The objective in using this Ohio EPA Class A Training Manual course to to educate individuals on the basics of wastewater treatment from a small system perspective or to borrow a phrase from Dr. John Buchanon: "Small Pipe People".

Being a 'Big Pipe Person" since 1976 and a Class III Wastewater Operator since 1987, I can easily take for granted the knowledge one can acquire regarding the efforts to protect our natural, renewal resource: Water let us not forget we are to protect public's health.

This particular manual was a labor of love from the Ohio EPA's Compliance Assistance Unit also know as the USEPA Region V, 104g training group. I thank the Ohio EPA for supporting their efforts since the 1980's. I particular want to recognized one of the humble unsung heroes of our profession Mr. Keith Kroeger. Keith retired in 2015 from Ohio EPA was a driving force for small wastewater systems outreach in throughout Ohio.  Keith Kroeger, thank you and enjoy your retirement.

Rick                  Keith                Rick              John
Established by Section 104(g)(1) of the Federal Clean Water Act, the four CAU members help bring wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) facilities into compliance and/or to maintain compliance. Our goal is to improve the water quality of our streams, rivers, and lakes by assisting WWTPs that need help in meeting their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The Compliance Assistance Program seldom works without total commitment from community officials. In order to achieve success, we need the same level of commitment from everyone involved: village administrators, superintendents, plant operators, etc.

5 Sample Questions

Specifically this training material will focus on the effective operations and maintenance of the extended aeration activated sludge treatment system commonly referred to as a
 

  • A. “Poo Plant”.
  • B. “Processing Plant”.
  • C. “Package Plant”.
  • D. "Water Treatment Plant"

Maintaining a wastewater treatment system to provide the highest quality effluent being discharged to Ohio’s receiving streams is
Image result for wastewater effluent

  • A. not a high priority
  • B. an important responsibilty
  • C. is voluntary
  • D. is not important to the receiving stream

The _____________is responsible for the protection of the state’s water quality. 

  • A. Ohio Department of Health
  • B. Ohio Department of Natural Resources
  • C. Ohio Water Environment Association
  • D. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

____________________ into Ohio’s receiving streams and lakes can significantly impact environmental quality. 

  • A. Direct dischargers
  • B. Indirect dischargers
  • C. Non-direct discharges
  • D. Properly treated wastewater

The Ohio EPA requires the ________________________of these small treatment systems, to be certified.

  • A. operator in responsible charge
  • B. all operators
  • C. all laboratory personnel
  • D. all personnell

More by RaShawn Truss

STS Contractor Exam 2014

An On-Line Open Book Exam on Ohio Department of Health's Sewage Treatment Rules Effective February 1, 2023, there is a $65 fee for this exam. During your registration, you will be requested to pay the fee via credit or debit card. Checks are not accepted.                                                          Exam created by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Website created by Operator Training Committee of Ohio, Inc. (OTCO) (You are allowed 5 attempt to successfully complete this exam) Click here to download a current copy of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-29 (Sewage Treatment Systems Rules)  Click here to go to the ODH website Click here to go to OTCO's website Sewage Treatment Systems Information for Installers, Service Providers and Septage Haulers (AREA 1) Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3718 and Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-29-03 requires the registration of sewage treatment system installers, service providers and septage haulers with each local health district where they perform work.  Contractors must apply for a separate registration for each category of work performed prior to conducting work in a health district.    An installer is defined as: (FFF) “Installer” means any person who engages in the business of installing or altering or who, as an employee of another, installs or alters any sewage treatment system or gray water recycling system.   A service provider is defined as: (OOOO)“Service provider” means any person who services, monitors, evaluates or samples, but does not install or alter, sewage treatment systems or gray water recycling systems.  For the purpose of this chapter, service provider shall include a homeowner servicing his own system to meet the requirement of a service contract for product approval or demonstration of maintenance for an O&M program established in accordance with rule 3701-29-19 of the Administrative Code.   A septage hauler is defined as: (JJJJ) “Septage hauler” means any person who engages in the collection, transportation, disposal, and/or land application of domestic septage.  A septage hauler may also evaluate and report on the condition of any tank they are pumping.   Sewage treatment systems contractors are required to take a state exam prior to registration for 2015, and new contractors are required to take the exam prior to registration after 2015.  All sewage treatment system contractors are required to obtain a state surety bond and provide proof of general liability insurance in order to register for calendar year 2015 and each year thereafter.  Effective January 1, 2016, all contractors must submit proof of obtaining six (6) hours of continuing education (CE) for registration each calendar year.    Please see the information below and the navigation links to the left for more information. The sewage contractor registration fact sheet provides a complete description of the registration requirements. AREA (2) Sewage Treatment Systems Contractor Testing Requirements All persons registering as a sewage treatment system installer, service provider, or septage hauler shall take a test on the sewage treatment systems rules.   The test is an open book test with 75 questions. Each question will indicate which rule the question is related to. A passing score is 75 percent (answering 56 questions correctly).  A copy of the sewage treatment systems rules will be provided at the test site if you do not have a copy.  A minimum of three hours will be provided to take the open book test.   The test will be available through four entities:       1. Local Health Districts may choose to offer the test.  Contact the local health district where you register for information about tests they will be proctoring or contact the Ohio Department of Health.        Local health districts, that are proctoring open tests, should notify the Ohio Department of Health of  test dates and locations at least one (1) week prior to the date of test.       2. OhioTRAIN – an Ohio Department of Health training website that offers on-line training and certificates.      3. Operator Training of Ohio (https://www.otco.org/) – a private non-profit training organization that trains water and wastewater treatment plant operators, and other contractors. RaShawn Truss, OTCO Professional Development Coordinator Email: [email protected]  (614) 268-6826 (office)   (937) 244-8149 (cell) Curtis L. Truss Jr. OTCO Executive Director Email: [email protected]  (614) 268-6826 (office)   (937) 215-6554 (cell)" A score of 75 percent or greater will be a passing score. A certificate will be provided upon passing the test.  This certificate will be required to register. When proctoring tests, local health districts must send a spreadsheet list containing the date and location of the test, the contractor’s name, the contractor’s company name, and the contractor’s test score to the Ohio Department of Health, Residential Water and Sewage Program.   The primary registrant or a company representative must take the test. Additional testing will not be required, for additional registration years, once a passing score has been received.   Please contact the Residential Water and Sewage Program at the Ohio Department of Health at (614) 644-7551 if you need alternative accommodations to take the rules test.   last updated 11/12/14 AREA (3) Upon registering and completing this exam, I confirm I have read and understand all of the information above in Areas 1-4.   I understand when registering for this exam, "Name" legally indicates "Contractor Name". I understand and confirm that I am the person whose name will appear as the "Contractor Name" on this exam. I understand and that if I am not representing a business, my name must be entered for "Name of Business". This name will appear on your Certificate of Completion I understand that I have five on-line exam attempts to complete the exam. I understand that OTCO will charge a $65 fee for this on-line exam effective, February 1, 2023. I understand that OTCO no longer offers a proctored paper exam effective February 1, 2023.. II understand that my results and my certificate (with a score of 75% or greater) will be sent via the email address I provided upon registration and to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).  I understand to print a full size copy of my certificate I must first download the certificate first then print from the downloaded copy. I understand if I desire to receive a paper copy (via US mail or FedEx) of my results including my certificate (with a score of 75% or greater), there will be a fee of: (A) $40 US mail (B) $60 FedEx Email Certificate Request to: [email protected] /* */

$65.00