Arkansas Water Treatment Operator Certification: Program Overview
Who Regulates Water Operators in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) — not the Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) — administers the state's Water Operator Licensing Program under the Rules Pertaining to Water Operator Licensing. This is a common point of confusion for new operators: ADEQ handles wastewater discharge permitting and wastewater operator certification, while ADH handles drinking water operator certification and public water system oversight.
License Structure
Arkansas classifies Water Treatment Facilities into four grades based on the size and complexity of the treatment process, with Grade IV being the most complex:
- Grade I — smallest, simplest treatment facilities
- Grade II
- Grade III
- Grade IV — largest, most complex treatment facilities (e.