I have done some courses, although not for that purpose. You don't need to do any courses to get a operator in training or level 1 water distribution / treatment license. Only a couple of exams, a year of "on the job training" (That must be signed off by someone with alicense class at least 1 level higher then the one you are looking to get).
That's where the rub comes in. In order to get a level 1, you have to work under a level 2 operator. In order for that level 2 operator to retain their status they have to do x number of hours training and another x number of hours with on the job exp. The problem is that the exp they want you to have is only achievable if you work for a municipality, not a private contractor.