Jeff Morrison, Assistant Director, Operator Training Committee of Ohio
Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University
Operating and maintaining a water system is an involved process. Changes in process control, safety concerns, new reporting and recording programs, and increasing regulatory requirements make ongoing training a critical part of water system management.
Training is also an important strategy for retaining staff. Most professionals want to grow and advance through their employment. Peer interaction and networking is another positive outcome of training.
Changes in technology are affecting all workplaces. Automation is one advance impacting water systems. While many processes now operate automatically, this does not mean the operator should not understand the process. Power failures, extreme weather events, and community activities can often overwhelm a system that is automated for average use. Operators need training in how to troubleshoot, override, and repair automated systems.
Computers are being used more than ever to control processes and monitor systems. Much of the reporting of water system performance is moving to the internet. Training on updated hardware and software is an ongoing need.
New technologies are being developed to provide safe drinking water and lower costs. Operators need to keep up-to-date with emerging technologies so they can advise local officials on what systems make sense in their management scheme.
Standards for safe drinking water continually change with new public health information. These new standards will be affecting process control practices in disinfection byproduct control, filtration to meet lower turbidity standards, and analysis for additional contaminants.
Safety training is an ongoing need in water systems. The safety of the employees, the public, and water customers is the focus of safety programs. Water system personnel should receive training in issues including:
The need to collect, record, and report information continues to grow. OSHA and environmental regulators have increasing reporting requirements. Lenders have report requirements, especially when the funds are from special grants. New requirements for consumer confidence reports now affect water systems.
Many water system employees, while skilled in operating and maintaining equipment, may require training in managing record keeping and generating meaningful reports.
Ohio recognizes the need for ongoing training of water system operators. All certified operators must obtain from 6 to 12 hours of training each year to maintain their certification.
Training takes resources so it should be a part of the business plan of the water system. A minimum of $1,000 per year for each full-time employee should be budgeted for training. The budget should also include paid time off to participate in training events. Many training resources are available on the internet. Operators should have access to internet services to stay up-to-date.
When planning a training program, consider the following array of resources.