Minnesota
Water Works
Operations Manual
Acknowledgements
The original vision of the people who created this manual was to have it be a “need to know”
study guide for people taking the water operator certification exam. The final product has turned
out to be much more than just a study guide for taking the exam. All of the information
contained in the manual is very useful in understanding the operation of a water supply system,
both large and small.
Publication of the first edition of this manual was made possible through a grant from the US
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Drinking Water, to the Minnesota Department of
Health and Minnesota Training Coalition.
The Minnesota Department of Health then contracted with the Minnesota Rural Water
Association for the layout, design and dissemination of this manual. The Minnesota Department
of Health continues to support the updating of this manual.
The expertise of many individuals has been utilized to bring together an overview of key
elements of the operation and maintenance of a water system. Some of those individuals include,
but are not limited to, John Thom, Gunilla Montgomery, Virginia Reiner, Dick Clark, Doug
Mandy, Stew Thornley, Bob Smude, Roger Larson, Gerald Smith, Phil Moroukian, Glen
Moreland, and Minnesota Rural Water Association staff members Jim Plahn, Mike Roers, Tim
Hagemeier, Larry Bailey, Sharon Larsen and Ruth Hubbard.
This manual will hopefully give you a basic understanding of a water system. Operators
should use this manual as a catalyst for further research of your individual system. We encourage
your continued educational growth through attendance at the many training efforts sponsored by
Minnesota Training Coalition members.
A special thank you to water industry personnel and professional associations for the use of
photographs, graphics, and illustrations for the manual.
Disclaimer
Several photographs and illustrative drawings that appear in this volume have been furnished
through the courtesy of various product distributors and manufactures. Any mention of trade
name, commercial products, or services does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for
use by the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Training Coalition, or the Minnesota
Rural Water Association.
Fourth Publication Date: Summer 2009
Third Publication Date: Summer 2001
Second Publication Date: Summer 1997
First Publication Date: Spring 1994
Minnesota Rural Water Association
217 12th Avenue SE
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
800-367-6792
Fax: 218-685-5272
E-mail: mrwa@[Link]
World Wide Web: [Link]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Water Resources ..................................................................................................Chapter 1
Water and Impurities............................................................................................Chapter 2
Regulations and Sanitary Surveys .......................................................................Chapter 3
Emerging Contaminants.......................................................................................Chapter 4
Math .....................................................................................................................Chapter 5
Well Construction ................................................................................................Chapter 6
Rules Relating to Wells and Borings ...................................................................Chapter 7
Pumps...................................................................................................................Chapter 8
Disinfection..........................................................................................................Chapter 9
Fluoridation..........................................................................................................Chapter 10
Aeration................................................................................................................Chapter 11
Coagulation and Flocculation ..............................................................................Chapter 12
Sedimentation ......................................................................................................Chapter 13
Iron and Manganese.............................................................................................Chapter 14
Hardness...............................................................................................................Chapter 15
Lime Softening.....................................................................................................Chapter 16
Ion Exchange Softening.......................................................................................Chapter 17
Filtration...............................................................................................................Chapter 18
Membrane Filtration ............................................................................................Chapter 19
Taste and Odor.....................................................................................................Chapter 20
Distribution System Operation ............................................................................Chapter 21
Storage .................................................................................................................Chapter 22
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Cross Connections ...............................................................................................Chapter 23
Microbiology........................................................................................................Chapter 24
Corrosion..............................................................................................................Chapter 25
Plan Review and Standards..................................................................................Chapter 26
Security and Emergency Preparedness ................................................................Chapter 27
Sampling ..............................................................................................................Appendix A
Water Operator Certification Summary – Chapter 9400 .....................................Appendix B
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Waters
Minnesota Rules Related to Water Appropriation Permits...............................Appendix C
Math Conversions and Formulas .........................................................................Appendix D
Periodic Table of the Elements ............................................................................Appendix E
Consumer Confidence Reports ............................................................................Appendix F
Advisory Council on Water Supply Systems and Wastewater
Treatment Facilities – Members .......................................................................Appendix G
Water and Wastewater Related Training Performed ...........................................Appendix H
Minnesota Department of Health – Frequently Called Phone
Numbers by Subject..........................................................................................Appendix I
Minnesota Department of Health Exam Application...........................................Appendix J
Additional Resources ...........................................................................................Appendix K
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