis
  • Trenching & Shoring
  • Water Main Installation
Colorado American Water Works Association
Lisa Star
Manager - Education and Delivery
6666 West Quincy Avenue
Denver, CO 80235
Phone: (303) 347-6162
Fax: (303)-795-8915
E-mail: educationservices@awwa.org
Web site: www.awwa.org		 RENEWAL All AWWA webinars are acceptable for renewal training at awwa.org/webinars
Florida CEU Plan
Mr. William W. Edgar
PO Box 10355
Brooksville, FL 34603
Phone: 352-754-1259
E-mail: bedgar@ceuplan.org
Web site: www.ceuplan.com		 RENEWAL All drinking water topics are acceptable for renewal credit
Maryland Emergency Management Institute
16825 S. Seton Ave.
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: 301-447-1000
Fax: 301-447-1658

FEMA Independent Study Program Office:
Phone: 301-447-1200
Fax: 301-447-1201
Web site: http://training.fema.gov/IS/		 RENEWAL
  • The Department will accept the following National Incident Management System (NIMS)/ Incident Command System (ICS) security management courses, for the amount of contact hours shown below. Excess hours issued by FEMA will not be accepted.
  • Online (FEMA Independent Study Program)
  • IS-100 = 1.5 hours
  • IS-200 = 3.0 hours
  • IS-520 = 0.5 hours
  • IS-700 = 1.5 hours
  • IS-800 = 1.5 hours
Michigan Michigan State University
Office of Executive Development Programs
3535 Forest Road
Lansing, MI 48910
Phone: 1-800-356-5705
Fax: 1-517-353-0796
E-mail: niblett@bus.msu.edu or
gouleta3@msu.edu
Web site: https://noncredit.msu.edu/listSections.action?catalogid=11&offeringid=196		 INITIAL AND/OR RENEWAL Supervisory Management in the Water/Wastewater Field – Course may be used for Supervisory Management portion of Grade IA/IB Course
New York New York Rural Water Association
PO BOX 487
75 Bender Boulevard
Claverack, NY 12513
Phone: 518-828-3155
Fax: 518-828-0582
E-mail: nyrwa@nyruralwater.org
Web site: www.nyruralwater.org		 RENEWAL
  • Basic Environmental Chemistry
  • Basic Water Works
  • Chlorinator Maintenance
  • Corrosion Control Optimization
  • Maintaining Water Quality in Distribution Systems
  • Pump and Motor Maintenance
  • Water Utility Calculations
  • Water Utility Safety
Ohio 360water, Inc.
965 West Third Ave
Columbus, OH 43212
Phone: 614-294-3600 or 866-923-3600
Fax: 614-294-3601
E-mail: info@360water.com
Web site: www.360water.com		 RENEWAL
  • Law, Regulations, and Acts
  • Hydraulics
  • Management
  • Water Treatment
  • Water Analysis
  • Operations and Maintenance
  • Membrane Technology
  • Water Distribution
Note: This site has additional listings under each of the main headings alone. These are acceptable also.
Virginia Mountain Empire Community College
Rosa-lee Moore
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Phone: 276-523-2400
Fax: 276-523-7486
E-mail: rmoore@me.vccs.edu
Web site: http://water.me.vccs.edu		 RENEWAL
  • ENV110 - Into to Water and Wastewater Treatment Technology (Overview and Beginning)
  • ENV108 - Environmental Microbiology (Read Reactions and Oxygen)
  • ENV115 - Water Purification
  • ENV211 - Sanitary Biology and Chemistry
  • CIV240 - Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
  • CIV246 - Water Resources Technology
West Virginia National Environmental Services Center
(800) 624-8301
info@mail.nesc.wvu.edu
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ecommerce/products.php?cat=Training+%28DW%29		 RENEWAL
  • DWCDTR24 Contamination Explorer: Technical Assistance for Small Water Systems (2.5 hours)
  • DWCDTR25 Water Quality Expedition 2008 (2.5 hours)
  • DWCDTR18 Operator Basics Training Series: Ground Water Systems-National Version 2005 (Ground Water Module - 11 hours, Surface and Ground Water Module - 13 hours)

Note for Operator Basics:

  • The 2003 version is no longer approved.
  • The 2005 version is approved for renewal only.
  • Only one course/module's certificate will be honored for contact hours and awarded hours must match those listed above
  • The courses will be honored for contact hours only once every 6 years for an individual operator.
  • The Wastewater Lagoon and Exploration Modules are not approved.
  • There are NYS-specific requirements for operator certification and system classification, please see Subpart 5-4 of the State Sanitary Code
  • The NYS Cross Connection Prevention Program and NYS-approved backflow prevention devices are found at the program's webpage.