Classification

Classification of a water or wastewater facility/system provides an indication of the degree of knowledge and training that is required of an operator of that facility. The EOCP classifies facilities in BC and Yukon in accordance with pertinent regulations, and the Best Practices guide established by the Canadian Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Committee in conjunction with the Association of Boards of Certification.

Facility classifications include small water systems, small wastewater systems, water distribution and treatment systems (Levels I to IV), and wastewater collection and treatment systems (Levels I to IV).

Please contact the EOCP office for details.

Completing a Facility Classification:

The EOCP has recently updated its facility classification models for larger systems (serving more than 500 people). This update applies to water distribution, water treatment, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment.

Facility classifications expire on a 5-year cycle, and must be updated upon expiry, or following a major process change or upgrade.

To confirm the status of your facility classification, and to reclassify, please login to your profile at https://crm.eocp.ca and complete the following steps:

*if you do not have a CRM profile, or have forgotten your login information, please contact the EOCP Office

  1. From your profile page, navigate to the relationships tab to locate the facility
  2. Click on the facility of interest
  1. From the facility page, click the classifications tab to confirm whether or not the classification has expired.
  2. To reclassify the facility, click the Action button in the upper right-hand corner of the page and select ‘Request Re-classification’
  1. This will open the classification in a new tab.
  2. Please complete the entire form, and click save, next.
  3. Page 2 will ask you to confirm the list of operators who work at the facility, and to upload a drawing/schematic of the system. Click submit.

*In order to submit an application, you must be identified as the chief operator or person in charge. Please confirm this in the relationships tab.

  1. You will receive a notification once the submission has been completed.
  2. For more details, or any questions regarding the classification process, please contact the EOCP Office at facilities@eocp.ca

Classification Forms

For classification of Small Water Systems that serve under 500 people please continue to use the Small Water System Classification Form.

For classification of Small Wastewater Systems that serve under 500 people please continue to use the Small Wastewater System Classification Form.

Pre-Classification

What is pre-classification?

The EOCP offers pre-classification for facilities which are new or going through major upgrades. Pre-classification is done using facility classification models and an interview with either the Chief Operator or design engineer to understand how the new or upgraded facility will be classified.

Why should I pre-classify?

If you are involved in the design of a new facility or system, it can be helpful to understand what the classification will be at the time of commissioning, so that the utility can ensure there is certified operator in place with the right certifications.

If you are completing upgrades at your existing facility or system, it is also helpful to know if your operators will require further training.

If you are involved in the design of a new facility or system, the pre-classification exercise can help with selecting a preferred method of treatment which aligns with the needs of the community. For example, a small remote community may not be able to support having a Level III or IV certified operator. The pre-classification form will aide in selecting specific treatment /distribution/collection options that will result in a lower classification if that is a desired outcome.

How do I pre-classify?

At any point during the design stage, before the new or upgraded facility is commissioned, contact the EOCP to arrange a pre-classification interview. You will be asked to complete an excel spreadsheet which provides details on the infrastructure and operations influences planned for the new facility. You will also be asked to provide a design drawing or schematic of the facility showing any new components.

How much does it cost to pre-classify?

The cost to pre-classify a facility or system is $50+GST.

Is pre-classification offered for all facility types?

Pre-classification can be done for water treatment, water distribution, wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, and small systems.

Will the classification of my facility or system change once it’s commissioned?

It is very unlikely that the classification will change, however, depending on the amount of information provided at the time of pre-classification and any changes made to the operational influencers, there is the potential for an increase or decrease. These concerns can be discussed with the EOCP at the time of pre-classification. An EOCP staff member will be able to identify if a facility or system is likely to be on the fringe of a specific level.

Whom should I contact at the EOCP to get a facility pre-classified, or if I have any questions?

You can reach out to Aron Engelhard, Technical Specialist from the EOCP Office at facilities@eocp.ca or via phone at 236.521.8228.