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Industrial wastewater operator certification

General information and rules

Applicable laws and rules

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) certifies Industrial Wastewater Operators and provides certification under Part 31 of the Public Act 451, as amended, and Part 10 Treatment Plant Operator Administrative Rules.

General information

Industrial/commercial wastewater certification examinations are offered twice a year in August and February.  

Certification is offered in a variety of classifications, each relating to a unit process.  Follow this link to a List of the Current Classifications and Definitions.  

A-Classifications

  • A-1A (Special Classification)
  • A-1B (Plain Clarification)
  • A-1D (Impoundment)
  • A-1F (Land Surface Disposal)
  • A-1G (Sub Surface Disposal)
  • A-1H (Non-Contact Cooling Water)
  • A-2B (Filtration of Wastewater)
  • A-2C (Air Flotation)
  • A-2D (Air Stripping)
  • A-2E (Centrifuging)
  • A-2G (Deep Well Injection)

B-Classifications

  • B-1B (Neutralization)
  • B-2A (Chemical Clarification)
  • B-2B (Ion Exchange)
  • B-2C (Oil - Water Separation)
  • B-2d (Ultraviolet Oxidation)
  • B-3B (Carbon Absorption)
  • B-3C (Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium)
  • B-3D (Oxidation of Cyanide)

C-Classifications

  • C-1B (Aerated Lagoons)
  • C-1C (Stabilization Ponds)
  • C-2a (Disinfection)
  • C-2B (Trickling Filters)
  • C-2C (Biological Sand Filters_
  • C-2d (Rotating Biological Contractors
  • C-2F (Constructed Wetlands)
  • C-3A (Activated Sludge)
  • C-3B (Sequencing Batch Reactor)

Replacement certification requests must be submitted to the EGLE WRD Operator Certification Unit and should include the operator’s full name and all requested certification numbers

Certification reciprocity

  • Michigan honors certification reciprocity with any state or nation that allows reciprocity for Michigan operators. 
  • Please contact EGLE-WRD-OpCert@Michigan.gov to request a certification reciprocity application and staff will follow up with you. 
  • Board of examiners for industrial wastewater