First Drinking Water Treatment Operators Certified
Date: 29-Jun-2017
Two staff from Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and four staff from Toowoomba Regional Council will become the first “Certified Operators” in Queensland at a presentation to be held at the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia Queensland Conference in Toowoomba on 17 June. While Operator Certification has been in place for some time in Victoria, this presentation is an Australian first, as the staff are being recognised against the National Certification Framework for Operators Within Drinking Water Treatment Systems.
This pilot program has been delivered through a partnership between qldwater, WIOA and the Queensland Department of Energy and Water Supply which aimed to test the implementation of the scheme with a view to its broader adoption.
Water service providers face significant challenges with declining resources, and we believe that this is the single most cost-effective investment by government and industry that can be made in to support strong public health outcomes.
The Victorian Operator Certification has been in place since 2010 and the national Framework was developed through the National Water Commission, building on the Victorian experience. WIOA has certified a number of operators in Victoria to date and as the key representative body for operational staff in the water industry, is excited to see the expansion of this important initiative.
While drinking water regulation in Australia remains the responsibility of individual states and territories, it is hoped that these steps towards an integrated national program will drive improved standards in training and portability of skills.
The full media release from WIOA and qldwater with further information is available here.
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