Water System Operator Reimbursement Program
Overview
The Water System Operator Reimbursement Program is back for State Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 - June 2026)!
The Operator Reimbursement Program was originally available from SFY2008 to SFY2013 for reimbursing operators for training-related costs.
With the passing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021, funding has been made available for assisting water systems in training their operators. The OpCert Program has available up to $150,000 in FY26 (July 2025 - June 2026) to assist operators in obtaining relevant water-related training by way of reimbursing operators, cities, or utilities for costs associated with training, e.g., course registration fees, airfare, hotel accommodations, etc. Each operator will be allotted up to $2,000 for training cost reimbursements; however, with the limited funds, reimbursements will be processed on a first-come first-served basis.
Funds Available for Reimbursement
Last updated: 7/3/2025
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: Water system operators who already hold water treatment certification are eligible to take any courses from the List of Eligible Courses. 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. Before registering for courses or planning travel, please contact our program if you have any questions about eligibility.
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:
Fill out an operator pre-approval form.
Once you submit the form, the Operator Certification Program will contact you with additional information about how to participate in the program.
Fill out a system pre-approval form.
The completed form must list all operators who will be taking training.
Once you submit the form, the Operator Certification Program will contact you with additional information about how to participate in the program.
Reimbursable Costs
Click on the boxes below to see which costs are reimbursable and which are not.
If you have any questions about whether or not a particular course or travel cost might be reimbursable, please contact our program for clarification before making your arrangements.
- Only fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursable.
- No course completion certificate, no course fee reimbursement
- Reimbursable courses must be completed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, AND after you have been approved for the program. No exceptions!
- List of Eligible Courses
- 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
- Only costs for hotel rooms are reimbursable
- The following costs are non-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
Once an operator has completed an eligible course, documentation must be submitted in order to receive reimbursement.
There are different reimbursement request forms, depending on who is requesting reimbursement. Read the questions below and click on the one that applies to you:
Fill out an operator reimbursement form.
Make sure to attach all copies of travel/lodging receipts and certificates of course completion.
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.
Fill out a system reimbursement form.
Make sure to attach all copies of travel/lodging receipts and certificates of course completion.
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 requests must be received or postmarked no later than June 1, 2026, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Operator Certification Program.
Pre-approved operators are eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,000 for the State Fiscal Year 2026 ending June 30, 2026. The Operator Certification Program has up to $150,000 available for reimbursing operators. Once funds are exhausted no additional reimbursements will be processed.
Questions?
- Ron Crompton
- Environmental Program Specialist
- Phone: 907-465-1195
- Email: ronald.crompton@alaska.gov
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