Financial Assistance for Drinking Water Operators

Kentucky Small Drinking Water Operator Certification Expense Reimbursement Grant (ERG)

Kentucky's Expense Reimbursement Grant (ERG) program is designed to assist Kentucky's small drinking water systems in obtaining and maintaining skilled certified operators by waiving and/or reimbursing the costs associated with operator training and certification.  To be eligible, operators must operate a community or nontransient noncommunity public water system serving a population of 3,300 or fewer.  The extent of assistance depends on whether an operator is compensated in any way by the water system (salaried) or if he/she is a volunteer or noncompensated by the system (nonsalaried).  In either case, eligible operators will have the fees waived for certification preparatory classes, examinations, continuing education classes and certificate renewals. Classes that qualify for reimbursement are limited to those provided by the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance.  Operators will also receive a treatment or distribution manual at no charge when they enroll in a certification preparatory class and exam.  One operator per vehicle will also be granted mileage reimbursement based upon the approved per mile state rate when travel to the class is 40 miles (80 miles roundtrip) from their work station or place of residence, whichever is less.  Nonsalaried operators shall also be eligible for mileage reimbursements if traveling over 80 miles roundtrip and are additionally eligible for reimbursement of meals if traveling during appropriate hours and for lodging if overnight stay is required (at the nearest state park or other approved facility and at an approved rate).  Meals will be reimbursed at the state-approved subsistence rate per meal. 

Requests for reimbursement will be processed as received through the grant period, but must be submitted no later than June 30 of the fiscal year during which the expense was incurred.  Kentucky's fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. 

Water treatment and distribution operators holding valid certifications (not expired) during the grant period will be able to renew them at no charge.  The required renewal application must be completed and submitted to the Division of Compliance Assistance, Operator Certification, 300 Fair Oaks Ln., Frankfort, KY  40601. 

Applicants seeking certification, for water treatment and/or water distribution must meet the minimum requirements for testing at the desired certification level and submit a completed "Drinking Water Operator Certification Application" form.  The applicant must also complete a "Registration Form for Exams and Training Classes" for the certification preparatory class and exam, indicating ERG eligibility.  Payment should not be submitted for the event.  If the applicant is approved for testing, they will also receive a treatment or distribution manual at no charge.  This manual will be distributed at the time of the class.

Certified water treatment and/or water distribution operators seeking continuing education hours must submit the "Registration Form for Exams and Training Classes" to register for classes and indicate ERG eligibility on the form.  Payment for the class should not be submitted with the form.  Fee waivers are limited to those classes provided by the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance, Operator Certification.

Eligible certified water operators seeking certificate renewal must complete an "Application for  Certification Renewal" form for their certificate and indicate ERG eligibility on the form.  Payment should not be submitted for the renewal if the certificate is renewed on time.  The extent of assistance depends on whether an operator is compensated in any way by the water system (salaried) or if he/she is a volunteer or noncompensated by the system (nonsalaried).  Late fees will not be waived for late renewals.

Salaried water operators requesting reimbursement for mileage must submit a "Commonwealth of Kentucky Travel Voucher" to the operator certification program no later than June 30 of the state's fiscal year during which the travel occurred.  Travel voucher forms related to ERG expenses can be obtained online or by calling the operator certification program at 800-926-8111 or 502-564-0323. 

Additional information and travel forms:
ERG Instruction Packet