Drinking Water Protection
Minnesota Water Operator Training

On this page:

• Water Operator Training with Exams
• Water Operator Training without Exams
• Management Institutes/Special Training
• Expected Annual Training Schedule for AWWA Schools
• Water Operator Exam Information
• Non-MDH Sponsored Training Opportunities

Water operator training with exams

Please note: Exams are subject to change. To schedule an exam, contact Noel Hansen, noel.hansen@state.mn.us.

Applications must be received by no later than 15 days prior to the exam. Applications received after the deadline will not be processed.

January 21-23, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
C & D Water Refresher and Exam
St. Cloud
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on January 23 (deadline for exam application January 8)

March 4-6, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Technical Conference
St. Cloud
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. (deadline for exam application February 20)

March 12-14, 2025
Southeast Water Operators School
Rochester International Event Center
Contact Keven Maxa, KevenM@austinutilities.com, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on March 14 (deadline for exam application February 27)

April 15-17, 2025
Northeast Water Operators School
Timberlake Lodge, Grand Rapids
Contact Steve Mattson, SRMattson@grpuc.org, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on April 17 (deadline for exam application March 31)

May 6-8, 2025
Metro Water Operators School
Eagan Community Center
Contact Stew Thornley, stew.thornley@state.mn.us, 651-201-4655, or Erin Culver, erin.culver@state.mn.us, 651-201-4697, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on May 8 (deadline for exam application April 23)

June 25, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water Operations & Maintenance
Wahkon
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application June 10)

July 16, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water Operations & Maintenance
Rushford
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application July 1)

September 23-25, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water & Wastewater Refresher and Exam
St. Cloud
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on September 25 (deadline for exam application September 10)

October 21-23, 2025
Northwest Water Operators School
Holiday Inn, Detroit Lakes
Contact Dean Sletten, dean.sletten@apexenggroup.com, for more information.
Exam: 8:30 a.m. on October 23 (deadline for exam application October 8)

October 29, 2025
Minnesota Rural Water Association
Water Operations & Maintenance
Morristown
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.
Exam: 1:00 p.m. (deadline for exam application October 14)

Expected Annual Training Schedule for AWWA Schools
Although exact dates vary from year to year, most districts in the Minnesota Section of AWWA have a regular schedule for one-day and three-day schools:

• Southeast District: conducts a three-day school (Wednesday to Friday) in Rochester in mid-March and a one-day school in Owatonna on a Friday in mid-October.
• Southwest District: conducts one-day schools in April and August.
• Metro District: conducts a three-day school (Tuesday to Thursday) in early May (in conjunction with Safe Drinking Water Week) in Eagan..
• Central District: conducts a one-day school at St. John's University in Collegeville in October.
• Northeast District: conducts a three-day school (Wednesday to Friday) in April, usually in Grand Rapids.
• Northwest District: conducts a three-day school (Tuesday to Thursday) in late October, usually in Detroit Lakes.

Agendas for Minnesota AWWA District Water Operator Schools

Water operator training without exams

Unless otherwise noted, participants will receive 16 credit hours for attendance at a three-day water operators school and 6 credit hours for a one-day school.

Minnesota Section - American Water Works Association (No Exam)

September 16-19, 2025
Minnesota American Water Works Association Annual Conference
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Contact Roger Scharf, roger.scharf@jacobs.com, for more information.

Future dates of Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference:

• September 15-18, 2026
• September 21-24, 2027
• September 19-22, 2028
• American Water Works Association Webinars

Minnesota Rural Water Association (No Exams)

MRWA Training Calendar
Contact Bob Klug, bob.klug@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

December 5, 2024
Engineering for Non-Engineers
New Prague

December 10, 2024
Water Operations & Maintenance
Thief River Falls

January 29, 2025
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Training
Elbow Lake

February 25, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Big Lake

April 1, 2025
Chlorine School
Roseville

April 2, 2025
Financing Your Community Project
Nisswa

April 3, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

April 9, 2025
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Training
Fairfax

April 22, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Elbow Lake

April 29, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
International Falls

April 29, 2025
Operations for Non-Operators
Ortonville

May 14, 2025
Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Training
Tower

May 15, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Tower

May 21, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Pipestone

May 28, 2025
Line Tracing
Brainerd

May 29, 2025
Hydrant Repair
Brainerd

June 10, 2025
Line Tracing
Faribault

June 11, 2025
Hydrant Repair
Faribault

July 10, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Kandiyohi

August 12, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Blackduck

August 20, 2025
Operator Expo
Waconia

September 4, 2025
Water Operations & Maintenance
Mountain Iron

September 30, 2025
Line Tracing
Albertville

October 1, 2025
Hydrant Repair
Albertville

October 16, 2025
Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention
On-line

October 22, 2025
Cross Connection and Backflow Prevention
Eden Prairie

November 13, 2025
Financing Your Community Project
St. Cloud

December 2, 2025
PFAS
Hinckley

December 4, 2025
Engineering for Non-Engineers
Waconia

Small Water System Workshops: Class D and E (No Exams)

Specifically designed for nonmunicipal water systems and Class E water operators, these classes are free for operators of any public water systems serving a population of fewer than 3,300.

Class D Workshops (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Contact Kyle Kedrowski: kyle.kedrowski@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

February 12, 2025 - Roseau

April 9, 2025 - Mankato

Class E Workshops (8:00 a.m. to noon)
Contact Jennifer Koenig: jennifer.koenig@mrwa.com, 800-367-6792, for more information.

January 15, 2025 - Jordan

March 5, 2025 - St. Cloud

May 6, 2025 - Willmar

Note: Class D workshops, provided by Minnesota Rural Water Association and designed for Class D operators at nonmunicipal and noncommunity nontransient systems, are eight hours. The morning session of these is the same as a stand-alone four-hour workshop for Class E operators; thus, Class E operators may attend either the stand-alone four-hour workshop or the morning session of the Class D workshop.

