Operator Certification Program - Filing a Complaint
Any person, organization, or government agency may file an allegation with the SWRCB, Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) concerning compliance of:
- Any individual California certified wastewater treatment plant operator; or
- Any wastewater treatment plant Contract Operator operating in California; or
- Any person or entity who owns or operates or allows the operation of a wastewater treatment plant as defined in the California Code of Regulations.
A complainant need not have been harmed or involved in the alleged compliance violation. However, DFA requires that there be substantiating evidence before proceeding with the investigation of any allegation. Information revealed by any complainant to the DFA should be as detailed and specific as possible.
The DFA understands the sensitive issue concerning an operator filing a complaint against another operator or possibly their employer. The complainant is not required to reveal his or her identity. Those complainants wishing to keep identities confidential will be accommodated to the limits of the law. A confidential complainant will be kept informed on the progress of an investigation and may be requested to testify in front of the State Water Resources Control Board. Anonymous complainants will not need protection, as the investigator will not know the complainant's identity. An anonymous complainant will not be given any informational updates concerning the investigation.