General Information

Pump Technician Certification

SEPTEMBER 1, 2001 CANADIAN GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATION OF GROUNDWATER PUMP TECHNICIANS

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE FILLING IN THE APPLICATION FORM

The following criteria is the approved Canadian Ground Water Association Certification Program information.

1. CATEGORIES:

The groundwater pump technicians certification will have two categories.

These will be Class 1 Groundwater Pump Technicians of pumps larger than 2 horsepower and of single or three phase design. Class 2: Pump Installation from fractional horsepower's up to 2 horsepower, single phase only. Applicants must write and pass the Class 2 examination before they can write for the Class 1.

The examination for pump installers in either class shall include a section of general knowledge on ground water and wells. This section will constitute approximately 30% of the examination.

Educational resources for individuals who want or need to upgrade are listed below. The Canadian Ground Water Association also recommends the learning resources in the water well training programs offered by: Sir Sandford Fleming Community College. Lindsay, Ontario, and Red Deer College, Red Deer, Alberta.

2. CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION:

Pump Installer:

To write the examination the applicant must provide and meet the following requirements:

1. Groundwater drilling technicians, plumbers or electricians, who are journeyman in their respective trade, will be allowed to write, upon application and payment of fee, the CGWA groundwater pump technician certification examination.
   
   Any other individual other than a journeyman must have proof of 2 years (3600 hours) of field experience in groundwater pump installation. The proof of time may be by affidavit, statutory declaration from an employer or a provincial regulatory agency and after the program is established from other certified groundwater pump technician.
2. The pass mark on either a Class 1 or Class 2 examination shall be 70%. The applicant must write and pass the Class 2 examination before they can write the Class 1 examination.
3. In the case of an applicant not attaining the 70% mark the applicant will be allowed to rewrite after a 90 day period has elapsed. (NOTE: This will allow the applicant time to make use of education learning resources available to the industry.)
4. Fee structure for pump installer certification examinations:
   1. For members and associate/affiliate members of provincial ground water/water well associations that are members of the Canadian Ground Water Association the fee shall be $100.00 plus GST/HST per examination.
   2. Non-members are not considered eligible.
   3. Re-write examinations will be subject to the same fee schedule.
5. To maintain CGWA certification individuals must:
   1. Accumulate 15 points per year of technical upgrading in the form of seminars, lectures, or workshops. Annual groundwater convention workshops, lectures, or technical sessions, and pump company seminars will be considered as appropriate means of acquiring annual technical upgrading points.
   2. Certified groundwater pump technicians must become and maintain full or associate/affiliate members/membership in their respective provincial groundwater association that are members of the Canadian Ground Water Association in order to maintain the CGWA certification.
   3. Certified individuals who do not maintain their technical upgrading or do not maintain full or associate/affiliate membership shall after a lapse period of two (2) years be required to reapply to be re-certified.
   4. Renewal fee of $10.00 (plus GST/HST).

3. TECHNICAL UPGRADING:

1. The CGWA will provide an appropriate form to each certified groundwater drilling technician which must be completed and returned on an annual basis to the CGWA head office indicating that the individual has attended or participated in presentations to acquire the necessary points.
2. One hour of attendance/presentation at a seminar, lecture or workshop equals 2 points.
3. Topics that will be considered relevant to maintain/acquire the 15 points on an annual basis:
   • Any matter or subject relating to safety such as: First Aid/CPR/WHMIS, etc.
   • Provincial or national groundwater convention technical sessions, workshops or trade shows.
   • Groundwater associations educational seminars.
   • Pump company presentations and seminars.
   • Lecturing and presentations to interested groups on groundwater, wells, pumps, safety, new equipment.

4. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

All individuals who are presently journeyman water well drillers and recognized as such by their provincial regulatory or advanced education agency, upon application and payment of a $100.00 fee, will be given the Canadian Ground Water Association Certification of groundwater drilling technician, provided they are a full or associate/affiliate member of their respective provincial ground water/water well association that are members of the Canadian Ground Water Association.

This part of the program will be terminated December 31, 2001. As of January 1, 2002, everyone will have to write the groundwater drilling technician examination.

To maintain the CGWA Certification they must maintain the membership requirement and the 15 points of annual technical upgrading will apply.