1.1 CDPHE CCWP Program & Regulatory Framework (Regulation 100 / 5 CCR 1003-2)1.2 Facility Classification & Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) Requirements1.3 Certification Levels, Education, Experience & Exam Eligibility (Class D-A, Grade 1-4, Class S/T)1.4 License Renewal, Training Units (TUs) & Mandatory Regulatory Training1.5 Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11) & Compliance1.6 Colorado Discharge Permit System (Regulations 61/62), DMRs & Biosolids Reporting
2.1 Raw Water Sources, High-Altitude Characteristics & Reservoir Quality2.2 Coagulation Chemistry, Rapid Mixing & Chemical Dosing (Alum, Ferric, Polymers)2.3 Flocculation & Sedimentation Basin Design, Operation & Settling Zones2.4 Granular Media Filtration, Backwash Procedures & Turbidity Standards2.5 Advanced Treatment: Membranes, Softening, GAC/PAC Adsorption & Aeration2.6 Groundwater Sources, Well Hydraulics, Static and Pumping Levels & Specific Capacity2.7 Source Water Characteristics, Contaminant Categories & Watershed Protection Plans2.8 Pretreatment: Presedimentation, Aeration, Algae Control & Taste-and-Odor Management2.9 Direct, In-Line, Pressure, Cartridge & Diatomaceous Earth Filtration2.10 Lime-Soda Softening, Ion Exchange & Water Stabilization2.11 Water Treatment Plant Residuals: Lagoons, Drying Beds, Land Application & Recycle
3.1 Chlorine Chemistry: Hypochlorous Acid, Free/Combined Residual & Breakpoint Chlorination3.2 Disinfection Kinetics, Baffle Factors, T10 & CT Compliance Calculations3.3 Disinfection Byproducts (TTHMs, HAA5s) & Stage 1/2 DBP Rules3.4 Alternative Disinfection: Chloramination, Ultraviolet (UV) Light & Chlorine Dioxide3.5 Corrosion Control, Lead & Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) & Fluoridation Practices
4.1 Raw Water Intakes, Screening Equipment & Raw Water Pumping4.2 Chemical Feed Equipment: Feeders, Day Tanks, Carrier Water & Feed-Rate Calibration4.3 Chlorination Equipment: Gas Systems, Vacuum Regulators, Hypochlorite Storage & Onsite Generation4.4 Filter Underdrains, Support Gravel, Surface Wash, Air Scour & Filter-to-Waste4.5 Plant Process Control, SCADA and PLC Systems, Alarm Management & Records of Operation4.6 Preventive, Corrective and Predictive Maintenance, Work Orders & Asset Management
5.1 Preliminary Treatment: Bar Screens, Shredders, Grit Chambers & Flow Equalization5.2 Primary Clarification, Solids Separation & Scum Removal Mechanics5.3 Activated Sludge Fundamentals: Aerobic Microbiology, DO Control & Biomass Growth5.4 Return & Waste Activated Sludge Management (RAS/WAS Operations & Sludge Age)5.5 Activated Sludge Troubleshooting: Bulking, Nocardia Foaming, Rising Sludge & Pin Floc5.6 Wastewater Characteristics, Organic and Hydraulic Loading, Diurnal Flow & Septicity5.7 Activated Sludge Arrangements: Conventional, Complete Mix, Step Feed, Contact Stabilization, Extended Aeration, Oxidation Ditch, SBR & MBR5.8 Aeration Systems: Blowers, Diffusers, Surface Aerators, Oxygen Transfer & Altitude Effects
6.1 Biological Nutrient Removal: Nitrification, Denitrification & Anoxic Zones6.2 Biological & Chemical Phosphorus Removal (EBPR & Coagulant Precipitation)6.3 Sludge Thickening, Aerobic & Anaerobic Digestion (Mesophilic/Thermophilic)6.4 Dewatering Equipment (Centrifuges, Belt Filter Presses) & Biosolids Standards (Reg 64)6.5 Pond & Lagoon Operations, Trickling Filters & Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs)6.6 Secondary Clarification: Overflow and Solids Loading Rates, RAS Rate Setting & Clarifier Diagnostics6.7 Tertiary Filtration, Effluent Polishing & Wastewater Disinfection with Chlorine, Dechlorination and UV6.8 Effluent Disposal, Rapid Infiltration Basins, Colorado Water Reuse Law & Regulation 84
7.1 Distribution Hydraulics, Pressure Zones, Static Head & Friction Headloss7.2 Finished Water Storage Tanks, Standpipes, Mixing & Water Age Control7.3 Distribution Piping, Valves (Gate, Butterfly, PRV), Hydrants & Main Flushing7.4 Cross-Connection Control, Hazard Assessment & Backflow Preventers (RPZ, DCVA, PVB, Air Gap)7.5 Water Main Installation, Trenching, Repair, Pressure Testing & Disinfection (AWWA C651)7.6 Network Layout, Pressure Zones, Demand Patterns, Fire Flow & the Hydraulic Grade Line7.7 Fire Hydrants, Dry Barrel Operation, Fire Flow Testing & Unidirectional Flushing7.8 Booster Pump Stations, Hydropneumatic Systems, Controls & Surge Protection7.9 Customer and Master Metering, Meter