What's Being Discussed

The Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants will meet on November 19, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM in Pearl City and online via Microsoft Teams. Key topics include:

• Operator authority questions: Who has final say at a wastewater treatment plant — the Direct Responsible Charge (DRC) operator or a facility director — and whether an unlicensed or lower-grade operator can fill in for a DRC during required weekly visits.
• License renewal reviews: Re-review of previously tabled renewal applications for more than a dozen certified operators at various certification grades.
• New exam results: Review of computer-based test results from August and from September through November 2026, plus initial exam applications for several new candidates.
• Reciprocity requests: Three operators licensed in Arizona and California are seeking equivalent certification in Hawaii.
• Continuing education (CEU) course approvals: Several cybersecurity-focused training courses for water utility workers are up for approval, including topics like AI risks, zero trust security, and emergency response.
• Temporary certification: One applicant is requesting a temporary operator certificate.
• DRC notifications: Updates on the designated responsible operators at multiple facilities statewide, including sites on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Decisions Expected

• Approval or denial of operator license renewals and new exam applications
• Decisions on out-of-state reciprocity requests
• Approval of continuing education courses for operator credit
• Clarification of rules around DRC authority and substitute operators

Who Should Pay Attention

• Wastewater treatment plant operators in Hawaii, especially those with pending renewals or exam applications
• Facility managers who want clarity on DRC responsibilities and staffing rules
• Out-of-state operators seeking Hawaii certification through reciprocity
• Members of the public interested in wastewater regulation — written testimony is due 24 hours before the meeting and can be emailed to doh.wwb@doh.hawaii.gov