216-RICR-50-05-5
216-RICR-50-05-5. Certification of Public Drinking Water Supply Treatment and Public Water Supply Transmission and Distribution Operators (version Amendment, 07/28/2005 to 12/10/2012)
RULES AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE
CERTIFICATION OF PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
TREATMENT AND PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION OPERATORS
[R23-65-DWQ]
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Office of Drinking Water Quality
December 1995 (E)
As Amended:
April 1996 (E)
July 1996
May 2001
January 2002 (re-filing in accordance with
the provisions of section 42-35-4.1 of the
Rhode Island General Laws, as amended)
July 2005
i
INTRODUCTION
These Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Certification of Public Drinking Water Supply Treatment
and Public Water Supply Transmission and Distribution Operators are promulgated pursuant to the authority
set forth in Chapter 23-65 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, and are established for the
purpose of adopting minimum standards pertaining to operators of drinking water supply facilities and
systems.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 42-35-3(c) of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, the
following were given consideration in arriving at these regulations: (1) alternative approaches; (2) duplication
or overlap with other state regulations; and (3) significant economic impact placed on small business as
defined by Chapter 42-35 of the General Laws which would result from these regulations. No alternative
approach, duplication or overlap was identified based on available information. The health, safety and welfare
of the citizens of the state override any economic impact which may result from these new regulations.
Consequently, these rules and regulations are adopted in the best interest of the health and safety of the public.
These Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Certification of Public Drinking Water Supply Treatment
and Public Water Supply Transmission and Distribution Operators shall supersede all previous rules and
regulations pertaining to the certification of public drinking water treatment and transmission and distribution
operators promulgated by the Department of Health and filed with the Secretary of State.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sections
Page
1.0
Definitions
1
2.0
Board of Certification
3
3.0
Powers & Duties of the Director
3
4.0
Mandatory Certification of Public Water Supply Treatment Operators
3
5.0
Mandatory Certification of Public Water Supply Transmission & Distribution System Operators
4
6.0
Classification of Water Supply Treatment Facilities & Water Supply Transmission
and Distribution Facilities
5
7.0
Classification & Qualifications of Water Supply Treatment & Water Supply Transmission &
Distribution Operators
6
8.0
Certification
8
9.0
Application
10
10.0
Examinations
11
11.0
Renewals
11
12.0
Approval of Operator Training Courses
12
13.0
Disciplinary Actions
15
14.0
Administrative Procedures
15
15.0
Severability
16
Appendix "A"
17
1
Section 1.0
Definitions
Wherever used in these rules and regulations, the following terms shall be construed as follows:
1.1
“Assistant superintendent” means the individual who is an operator who is responsible for the
management, operation and maintenance of a water supply treatment facility or water
transmission and distribution system in the absence of the superintendent and who shall have a
full certificate appropriate to the type and grade of the water treatment facility or water
transmission and distribution system.
1.2
“Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)” means an international organization of
environmental certification boards which is a not for profit corporation incorporated in the State
of Iowa.
1.3
“Board” means the Board of Certification established by section 23-65-2 of the Rhode Island
General Laws.
1.4
“Certificate” means a certificate of competency issued by the Director to an individual to operate
one or more specified classes of public water supply facilities.
1.5
“Community water supply” means any public water supply, which serves at least 15 service
connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.
1.6
“Contact hour” means the one (1) hour actually spent in an instruction/training session. In
calculating the number of contact hours for a session, the time used for refreshment breaks,
lunches and other activities not directly part of the instructional experience shall be subtracted
from the total number of hours in the session.
1.7
One “continuing education unit (CEU)” equals ten (10) contact hours of training or instruction.
1.8
“Director” means the Director of the Department of Health or a subordinate to whom the
Director has assigned his or her functions.
1.9
“Full Certification” means certification obtained pursuant to any one of sections 8.1 through 8.4
of these regulations.
1.10
“Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water” means any water beneath the surface
of the ground with (1) significant occurrence of insects or other microorganisms, algae, or large
diameter pathogens such as Giardia lamblia, or (2) significant and relatively rapid shifts in water
characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH which closely correlate to
climatological or surface water conditions.
1.11
“In Charge of a Shift” means on-site responsibility of an operating shift.
1.12
“In Responsible Charge of any Field Operations” means the supervision of any field operations
of any operating shift on a day to day basis. Operators in responsible charge are not required to
be on-site.
