PADEP Secretary E. Christopher Abruzzo reappointed John R. Ackerman, P.E., P.G., BCEE, F.NSPE to the Certification Program Advisory Committee for Water and Wastewater Operators for his fourth four-year term (2014-2018).  Mr. Ackerman was first appointed to the committee in 2002 and has served as chairman since that time.

CPAC was formed as the Advisory Committee to aid PADEP in the development of the program manual detailing the regulations covering the responsibilities for operators in both the water and wastewater treatment programs.  Its components ranged from how to become a certified operator, the testing required to obtain the operator's certificate, the responsibilities entailed in controlling the treatment systems and the continuing education requirements needed to maintain their operator's certificates.  The committee members reviewed the materials developed by PADEP staff, discussed the materials in quarterly meetings and decided if the materials needed revisions or additions.  All decisions coming from the Advisory Committee were decided by majority vote and recommendations were submitted to the program managers for their review.  After about ten years the program manual was finalized and is now known as the Operator's Handbook.