Nebraska Public Water System Operator Certification
Nebraska's public water systems are regulated by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), through its Drinking Water/Environment & Energy (DWEE) division. If you operate or are in responsible charge of a community or non-transient non-community public water system in Nebraska, you must hold a valid operator license issued by NDEE.
The Grade I-IV Ladder
Unlike some states that license drinking water treatment and distribution separately, Nebraska issues a single combined Public Water System Operator license covering the whole system — treatment and distribution together. The ladder runs:
- Grade I — operator in responsible charge of a Class I public water system (the smallest/simplest classified systems)
- Grade II — Class II systems
- Grade III — Class III systems
- Grade IV — Class IV s