Delaware Drinking Water Operator Certification: Classes and Requirements
Who Regulates Drinking Water Operators in Delaware
Unlike most states, Delaware splits its water regulation between two separate agencies:
- DHSS Division of Public Health, Office of Drinking Water licenses drinking water operators (water treatment and distribution), under 16 DE Admin. Code 4463.
- DNREC (Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control) licenses wastewater operators, under a separate regulation (7 DE Admin. Code 7204).
If you operate a public water system, your certifying authority is DHSS — not DNREC. This split matters when you're renewing, filing complaints, or looking for approved training.
Who Must Be Certified
Any community or non-transient non-community public water supply system that provides pumped water for human consumption must employ a li