Expense Reimbursement Grant
Water Operator Certification Training Program
NMRWA is offering a new training program that we are implementing with funding from the New Mexico Environment Department, Drinking Water Bureau. This program will allow us to hold about five additional training days each month on a variety of topics. We will also be able to provide mileage reimbursement for qualified students, and in some cases, reimbursement for lodging and meal expenses.
This program is specifically targeted towards small system water operators - this means systems serving less than 3,301 persons, according to the USEPA definition. Only small system operators of community water systems (CWS) and non-transient, non-community water systems (NTNCWS) are eligible for expense reimbursement. A primary goal of the program is to increase the number of systems with certified operators in New Mexico. Training will focus on the following water certification levels: Small System, Advanced Small System, Class 1 and Class 2.
Training sessions will be free and located throughout the state in order to be as convenient as possible for operators and aspiring operators. Instructors will provide course material free of charge to students. Mock exam sessions will be held in order to give students the test-taking skills they need to successfully pass the certification exams.
Program Downloads
Training Sessions
Operator Certification Fundamentals - this course will be offered once a month and will teach participants the skills and knowledge that they need to successfully pass the operator certification exam. Instructors will provide study materials and sample problems, and will work with individual students if necessary to increase proficiency. The length of the course will be 2 and a half days.
Mock Exam Sessions - training sessions will be held monthly to familiarize students with the "Need to Know" exam criteria and to develop test-taking skills. This half day session may be held at the end of the Operator Certification Fundamentals course.
Continuing Education for Operators - this one day course will also be offered monthly to operators seeking credits to renew their certifications. These training sessions will be similar to the sessions currently offered by NMRWA.
Laboratory Procedures - this one day course will be offered three times a year at locations around the state. Students will learn laboratory safety, correct testing procedures and laboratory protocols.
Disinfectants and Disinfection By-Products - this one day course will be offered every other month, and will assist operators in complying with disinfection requirements.
Water System Security - this one day course will be offered once a quarter. Students will learn how to use software to develop plans to protect their systems from accidental contamination, vandalism and terrorist acts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all NMRWA training sessions be eligible for reimbursement?
No, only classes held under the new Expense Reimbursement Grant. NMRWA will continue to offer training sessions under other programs, which will not qualify you for reimbursement. Eligible classes will be clearly marked on our training schedule.
Who is eligible for reimbursement?
Water system operators or persons seeking their certification may submit eligible expenses for reimbursement. Students must be attending the classes on behalf of a water system serving less than 3,301 persons. Tribal water system representatives are eligible.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Persons meeting the above criteria may be reimbursed for mileage to and from the training session only. Mileage will be determined using map miles from your house (or other point of origin) to the training session. Only one person per vehicle may claim mileage expenses - if you carpool to the training, only one of you can be reimbursed! Mileage reimbursement is currently set at $0.32 per mile.
Unpaid volunteer operators or system representatives may also receive reimbursement for actual meal and lodging expenses, up to limits set by the State. For most areas, lodging expenses may not exceed $85 per night (including all taxes and fees), and meal expenses may not exceed $30 per day. These expenses will reimbursed based on actual costs - so you must provide receipts showing the amount you spent on meals and lodging!
We will also be providing reimbursement for certification exam fees for all eligible salaried and unpaid operators or system representatives. You may receive reimbursement for exam fees up to three times from this program.
A complete set of rules covering expense reimbursement will be available at the training sessions and online at our website.
How many people can each system send to the training sessions?
Anyone may attend the training sessions and receive operator certification credit, depending on space limitations. Only two persons per eligible water system may receive reimbursement.
Do I have to attend the entire training session to receive reimbursement?
Yes. Some sessions are multi-day sessions. You must be present for all portions of the class, or you will not be eligible for reimbursement of expenses. You will still receive operator certification credits for the hours you are in attendance, if you cannot stay for the entire training session. We are required to enforce this provision of the program, so be sure you make it back on time from lunch!
How long will it take to receive my reimbursement check?
All paperwork will be submitted to NMRWA, and we will request reimbursement from NMED at the end of each month. Upon approving our invoice, NMED will issue us a check. We are not allowed to reimbursement anyone before receiving payment from NMED. All checks will be issued by NMRWA to the address you give us on the reimbursement form. Realistically, this process may take up to two months.
What happens if I lose my receipts or I cannot complete the paperwork?
No exceptions or allowances will be made for incomplete or incorrect paperwork. Hang on to those receipts! NMRWA staff will make every effort to assist you in completing the paperwork correctly. It is your responsibility to read and follow the rules.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Ron Schwarzwalder is the training coordinator for this program. He can be reached by calling the office at 1.800.819.9893.
Registration for Classes
Please call the office or use the online form to register for classes.