1.13
“Lowest grade of certification” means a class 1 certification for class 1 through 4 systems and a
class VSS certification for class VSS water systems.
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1.14
“Non-Community Water System” means a public water system that is not a community water
system.
1.15
“Non-community Non-Transient Water System” means a non-community water system that
regularly serves at least twenty –five (25) of the same persons over six(6) months per year.
1.16
“Operational Activities” are those involving the maintenance, repair, replacement or installation
of components of operational public water supply treatment and distribution systems, that may
directly impact the quality or quantity of drinking water.
1.17
“Operational”, as it relates to public water supply treatment and distribution facilities, means the
part or parts that are performing or able to perform (ready for or in a condition to undertake) a
destined function.
1.18
"Operator" means an individual employed at a water treatment facility or transmission and
distribution system whose routine job duties involve performing operational activities or making
decisions regarding the daily operational activities of a public water treatment facility and/or
transmission and distribution system, that may directly impact the quality and/or quantity of
drinking water. "Operator" does not apply to an official exercising only general administrative
supervision or engineering design duties, such as the city engineer or an elected water
commissioner, or clerical or administrative workers involved only in activities such as customer
relations, billing, payroll, time keeping, etc. The term "operator", as used in these regulations,
does not apply to individuals whose only responsibility is to install and/or read meters.
1.19
“Operator-in-Training” means an applicant who has passed a certification examination, but who
does not meet the experience requirements specified in section 7.0 of these regulations for the
grade of examination passed. Individuals holding this type of certification may not make
decisions regarding the daily operational activities of a public water treatment facility and/or
transmission and distribution system, that may directly impact the quality and/or quantity of
drinking water unless said decision is made in consultation with an operator holding a full
certificate of the appropriate type and grade who must be on-site or able to be contacted as
needed.
1.20
“Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, public or private
corporation, trust estate, commission, board, public or private institution, utility, cooperative,
municipality or any other political subdivision of this State, any interstate body, or any other legal
entity.
1.21
“Public water supply” means a system for the provisions to the public of piped water for human
consumption, if such system has at least fifteen (15) service connections or regularly serves at
least twenty five (25) individuals at least sixty (60) days out of the year.
1.22
“Superintendent” means the individual who is an operator who is directly responsible for the
management, operation and maintenance of a water supply treatment facility or water
transmission and distribution system during all working shifts and who shall hold a full certificate
appropriate to the type and grade of the water treatment facility or water transmission and
distribution system.
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1.23
“Transmission and distribution system” means a network of pipes that transports, distributes and
delivers water from a water treatment facility or well(s) to water system customers.
1.24
“Water supply treatment facility” means an arrangement of devices, equipment and structures
constructed and/or installed for the purpose of the treatment of a water supply.
Section 2.0
Board of Certification
2.1
The Board shall have all the powers and duties specified in section 23-65-3 of the Rhode Island
General Laws, as amended.
2.2
All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance with Chapter 42-46 of the
Rhode Island General Laws.
2.3
The Board shall meet at least quarterly. The chairperson of the Board may call special meetings
if in his/her judgment circumstances require it. Special meetings may also be called on petition
of three (3) members of the Board.
2.4
A quorum for the conduct of business at any meeting of the Board shall consist of four (4)
members. Three (3) members of the Board at a regular or special meeting may receive and
review reports, applications and other correspondence.
2.5
Majority Vote of the Board means the majority of the membership.
2.6
The Board shall elect annually, by majority vote, one (1) chairperson, one (1) vice chairperson,
and one (1) secretary.
2.7
The term of office of the Board Members shall be as provided in section 23-65-2(b) of the Rhode
Island General Laws, as amended.
2.8
The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board, shall sign all official documents of the
Board, and shall act as the spokesperson for the Board. In the absence of the chairperson, the
vice chairperson shall preside at meetings and perform all duties usually performed by the
chairperson.
Section 3.0
Powers and Duties of the Director
3.1
The Director shall have all the powers and duties specified in section 23-65-4 of the Rhode Island
General Laws, as amended.
Section 4.0
Mandatory Certification of Public Water Supply Treatment Operators
4.1
It shall be unlawful for any public water supply system using surface water or groundwater under
the direct influence of surface water as determined by the Director, or any community or non-
community non-transient water supply to supply water for human consumption unless the
treatment of such water is under the supervision of a superintendent or assistant superintendent
who is assigned direct responsibility for the management, operation, and maintenance of the
water supply treatment facility during all working shifts and who shall hold a full certificate equal
to the grade or classification of the water supply treatment facility, as established by these
regulations.
