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WEF's vision to "preserve and enhance the global water
environment" is the basis for all WEF programs and activities. This vision applies to WEF's member associations.
The California Water Environment Association (CWEA)
participates in many programs through its members and other organizations to work cooperatively with State
regulators to ensure that the concerns of wastewater
treatment organizations and the public they represent
are addressed.
California's population is approaching 40,000,000 people and protecting public health and the environment is
a huge challenge. On the water quality side the primary state agency is the State Water Resources Control
Board and its nine regional boards. In addition, EPA Region 9 is located in San Francisco, adding to the
regulatory complexity.
CWEA and its members work with other state organizations, regional organizations, EPA, the State Water Board,
and other regulatory agencies on an ongoing basis. This effort has led to successful development of regulatory
programs including:
- Sanitary Sewer Overflow Waste Discharge Requirements
- Total Maximum Daily Loads and other water quality
attainment strategies
- Statewide Biosolids Land Application Waste Discharge
Requirements
The State Water Board runs the Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Program and CWEA members participate
in an Advisory Committee and assist in test review and development. In addition, CWEA offers a full service
Technical Certification Program for other water quality professionals. The basic standard of CWEA certification
is that all certificate holders have, and continue to perform at, a level of basic
competence that enables them to perform the Essential Duties of the job safely, effectively, without close supervision,
and without further training. CWEA administers competency
certifications for wastewater personnel in the vocations of:
- Collection System Maintenance
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance (includes Electrical/Instrumentation and Mechanical Technologist)
- Laboratory Analysis
- Biosolids Land Application Management
- Environmental Compliance Inspection
- Industrial Treatment Plant Operations
This presentation will provide an overview of the various programs described above and how they could apply to other
WEF Member Associations.
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