Water and Wastewater Operators Certification Advisory Council

The Advisory Council on Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities advises the commissioners of Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) about classification of water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities, qualifications and competency evaluation of water supply system operators and wastewater treatment facility operators, and additional laws, rules, and procedures that may be desirable for regulating the operation of water supply systems and of wastewater treatment facilities.

Council history

The original Water and Wastewater Operators Certification Council was created in 1971. It had rule making authority on the classification of water supply systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and the certification of operators of the systems and facilities. The original council was settled in 1995, and the current Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities Advisory Council was formed.

The current council is strictly an advisory council to the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and does not have rule making authority. The Minnesota Department of Health is proud to host this website for the Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities Advisory Council. 

Who we are

The advisory council consists of members from a range of interests related to the regulation of water and wastewater operator certification, and includes members from the following categories:

• Certified Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator.
• Certified Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator (outside the seven-county metropolitan area).
• Certified Water Supply System Operator.
• Certified Water Supply System Operator (outside the seven-county metropolitan area).
• Certified Water Supply System Operator (nonmunicipal or noncommunity).
• Member from an organization representing municipalities.
• Certified Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services.
• Representative from MDH: Robert Smude, Secretary.
• Representative from MPCA: Nick Haig, Chair.
• VACANCY: Two Public Members (ideally one from an academic institution teaching water/wastewater operations).
• Apply: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State - Boards & Commissions (Search for “Advisory Council on Water Supply Systems and Wastewater Treatment Facilities”).
• Applications are due September 30th, with appointments made by the end of the year.

Current membership

Lori Blair
Jennifer Koenig
Luke Heikkila
Russel Lupkes
Jim Sadler
Ray Wurm
Carol Blommel-Johnson
Steve Grossman
Nick Haig
Bob Smude

Meeting schedule

The Council meets quarterly on the third Wednesday of the month.

• May 20
• August 19
• November (TBD)

Past meeting minutes

• Minutes 08/19/2026 (PDF)

Opportunities

Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) section 1459E to accelerate career pipelines in the water utilities sector and provide access to water utility workforce opportunities. Consistent with the law, this action will help inform people about the role of water and wastewater utilities in their communities and increase the awareness of water utility career opportunities.

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support expanding career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector and elevating public awareness about jobs in the water workforce.

Eligible applicants under this funding opportunity are Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), nonprofit organizations, and public works departments and agencies.

Eligible activities include apprenticeship and internship programs, education programs designed for elementary, secondary, and higher education students, regional industry collaborations, and training programs designed to support decentralized workforce. Efforts should aim for measurable results and clearly show tangible benefits for water systems and communities including training individuals through an apprenticeship program and placing them into water sector jobs, training individuals for industry accreditation, and developing collaborations with community colleges, technical schools, and utilities to address water utility employment needs.

• Applications must be received by EPA through Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant | Grants.gov by October 5, 2026.
• Visit EPA | View Grant Opportunity.
• EPA encourages all eligible organizations who have an interest in these projects to apply.

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