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4.2
Each operator in charge of a shift at a public water supply system using surface water or
groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, as determined by the Director, or any
community or non-community non transient water supply must hold a certificate no less than one
(1) grade below the classification of the treatment facility.
4.3
In addition to sections 4.1 and 4.2 above, all persons employed to work as operators at a public
water supply system using surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface
water, as determined by the Director, or any community or non-community non transient water
supply must be certified to at least the lowest grade of treatment plant operation certification
within a year of hire into such position.
4.4
Individuals holding operator-in-training certifications may not make decisions regarding the daily
operational activities of public water treatment and/or transmission and distribution facilities, that
may directly impact the quality and/or quantity of drinking water unless said decision is made in
consultation with an operator holding a full certificate of the appropriate type and grade who must
be on-site or able to be contacted as needed.
4.5
Individuals employed by private entities to repair, replace or install components of operational
water supply treatment facilities must be under the supervision of a fully certified operator
employed at that water supply treatment facility.
4.6
Violation of this section shall be considered a violation of the public drinking water supply under
Chapter 46-13 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended and water systems shall be subject to
the enforcement and penalty provisions of section 46-13-16 of the General Laws.
Section 5.0
Mandatory Certification of Public Water Supply Transmission and Distribution System
Operators
5.1
It shall be unlawful for any community or non-community non-transient public water supply
transmission and distribution system to distribute water for human consumption unless the
operation of the system is under the supervision of a superintendent or assistant superintendent
who is assigned direct responsibility for the management, operation, and maintenance of the
transmission and distribution water system during all working shifts and who shall hold a full
certificate equal to the grade or classification of the transmission and distribution facility, as
established by these regulations.
5.2
Each person in responsible charge of any field operations of a community or non-community
non-transient public water supply transmission and distribution facility must hold a certificate no
less than one (1) grade lower than the grade of the transmission and distribution facility, as
established by these regulations.
5.3
In addition to sections 5.1 and 5.2 above, all persons employed to work as operators at a
community or non-community non-transient public water supply transmission and distribution
facility must be certified to at least the lowest grade of distribution certification within a year of
hire into such position.
5.4
Individuals holding operator-in-training certifications may not make decisions regarding the daily
operational activities of public water treatment and/or transmission and distribution facilities, that
may directly impact the quality and/or quantity of drinking water unless said decision is made in
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consultation with an operator holding a full certificate of the appropriate type and grade who must
be on-site or able to be contacted as needed.
5.5
Individuals employed by private entities to repair, replace or install components of operational
water supply transmission and distribution facilities must be under the supervision of a fully
certified operator employed at that water supply transmission and distribution system.
5.6
Violation of this section shall be considered a violation of the public drinking water supply under
Chapter 46-13 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended and water systems shall be subject to
the enforcement and penalty provisions of section 46-13-16 of the General Laws.
Section 6.0
Classification of Water Supply Treatment Facilities and Water Supply Transmission and
Distribution Facilities
6.1
Public water supply treatment and public water supply transmission and distribution facilities
classified in any class may be classified in a higher class at the discretion of the Board, by reason of
the existence of unusual operating conditions.
6.2
Classification of any water supply treatment or water supply distribution facility may be changed due
to changes in any condition or circumstances under which the original classification was given. Due
notice of any such change shall be given to the owner of the facility. Sufficient time shall be given to
such system to obtain the required certifications.
6.3
Water supply treatment facilities and water supply transmission and distribution facilities shall be
classified as very small water system, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4, with 4 being the largest
and most complex, in accordance with the following classification system.
6.3.1
Water supply treatment facilities shall be classified according to the following point system:
Class VSST
less than10 points
Class 1T
10 - 30 points
Class 2T
31 - 55 points
Class 3T
56 - 75 points
Class 4T
76 points and greater
Points shall be assigned to each plant according to the schedule in Appendix “A”.
6.3.1.1 For purposes of certification, sources without treatment, such as pumping only, shall
be considered to be a distribution system and not a treatment facility.
