The Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators (ELC) is a mandatory course for all drinking water operators developed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Successful completion of the ELC is needed to upgrade a drinking water Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate to Class 1 certificate.
The course provides new operators with a basic understanding of water characteristics and pathogens, treatment and distribution processes, and the regulations that govern water quality. It is intended to complement the on-the-job training that OIT's receive from their employers.
The ELC is also included in the curriculum of certain environmental programs at several Ontario colleges. Students who graduate from these programs are not required to take the ELC through the WCWC. The following Ontario Colleges have incorporated the Entry-Level Course into their environmental program.
