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Small cities push for lagoon‑specific operator certification as DEQ, test provider revise exams
Summary
Representative Ed Deal and municipal officials told the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 that existing wastewater operator exams are weighted toward mechanical plants and create a barrier for lagoon system operators; HB 3655 would direct the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a lagoon‑specific certification program.
Representative Ed Deal and a coalition of small cities urged the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on March 18 to pass House Bill 3655, a proposal to require the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to develop an examination and certification program tailored to operators of lagoon wastewater treatment systems.
In testimony, lawmakers and municipal officials described a workforce bottleneck: small cities that operate lagoon systems face difficulty hiring and retaining operators because the state certification test is heavily weighted toward mechanical wastewater plants and contains questions unrelated to lagoon operation. Witnesses said low pass rates force cities to spend more on training, retain third‑party supervision while operators retrain, and absorb the operational costs of failed tests.
Representative Ed Deal (House District 17) said about 50 lagoon treatment facilities exist statewide and argued a targeted exam for lagoon systems is feasible and would…
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