SWOTC Certification

If your ground water system is 150 connections or less and is required to have a certified Small Groundwater operator this is the OHA-DWS required course for initial certification or re-certification.

OHA-DWS Small Water System Training Course

Designed for drinking water system operators, this free one-day course covers the basics of water system operation and maintenance, water testing and other regulations, waterborne disease, water treatment for small systems and record keeping. The class also reviews the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments, the State Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, and water system security issues.

Classes are scheduled from 9AM to 4PM.  Upon course completion, attendees receive 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This class also meets the training requirement for Small Water System Operator Certification.

Mailing will go out by counties covered. Class size will be limited to 40 people.

Small Water System Operator Manual can be accessed through this link: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/DRINKINGWATER/
OPERATORCERTIFICATION/SMALLWATERSYSTEMS/Documents/BasicsForSmallPWS-2021.pdf

Click on the individual location in order to sign up for each class!

2026 Schedule
Calendar Updated: December 17, 2025

(For Advanced Course Materials, scroll to bottom of page.)

Schedule an exam
How an operator can schedule an exam:
To schedule an exam with a DWS state office in Portland, Pendleton, or Springfield: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d4ea1be6e6544c6c9c490937d0c7c0f8
Once an operator has submitted their request, it will be reviewed by the Op Cert team, and we will then contact the operator with a confirmation and also directions to their selected testing location.

PLEASE NOTE: At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance. For small water system certification, please attach a photocopy of the certificate to the Small Water System Operator Application, complete the application and mail to the address listed on the application form.

The application can be downloaded from a link under “Small Water System “S” Certification:” on the DWS Operator Certification web page: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/OperatorCertification/SmallWaterSystems/Pages/index.aspx

A small water system operator certificate expires on July 31 of every third year. A certificate will be renewed upon satisfactory evidence presented to the Oregon Health Authority that the operator has completed 6 hours of Department approved continuing education since the issuance date of the last certificate and submittal of the designated application form. When renewed, the new certificate will be valid for three years from the expiration date of the prior certificate.

Advanced Course

Drinking Water Services (DWS) is not currently offering the advance course. The course materials are still available on their Advanced Course webpage, and cover the topics of shock chlorination, operator responsibilities under the groundwater rule, and source water protection.