6.3.2
Water supply distribution and transmission facilities shall be classified according to the
population served. The classifications are as follows:
Class VSSD
less than 500 persons served
Class 1D
500 - 1,500 persons served
Class 2D
1,501 - 15,000 persons served
Class 3D
15,001 - 40,000 persons served
Class 4D
40,001 + persons served
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Section 7.0
Classification and Qualifications of Water Supply Treatment and Water Supply
Transmission and Distribution Operators
7.1
All applicants for Full Certification shall meet the following educational and experience requirements
for the grade of certification applied for as shown below. The experience requirements shall be in the
same field (treatment or transmission and distribution) as the type of certificate for which the
applicant is applying. Applicants for Operator-in-Training certification shall meet the following
minimal educational requirements for the grade of certification applied for as shown below.
7.2
Grade VSS Treatment (VSST)
7.2.1
High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) calendar months of acceptable operating
experience at a Class VSST or higher drinking water supply treatment facility. Experience or
relevant training may be used to satisfy the educational requirement (i.e. Six (6) calendar
months of acceptable operating experience or Six (6) contact hours of on the job, in the field
training or 0.6 Continuing Education Units of education in the operation of a very small
water system that shall satisfy the educational requirement). Experience and training used to
satisfy the educational requirement may not be used to satisfy the operating experience
requirement.
7.3
Grade VSS Distribution (VSSD)
7.3.1
High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) calendar months of acceptable operating
experience at a Class VSSD or higher drinking water supply distribution facility. Experience
or relevant training may be used to satisfy the educational requirement (i.e. Six (6) calendar
months of acceptable operating experience or Six (6) contact hours of on the job, in the field
training or 0.6 Continuing Education Units of education in the operation of a very small
water system shall satisfy the educational requirement). Experience and training used to
satisfy the educational requirement may not be used to satisfy the operating experience
requirement.
7.4
Grade 1 Treatment (1T)
7.4.1
High school diploma (or equivalent) and six (6) months full-time experience as an operator at
a Class 1T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility.
7.5
Grade 1 Distribution (1D)
7.5.1
High school diploma (or equivalent) and six (6) months full-time experience as an operator at
a Class 1D (or higher) drinking water supply distribution facility.
7.6
Grade 2 Treatment (2T)
7.6.1
Possession of a Grade 1T Full certification with full-time experience as an operator at a class
1T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility for one (1) additional year after
certification; or
7.6.2
High school diploma (or equivalent) and two (2) years full-time experience as an operator at
a Class 1T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility.
7.7
Grade 2 Distribution (2D)
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7.7.1
Possession of a Grade 1D Full certification with full-time experience as an operator at a class
1D (or higher) drinking water supply distribution facility for one (1) additional year after
certification; or
7.7.2
High school diploma (or equivalent) and two (2) years full-time experience as an operator at
a class 1D (or higher) drinking water distribution facility.
7.8
Grade 3 Treatment (3T)
7.8.1
Possession of a Grade 2T Full certification with full-time experience as an operator at a Class
2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility for an additional two (2) years after
certification; or
7.8.2
High school diploma (or equivalent) and four (4) years full-time experience as an operator at
a class 2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility; or
7.8.3
An Associate’s Degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and two (2) years full-time
experience as an operator at a class 2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility. (Degree
shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public health,
biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
7.8.4
A Bachelor's degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and one (1) year full-time
experience as an operator at a class 2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility. (Degree
shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public health,
biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board)
7.9
Grade 3 Distribution (3D)
7.9.1
Possession of a Grade 2D Full certification with full-time experience as an operator at a
Class 2D (or higher) drinking water distribution facility for an additional two (2) years after
certification; or
7.9.2
High school diploma (or equivalent) and four (4) years full-time experience as an operator at
a class 2D (or higher) drinking water distribution facility; or
7.9.3
An Associate’s degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and two (2) years full-time
experience as an operator at a class 2D (or higher) drinking water distribution facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
7.9.4
A Bachelor's degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and one (1) year full-time
experience as an operator at a class 2D (or higher) drinking water distribution facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board)
7.10
Grade 4 Treatment (4T)
7.10.1 An Associate’s Degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and four (4) years full time
experience as an operator at a class 3T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
8
7.10.2 A Bachelor's degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and two (2) years full-time
experience as an operator at a class 3T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
7.10.3 Have been employed at a Rhode Island public water supply treatment facility of Class 3T (or
higher) and possess a grade 3T Full Certification with five (5) years continuous full-time
experience as an operator at a class 3T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility
and have completed a minimum of 14 semester credits of post high school education in the
physical and/or biological sciences including chemistry, math, biology or other related
disciplines acceptable to the Board.
