All public drinking water systems that are required to comply with state licensure rules must have a licensed operator in responsible charge. Systems may choose how to meet this requirement. Larger systems usually designate an employee of the system to fulfill this role. Smaller systems may choose to obtain a volunteer (either an unpaid association member or an individual served by the system) who agrees to become licensed and provide supervision.

Systems also have the option of contracting for this service. Systems may contract with a licensed public drinking water operator or with another drinking water system that has licensed operators. (Wastewater systems also have this option.) In all cases, because the contracted operator or the contractor employed by the system will be serving as the responsible charge operator, he or she must be licensed at the grade equal to or greater than the classification of the system.

If the decision is made to contract with a licensed operator, the terms of the contract or agreement should outline the supervision or responsible charge duties given to the contract individual, state the specific duties to be performed, and identify situations when the contractor must get prior permission from the system owner for a situation not covered in the contract.

Hiring Recommendations

To assist systems in in finding and hiring independent licensed operators, DEQ has prepared a summary of contract issues that should be discussed when interviewing potential contract operator candidates in the booklet, Recommendations for Hiring a Contract Operator.

> View Recommendations for Hiring a Contract Operator (pdf 101 kb, 7 pages)

Submit Name as Contract Operator Available for Hire

If you're interested in providing your services as a contract operator, go to Submit Name as Contract Operator Available for Hire.

Search for Contract Operators for Hire

A number of operators have indicated interst in hiring out their services for contract work at drinking water systems. Access this list here.