Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water

Process

Who is Eligible?

This program targets operators of water systems, especially rural communities, housing subdivisions, and mobile home parks. To be eligible an operator must be the primary or backup operator of an eligible water system. List of eligible water systems.

NOTE: Uncertified water operators are only eligible for reimbursement for training courses that are prerequisites for Small Untreated or Treated Water System certification, or Water Treatment or Water Distribution Provisional Level certification.

Pre-Approval

To participate in the Water System Operator Reimbursement Program, all operators must first be pre-approved.

Any trainings completed prior to approval are not eligible for reimbursement.

There are different pre-approval forms, depending on who is requesting reimbursement. Read the questions below and click on the one that applies to you:

Once the Operator Certification Program reviews your Pre-Approval Form, you will be notified of approval or denial to participate in the program. 

Reimbursable Costs

Course Fees

• Only fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursable.
  • No course completion certificate, no course fee reimbursement
  • Reimbursable courses must be completed between July 20, 2024, and June 30, 2025, AND after you have been approved for the program. No exceptions!
• List of Eligible Courses

Travel Costs

• The following are examples of reimbursable travel costs:
  • Airfare
  • Ferry Fares
• The following are examples of travel costs that are NOT reimbursable:
  • Cab Fare
  • Use of Personal Vehicle
  • Rental Car
  • Out-of-State Travel

Lodging Costs

• Only costs for hotel rooms are reimbursable

Not Reimbursable

• This list is not all-inclusive
  • Certification Application Fees
  • Certification Exam Fees
  • Exam Administration Fees
  • Out-of-State Travel
  • Per Diem
  • Meals
  • Cab Fare
  • Use of Personal Vehicle
  • Rental Car
  • Fuel
  • Parking
  • Wastewater Related Courses
  • Courses Considered Non-core

Reimbursement

Operators

• After completing an eligible course and receiving a certificate of completion:
  • Download the Reimbursement Form
    • Fill-in Form with Digital Signature
    • Fill-in Form
    • Printable Form
  • Complete the form, sign it, and scan all copies of receipts and mail or email the form and receipts to the Operator Certification Program
• After receipt of the form and receipts, staff will review all the documents and determine eligibility for reimbursement. Review and payment processing may take up to four to six weeks.

Systems Requesting Reimbursement on Behalf of Their Operators

• After an operator completes an eligible course and receives a certificate of completion:
  • Download the Reimbursement Form
    • Fill-in Form with Digital Signature
    • Fill-in Form
    • Printable Form
  • Complete the form for the operator, sign it, and scan all copies of receipts and mail or email the form and receipts to the Operator Certification Program
• After receipt of the form and receipts, staff will review all the documents and determine eligibility for reimbursement. Review and payment processing may take up to four to six weeks.

All reimbursement must be received or postmarked no later than June 1, 2025, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Operator Certification Program.

A pre-approved operator is eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,000 for the State Fiscal Year 2025 ending June 30, 2025. The Operator Certification Program has up to $150,000 available for reimbursing operators. Once funds are exhausted no additional reimbursement will be processed. 

Questions?

• Autumn Ratzel
• Environmental Program Specialist
• Phone: 907-465-5136
• Email: autumn.ratzel@alaska.gov