7.11
Grade 4 Distribution (4D)
7.11.1 An Associate’s Degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and four (4) years full time
experience as an operator at a class 3D (or higher) drinking water supply distribution facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
7.11.2 A Bachelor's degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and two (2) years full-time
experience as an operator at a class 3D (or higher) drinking water supply distribution facility.
(Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public
health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
7.11.3 Have been employed at a Rhode Island public water supply distribution facility of Class 3D
(or higher) and possess a grade 3D Full certification with five (5) years continuous full-time
experience as an operator at a class 3D (or higher) drinking water supply distribution facility.
Section 8.0
Certification
8.1
Full Certification for Grades VSS - 4 by Examination
8.1.1
An applicant seeking full certification for Grades VSS through 4 by examination must meet
all the minimum qualifications outlined in section 7.0 of these regulations for the certification
type and grade for which he/she is seeking before he/she will be allowed to take the
examination. If the applicant passes the examination to the satisfaction of the Board, the
Board shall grant the applicant Full Certification which will be in effect for three (3) years
from issuance and may be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these regulations.
8.2
Full Certification by Reciprocity
8.2.1
Full certificates may be issued, (upon application) without examination, in a comparable
classification to any individual who holds a certificate issued by any state, territory or
possession of the United States, any country, if in the judgment of the Board, the
requirements for certification of operators under which such certification was issued are
equivalent to the requirements herein.
9
8.2.2
At the time of application, applicants must be in good standing with the state in which the
original certificate was issued, including having completed the continuing educational
requirements on a prorated basis.
8.2.3
A certificate issued under the provisions of section 8.2 is valid at any water system of that
grade or classification as specified by the Board.
8.2.4
Certificates issued under section 8.2 shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years at
which time they may be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these regulations.
8.3
Full Certification by Grandfathering
8.3.1
Grandfathered certificates shall become null and void upon the classification of the water
system changing or the termination of the operator’s employment.
8.3.2
Certificates granted under section 8.3 will be in effect for three years from issuance and may
be renewed in accordance with section 11.0.
8.3.3
Certificates granted under section 8.3 shall be issued to a particular individual for a particular
water system.
8.4
Prior Certification
8.4.1
Operator certification for operators of drinking water treatment facilities acquired by
examination in the State of Rhode Island prior to January 1, 1996 shall remain in effect. Such
certificates shall remain in effect for two (2) years from the date that these Rules and
Regulations are adopted and may be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these
regulations. Upon renewal, certificates will remain in effect for a period of three (3) years
and may be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these regulations.
8.5
Provisional Certification
8.5.1
If a water system does not have a certified operator as specified in sections 4 and 5 of these
regulations and if the Board determines that this is due to reasons beyond the water systems’
control, the Board may grant a provisional operator status to an operator. The water system
must submit a request in writing, which indicates the reasons for not having a qualified
operator together with an application and supporting education/experience credentials of the
proposed applicant.
8.5.2
Provisional certification shall be issued to a particular individual for a particular water
system.
8.5.3
Provisional certification issued pursuant to section 8.5.1 of these regulations shall be in effect
for a period of no longer than one (1) year during which time the water system must be
actively looking for a certified operator.
8.6
Operator-in-Training Certification
8.6.1
An applicant seeking certification as an Operator-in-Training must meet all of the minimum
qualifications outlined in section 7.0 herein except for the full-time employment and/or full
time experience requirements for the certification type and grade for which he/she is seeking
10
before he/she will be allowed to take the examination. If the applicant passes the
examination to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board shall issue the applicant a certification
as an Operator-in-Training. Upon satisfactory completion of the required full time
employment and/or full time experience for the certification type and grade for which the
operator in training is certified, and upon application to the Board, full certification shall be
granted.
8.6.2
Operator-in-training certificates will only be issued for Grades VSS through 3 treatment and
transmission/distribution.
8.6.3
Certificates issued under section 8.6 will be in effect for two (2) years from issuance and may
be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these regulations.
Section 9.0
Application
9.1
Applications for certification by grandfathering under section 8.3 of these regulations must include
official detailed job descriptions for all operators seeking certification. Job descriptions should be
specific with respect to duties relating to water system treatment and/or transmission and distribution.
