County OKs Fees for Water Quality Training

On a unanimous vote, Washtenaw County commissioners gave initial approval to setting a $75 fee for the county’s training course to certify drinking water operators. The action came at the board’s March 6, 2013 meeting. There was no discussion on this item. A final vote is expected on March 20.

Entities with drinking water supplies or places that use certain water treatment processes – like factories or schools – are required by the state to have certified operators. Until the end of 2013, the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) reimbursed local health departments that offered these training courses, paying $75 for each certified operator who attended. Those funds will no longer be provided. The Washtenaw County public health department plans to continue offering the courses, but now needs to charge for this service.

If given final approval, the new fee would take effect on April 1, 2013.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main St. in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]