Glossary · 16 terms
The vocabulary
The words the authority, the course and the exam all assume you know.
Potable water
Water that is safe for people to drink and use in food preparation.
Raw water
Untreated source water entering a treatment plant from a river, lake, reservoir, or aquifer.
Water treatment
The processes that convert raw source water into safe drinking water, and the certification series covering them.
Water distribution
The network that delivers finished drinking water to customers, and the certification series for operating it.
Wastewater treatment
The processes that clean used water before returning it to the environment, and the corresponding certification series.
Wastewater collection
The network of sewers and lift stations that carries wastewater to the treatment plant, and its certification series.
Certified operator
A person credentialed by a state certifying authority to operate water or wastewater systems.
Operator-in-training
An entry-level role or provisional status for people gaining supervised experience toward full certification.
Class level
The tiered ranking within each certification series that matches operator credentials to system complexity.
Certifying authority
The state-level body that issues operator certifications and sets eligibility, renewal, and education rules.
Formula and conversion table
The reference sheet of formulas and unit conversions provided to every candidate with the standardized exam.
Standardized exam
The shared certification exams from Water Professionals International used by state certifying authorities nationwide.
Continuing education units
The ongoing training credits most states require operators to earn in order to renew certification.
Turbidity
The cloudiness of water caused by suspended particles, a central water quality indicator.
Disinfection
The treatment step that inactivates disease-causing microorganisms in water or wastewater.
Effluent
Treated water flowing out of a treatment plant, the finished product of the wastewater side.