The Ontario Environmental Training Consortium (OETC), which operates as a CON*NECT project (the OETC project), was established in 1993 to assist the Ministry of the Environment to address its environmental protection mandate. Under the terms of the contract, the CON*NECT OETC project is the Certification Administrator for the following regulations:
O. Reg. 128/04 (Under Safe Drinking Water Act)
Certification of Drinking-Water System Operators and Water Quality Analysts
O. Reg. 129/04 (Under Ontario Water Resources Act)
Licensing of Sewage Works Operators
O. Reg. 170/03 (Under Safe Drinking Water Act)
Drinking Water Systems
Trained Person
The CON*NECT OETC project has administered the water/wastewater certification program under contract to the Ministry of the Environment since 1993. The mandate of the CON*NECT OETC project is to:
Establish recognized professional standards by requiring that all Drinking-Water operators be certified and all wastewater system operators be licensed to promote professionalism in an important environmental occupation.
Ensure that employers have a pool of knowledgeable, qualified Drinking-Water operators to provide drinking water to the residents of Ontario.
Ensure that employers have a pool of knowledgeable wastewater operators to protect our natural environment and human health.
Ensure that all operators are given the opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications for obtaining certification or licensing.
Ensure that all water / wastewater facilities in Ontario are classified commensurate with the level of service provided to the community.
Promote ongoing training of those persons employed as drinking-water and wastewater operators in Ontario.
The project’s specific responsibilities include:
Administering 29 different certification examinations; (5,200 exams written annually)
Providing services to 10,000 operators holding 18,150 licenses
Reviewing applications for new, renewal and upgraded certificates/licenses as approved by the MOE Director and issuing operator certificates/licenses as approved by the MOE Director
Reviewing applications for facility classifications and making recommendations to the Director for approval
Evaluating courses for assignment of continuing education units (CEU)
Administering special and oral examinations
Providing interpretations of the new regulatory requirements to the regulated community
Using the newly developed Water Wastewater Operator Certification System (WWOCS) which is a client management information system that provides web-based online activity including applications/course submissions, and operator and municipal access to information.
This project is located at 37 George Street North, Suite 206 in Brampton, ON. Further information regarding the OETC project can be obtained by visiting their website, http://www.oetc.on.ca, or by contacting:
