Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA) — Operator Training & Pre-Certification

Free 12-week in-person pre-certification training for water and wastewater operators, plus PA DEP-approved continuing education courses statewide. Operates training centers across Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA) is the state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association and the primary source of free and low-cost operator training in the Commonwealth. The flagship offering is the Pre-Certification Training Program: a free 12-week, in-person course covering the fundamentals of water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collections, regulatory compliance, and exam preparation. Graduates are prepared to sit for PA DEP operator certification exams, which are required for any individual responsible for a public water or sewer system.PRWA is also a PA DEP-approved continuing education provider, offering classroom and online courses that count toward the contact-hour requirements operators need to maintain certification. Course topics include disinfection, asset management, leak detection, AMI metering, lead and copper, PFAS, and emergency response.Beyond training, PRWA provides on-site technical assistance to small systems, hosts an annual technical conference, and offers source water protection planning support. For an H2O member that partners with a small water authority, PRWA is the right referral for any operator who needs certification or continuing education.