Sizing, Accuracy Testing, AMR & AMI7.10 System Mapping, GIS, As-Builts, Operational Analysis & the AWWA Water Audit7.11 Service Line Installation, Wet Tapping, Curb Stops & the Lead Service Line Inventory7.12 Leak Detection, District Metered Areas, Minimum Night Flow & Pressure Management7.13 Storage Facility Inspection, Sanitary Defects, Water Age Control, Cleaning & AWWA C652 Disinfection7.14 Utility Locating, Colorado 811 Damage Prevention, the APWA Color Code & New Construction Inspection7.15 Well and Wellhead Maintenance, Sanitary Condition, Rehabilitation & AWWA C654 Disinfection7.16 Booster Chlorination, Remote Chemical Feed, Chemical Storage, Security & Supply Management7.17 Distribution Sampling Technique, Chlorine Residual Monitoring & Nitrification Control in Chloraminated Systems
8.1 Gravity Collection Systems: Flow Velocities, Slopes, Pipe Materials & Manholes8.2 Wastewater Lift Stations: Wet Wells, Submersible Pumps, Level Controls & Force Mains8.3 Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Sources, Flow Monitoring, Smoke Testing & CCTV Inspection8.4 Collection Maintenance: Hydraulic Jetting, Mechanical Rodding & FOG/Root Mitigation8.5 Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs): Root Causes, Containment, Reporting & Mitigation8.6 Lift Station Electrical Devices, Level Detection, Telemetry, Gas Detection & Capacity Adjustment8.7 Lift Station Configurations, Preventive Maintenance, Wet Well Cleaning, Troubleshooting & Emergency Bypass Pumping8.8 Collection System Rehabilitation: CIPP, Pipe Bursting, Sliplining, Grouting, Manhole Repair & Tap Defects8.9 Excavation, Hydro Excavation, Bedding and Haunching, Grade Control & Sewer Acceptance Testing8.10 Collection System Flow Monitoring, Area-Velocity Metering, Weirs and Flumes & Capacity Assessment
9.1 Centrifugal Pumps: Volutes, Impellers, Packing Seals & Mechanical Seals9.2 Positive Displacement Pumps (Peristaltic, Diaphragm, Progressive Cavity) & Dosing Systems9.3 Pump Performance Curves, System Head Curves, Cavitation & NPSH Calculations9.4 Electric Motors (Single/Three Phase), Controls, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) & Power9.5 Flow Meters (Venturi, Magnetic, Ultrasonic), Online Analyzers, PLCs & SCADA Telemetry9.6 Air Compressors, Conveyors, Hoists and Cranes, Service Piping & Standby Power Generation9.7 Valve Types and Duties, Air Release and Air-Vacuum Valves, Water Hammer & Surge Control
10.1 Regulatory Sampling Procedures, Chain of Custody, Holding Times & Preservation Techniques10.2 Physical & Chemical Drinking Water Testing: Turbidity, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness & Chlorine (DPD)10.3 Wastewater Laboratory Analysis: BOD5, COD, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) & Settleometry10.4 Microbiological Testing: Total Coliform, E. coli (Colilert, Membrane Filtration) & QA/QC10.5 Bench-Scale Jar Testing, Coagulant Optimization & Streaming Current Monitoring10.6 Laboratory Equipment, Calibration and Verification, QA/QC Program & Certified Laboratory Requirements10.7 Nutrient Series, Metals Sampling, Whole Effluent Toxicity & Electrode Measurements (DO, pH, ORP, H2S)
11.1 Core Conversions, Geometric Area, Pipe Volume & Continuous Flow Rate (MGD, GPM, cfs)11.2 Chemical Dosage, The Standard "Pounds Formula", Active Chemical & Solution Purity11.3 Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), Surface Overflow Rate (SOR) & Weir Overflow Rates11.4 Process Control Calculations: F/M Ratio, MCRT/Solids Retention Time (SRT) & Sludge Volume Index (SVI)11.5 Distribution Pressure, Static vs Dynamic Head, Water Horsepower & Wire-to-Water Efficiency11.6 CT Calculations: Baffling Factors, T10, Temperature and pH Corrections & Multi-Segment Compliance
12.1 Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) Entry, Atmospheric Testing (O2/LEL/H2S/CO) & Rescue12.2 Control of Hazardous Energy: Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Arc Flash & Electrical Safety12.3 Chemical Safety: Chlorine Gas Handling, Ton Cylinders, Sulfur Dioxide, Ammonia & SDS/GHS12.4 Trenching & Excavation: Soil Classification, Sloping, Shoring, Shielding & Competent Person Rules12.5 Emergency Action Plans, Security Vulnerability, Spill Containment & CDPHE Tier 1/2/3 Public Notice12.6 Work Zone Traffic Control, PPE, Fall Protection, Fire Extinguishers, First Aid & Bloodborne Pathogens12.7 Standard Operating Procedures, Operating Records, Regulatory Reporting, Customer Complaints & Supervisory Duties
