CWEA’s Collection System Maintenance (CSM) certification program has completed its revalidation—strengthening exam quality, modernizing standards, and ensuring alignment with the evolving demands of the profession. From July 2024 through June 2025, the revalidation was led by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) representing agencies and professionals from across California. The new Collection System Maintenance exam will launch...

CWEA is more than just a professional organization: we are a vital resource for those working in the wastewater industry. As our work continues to evolve, access to industry information and resources, certifications, training, job opportunities, and a supportive community of professionals is crucial. Each of these components plays a crucial role in shaping your...

Let’s say you’re browsing through a batch of applications for a collection system operator role within your agency. Several candidates hold one or more professional certifications, the others do not. Do certified candidates stand out to you? Is a certified workforce valuable to a water or wastewater agency? Certifications help set a benchmark for standards...

The Environmental Compliance Inspector (ECI) certification program has undergone a comprehensive update, spearheaded by a dedicated team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This robust review and revalidation of the certification program aimed to enhance the standards and ensure that the exams accurately reflect the knowledge and skills required in the field of environmental compliance. The...

CWEA and the the California-Nevada Section of AWWA are proud to partner on the new Advanced Water Treatment Operator certification program. Drinking water and wastewater operators who hold a grade 3 certification or higher and work at facilities using advanced treatment technologies are eligible to pursue the new, voluntary Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO®) Certification....

The TCP Executive Committee has been working with a team of subject matter experts to evaluate the impact of the new Waste Discharge Requirements Sanitary Sewer System General Order (WDR SSS) on the Collection System Maintenance exams and to update the exams to reflect the changes. This post is to inform the wastewater community of...

The Laboratory Analyst (LAB) certification program has undergone a comprehensive update process, spearheaded by a dedicated team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This meticulous examination of the certification program aimed to enhance the standards and ensure that the exams accurately reflect the practical skills required in the laboratory field. The process, which spanned from July...

The updated Laboratory Analyst Candidate Handbook is here! Covering all four Grade Levels, this handbook is the go-to source for LAB Certification whether you are actively preparing for an exam, thinking about the next stage in your career, or training teammates. In it you will find everything you need to prepare for the new exams launching...

The CWEA Collection Systems Committee is working on multiple strategies to increase the amount of training across California. We have heard clearly from members it’s important to help the next generation of professionals succeed. CWEA proudly offers voluntary certification programs for wastewater professionals. Each program includes increasingly advanced Grade options that demonstrate mastery of new...

Join CWEA members Kody Tompkins and Louis Sun on the State Water Board’s Wastewater Operator Advisory Committee. Details from the State Water Board… The Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP) Advisory Committee has openings for the following positions: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Representative – Persons from statewide organizations representing municipalities, including counties or private utility wastewater...

CWEA has launched the new exams for the Collection System Maintenance Certification Grades 1 – 4 and Mechanical Technologist Certification Grades 1 – 4. Under the new Minimum Qualifications, applicants will need to hold the lower level certification to qualify for the Grade 3 or 4 exam. The new Minimum Qualifications will allow CWEA exams...

LAUNCH OWEN Wastewater is a rapidly changing field. To help members like you advance and excel in your career, we’re proud to introduce the new Online Wastewater Education Network, or OWEN for short. CWEA is known for high-quality educational events such as the Annual Conference and local section workshops. Starting today, those high-quality training classes are available...

 CWEA’s Technical Certification Program is proud to introduce the OnVUE exam service. The new online proctoring service allows you to take CWEA certification exams conveniently at your home or workplace. Exam applicants now have the choice of scheduling an OnVUE online exam or taking the exam at one of PearsonVUE’s hundreds of testing centers located...

The Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification was developed by water professionals, for water professionals and jointly administered by CA-NV AWWA and CWEA. Professional certification is different than a training or educational program. Training programs offer a certificate of attendance when an individual completes the coursework, but they do not generally award a credential or require...

The Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification was developed by water professionals, for water professionals and jointly administered by CA-NV AWWA and CWEA. Professional certification is different than a training or educational program. Training programs offer a certificate of attendance when an individual completes the coursework, but they do not generally award a credential or require...

After four years of work, the Advanced Water Treatment Operator® (AWTO®) certification program is now complete and launched by the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) and the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). The exam for the highest-grade level, known as AWT5™, launched on July 15th, completing the planned roll-out of...

By now you’ve heard about the new Advanced Water Treatment Operator certification launching in May 2019 that CWEA and CA-NV AWWA have jointly developed. The AWTO certification is designed for drinking water treatment and wastewater treatment Operators working at facilities using advanced treatment technologies and related control processes. What does AWTO mean for you as...

Two collection system leaders discuss the importance of certification and the role training and technology have in the massive reduction in Sanitary Sewer Overflows. Daryl Lauer is the Collections Superintendent for Carmel Area Wastewater District the Chair of CWEA’s Collection Systems Committee. Ken Merkle is the Senior Collection Systems Supervisor for the City of Stockton...

The California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) and California Water Environment Association (CWEA) have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly develop the Advanced Water Treatment Operator (AWTO) Certification program. The certification exams are expected to be ready in the Spring of 2019. The certification will be open to all California...

About this series:  Each month CWEA is interviewing an innovative thinker in the water profession. We’re asking each person “The future of the water profession is …” Juan Guerreiro Deputy Director City of San Diego, Public Utilities Department Grade V Wastewater Treatment Operator, SWRCB Dual-Associate Degrees, Water and Wastewater, Cuyamaca College Bachelors Degree, San Diego State University...