Go to > top.

Management institutes/special training

Water and Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) Webinar

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and Water Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Resilience Division will host a webinar, We WARN Together: Integrating WARN in RRAs & ERPs, on Thursday, December 5 at 1:30 p.m. Central time. The webinar is targeted toward community water systems serving more than 3,300, who must prepare or revise and certify risk and resilience assessments and emergency response plans every five years. Continuing education hours may be available.

Registration for We WARN Together: Integrating WARN in RRAs & ERPs

Basic Supervisory Leadership and Management Course

December 12-14, 2024, Eden Prairie Community Center

The training builds provides “Industry Specific” leadership training to managers, supervisors, foremen, and prospective leaders working for public works, utilities and government organizations. This unique leadership development course helps future and current leaders better understand their employees to create a more effective partnership in achieving success in the workplace.  Topics include leadership theory, followership, team development, conflict resolution, decision making, and developing leaders within a team.  

24 Related Contact Hours Water, 22.5 Related Contact Hours Wastewater

For more information, contact Rick Wahlen, rwhalen@edenprairie.org, 952-294-5908, or Karen Heuchert, kheuchert@edenprairie.org. 

Detailed course description: Public Utilities and Waterworks Management Institute 

Professional Operator Development

Conducted by the Minnesota Section of American Water Works Association, the Professional Operator Development (POD) program is an eight-week course for water operators with a Class C or higher certification. 

POD is an instructor-led series of in-person lectures, hands-on lessons, and facility tours designed to enhance an operator’s knowledge of the basic principles necessary to successfully operate and direct the operation of an advanced public water system.

The next course will be every Tuesday (except February 4) from January 14 to March 11. An exam for A and B license test will be held for participants at the end of the course. 

Registration and information for the Professional Operator Development Course 

Water Utility Treatment & Technology

The Water Utility Treatment & Technology (WUTT) program is held at St. Paul College. WUTT consists of a series of non-credit modules designed to fill a need for recruitment and education for employees for water systems. Students who complete the modules will be able to get water operator licenses and jobs with water utilities.

St. Paul College Workforce Training & Continuing Education: Water Utility Treatment & Technology

American Water Works Association (AWWA) Webinars

AWWA offers webinars on a variety of topics, including community engagement, PFAS and other contaminants, rules and regulations, and community engagement.

Upcoming AWWA Webinars

Quarterly Water Technical Assistance (Water TA) Informational Webinars

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

Information on Water TA

Fluoridation Learning Online

Community Water Fluoridation: Fluoridation Learning Online

Contact hours are available for Minnesota water operators who complete this training. Operators will need to attach the certificate of completion to their renewal forms for credit.

Public Utilities and Waterworks Management Institute

Leadership classes through the Public Utilities and Waterworks Management Institute are held on Zoom and at the Eden Prairie Water Plant. Related contact hours of 22.5 and 24 will be awarded upon completion. Contact Rick Wahlen, rwhalen@edenprairie.org, for more information.

Go to > top.

Water operator exam information

• Exam References
• Exam Application (PDF)

For more information on the examination schedule and preparation classes, contact:
Noel Hansen: noel.hansen@state.mn.us, 651-201-4690

To receive a Class D or E study guide, contact:
Noel Hansen: noel.hansen@state.mn.us, 651-201-4690

Indicate which class of license you are studying for.

To be eligible to take a certification exam, applicants must have hands-on operations experience at a drinking water system.

Exam applications must be postmarked at least 15 days prior to the exam.

Non-MDH sponsored training opportunities

• Anoka Technical College: contact Kristin Benson, kbenson@anokatech.edu, 763-576-4955
• CEU Plan: Online Continuing Education for the Environment: Contact Bill Edgar, wwedgar@ceuplan.org.
• Environmental and Public Health International: contact Anthony Ross, anthony.ross@ephillc.com. Environmental and Public Health International hosts live, deep-dive training events on the Flint, Michigan, drinking water crisis. These are crisis prevention trainings designed to share lessons learned and prevent another public health and environmental justice crisis like Flint.
• Environmental Finance Center Network has workshops and webinars on asset management and financial topics.
• Groundwater and Well Care for Public Water Systems presented by WaterOperator.org. Free enrollment.
• JADE Learning, which offers on-line water operation continuing education.
• Kupferle Water Solutions, which offers training of hydrants, flushing, and sampling.
• Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) has free workshops intended for utility operators, staff, city council members, and clerks. Participants will receive 5 contact hours for each workshop. Contact Pete Smith: psmith@map-inc.org, 218-983-4330.
• Hach Technical Training Center - Water and Wastewater Analysis Workshops. Call 800-227-4224, extension 2344. Hach Calendar
• California State University, Sacramento (Office of Water Programs) provides distance learning courses for persons interested in the operation and maintenance of drinking water and wastewater facilities.
• University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Engineering Professional Development offers multi-day courses for professionals, owners, and consultants interested in water and wastewater. Contact Ned W. Paschke, paschke@epd.engr.wisc.edu, or 800-462-0876 or 608-262-1299.
• @YPOTech offers on-line water operation continuing education. Contact: contact@atyourpaceonline.com, 877-724-6150.
• Target Solutions offers on-line water operation continuing education.
• Water Treatment Plant Operations Class C & B Training Course - Online by the University of Florida, Center for Training, Research, and Education for Environmental Occupations.
• Veolia Academy offers on -line water operations continuing education. Contact Kimberly Reeder.
• WaterLMS courses. Contact Ashley Foltz, 916-553-4900.
• Courses from Safewater.edu

Go to > top.