Free Study Guide•Practice questions, flashcards, and related resources
Free CO Water Operator Exam Prep
Colorado Water/Wastewater Operator Certification Exam
Prepare for the CO Water Operator exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
12
Chapters
98
Sections
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Updated January 2026
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Your Study Path
Colorado Water / Wastewater Operator License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation
1
Review CDPHE CCWP regulations (5 CCR 1003-2)
Learn the CDPHE CCWP rules under 5 CCR 1003-2, including Class D-A treatment and Grade 1-4 distribution levels, renewal, and the regulatory training requirement.
5
hours
2
Study WPI Need-to-Know Criteria for your exam level
Map the WPI Need-to-Know Criteria for your specific class or grade so your study targets only the treatment or distribution topics your exam level covers.
5
hours
3
Practice water treatment and wastewater math calculations
Drill flow, dosage, detention-time, and loading calculations, plus sampling and lab math, since these problem-solving questions decide many operator exam scores.
5
hours
4
Take practice exams covering all domains
Sit timed practice tests spanning CCWP regulations, treatment processes, distribution and collection hydraulics, and laboratory and safety to confirm readiness for the WPI exam.
5
hours
Estimated total study time
20 hours
That's about 2 weeks at 10 hours/week
Can You Take the CO Water Operator Exam?
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What You'll Study
12 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide
1
Chapter 1: State Laws, Regulations & CCWP Certification
6 sections
2
Chapter 2: Source Water & Drinking Water Treatment Processes
11 sections
3
Chapter 3: Disinfection & Chemical Addition
5 sections
4
Chapter 4: Water Treatment Plant Equipment, Instrumentation & Maintenance
6 sections
5
Chapter 5: Wastewater Treatment Principles & Biological Processes
8 sections
6
Chapter 6: Advanced Wastewater Treatment & Solids Management
8 sections
7
Chapter 7: Water Distribution Systems
17 sections
8
Chapter 8: Wastewater Collection Systems
10 sections
9
Chapter 9: Pumps, Motors & Utility Mechanics
7 sections
10
Chapter 10: Laboratory Analysis & Water Quality Monitoring
7 sections
11
Chapter 11: Operator Mathematics & Applied Calculations
6 sections
12
Chapter 12: Safety, Emergency Operations & Compliance
7 sections
CO Water Operator-Specific Topics Covered
CDPHE CCWP program (5 CCR 1003-2)Class D-A treatment and Grade 1-4 distribution/collection levelsClass S (small water system) and Class T (transient) certificatesOne-hour regulatory training requirementColorado high-altitude and temperature considerationsWPI standardized examination format
CO Water Operator Exam Details
Colorado Water/Wastewater Operator Certification Exam
Administered by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
70%
Passing Score
100
Questions
2.5-3
Hours
$69+ (WPI exam fee plus state application fees)
Exam Fee
Study time: 40-80 hours
Prerequisites: High school diploma; 1 month experience or approved training for entry level
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) content outline
What's Included
12 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
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What's Next After the CO Water Operator?
After passing the CO Water Operator, you can pursue these career paths
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Run coagulation, filtration, and disinfection processes at a Colorado drinking-water plant under a Class D through A certificate.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Operate activated sludge, nutrient removal, and sludge handling at a Colorado wastewater facility certified by CDPHE.
Water Distribution System Operator
Maintain pressure zones, pumps, and cross-connection control across a Colorado distribution network at Grade 1 through 4.
Collection System Operator
Keep Colorado sewer collection lines and lift stations flowing while preventing overflows and backups.
Utility Manager
Advance to oversee operations, compliance, and staff for a Colorado water or wastewater utility.
CO Water Operator Exam FAQ
Official Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Resources
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