9.2
An operator desiring to be certified shall file an application, on a form provided by the Board, which
must be received by the Board or postmarked at least forty-five (45) calendar days preceding the date
of the examination.
9.3
The Board shall review applications and supporting documents, determine the eligibility of the
applicant for examination and promptly notify the applicant, in writing, of the same.
9.4
The action of the Board shall be recorded both in the minutes of the meeting and upon the face of the
application.
9.5
A fee will be charged to each applicant submitting an application to the Board, and shall be of an
amount determined by the Board to cover the cost of the examination [but not more than fifty dollars
($50.00)] and shall be submitted with the application form. This fee shall be refundable if the
applicant is deemed not qualified to take the examination by the Board. Otherwise, the fee shall be
non-refundable.
9.6
No member of the Board during his/her tenure shall permit his/her name to be used as a reference in
connection with the filing of an application for certification as an operator of a drinking water supply
facility.
9.7
Applications for certification as operators shall be mailed or delivered to: Board of Certification of
Operators for Water Supply Facilities, Cannon Building, Room 209, Three Capitol Hill, Providence,
Rhode Island 02908-5097.
9.8
No application will be considered complete unless accompanied by required fee(s) and until all
required supporting documents have been received by the board.
9.9
Each applicant shall be required to demonstrate his/her eligibility by submitting in support of his/her
formal application authentic proof of the statements made therein by attaching documentary evidence,
affidavits, registrar's statements, diploma's, published data, photographs, or other sworn or proven
evidence. The Board reserves the right to retain, as a permanent part of the application, any or all
11
documents submitted which shall be properly marked for identification and ownership. Original
documents may be replaced by photocopies of such documents, however, at the request and expense
of the applicant.
9.10
Personal appearances before the Board, if required shall be at the time and place designated by the
Board. Failure to provide additional evidence or information within the time specified, or to appear
before the Board when such appearance is deemed necessary by the Board, may be considered just
and sufficient cause for disapproval of the application.
Section 10.0
Examinations
10.1
The Board shall administer the examination prepared by the Association of Boards of Certification
(ABC).
10.1.1 The Board shall determine the passing score.
10.2
Examinations shall be held at least twice per year at a time and place designated by the Board.
10.3
Examinees will be allowed as many attempts as necessary to pass a certification exam during the
twelve(12) months following entry into a position which requires a particular level of certification;
thereafter, they will be allowed to sit for a particular exam once annually.
Section 11.0
Renewal
11.1
Operators shall be sent renewal notices approximately sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of their
current certification. If an operator fails to renew by the expiration date of their current certificate,
he/she may still submit a renewal application up to six (6) months after the expiration date. Any
operator allowing this grace period to expire must meet all minimum experience, training and
examination requirements to become re-certified.
11.2
To renew any grade or classification of certificate, the applicant shall have been actively working in
the area of his/her certification for at least twenty percent (20%) of the time.
11.3
As a prerequisite to certificate renewal, an applicant must complete the number of continuing
training/education contact hours related to drinking supply treatment and/or transmission and
distribution specified below and which are acceptable to the Board. Courses approved for training
contact hour credit may be used for renewal a maximum of one time during any renewal period.
11.4
Contact Hours Required [(one (1) continuing education unit (CEU) equals ten (10) contact hours)]:
Two Year Renewal Period (OIT)
Three Year Renewal Period (Full)
Class VSS
2 hours
3 hours
Class I
10 hours
15 hours
Class II
10 hours
15 hours
Class III
20 hours
30 hours
Class IV
20 hours
30 hours
11.5
Applicants must complete 50% or more of their required training contact hours in technical areas
directly related to the operations of the water system employing them and may complete no more than
25% each, in the areas of health/safety and supervisory skills.
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11.6
Failure to meet these requirements or to furnish the required information shall constitute grounds for
refusal to renew.
Section 12.0
Approval of Operator Training Courses
12.1
This section outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining Board approval to award training
contact hours for drinking water operator certification courses to be used towards meeting the
certification renewal requirements. All applications for approval should be submitted to the Board a
minimum of ninety (90) days prior to the date the training is to occur.
There are four methods in which a training program may be approved by the Board to issue
training credits to be used towards certification renewal:
1. The individual or organization conducting training has been approved by the Board to issue
training contact hours for a specific training course.
2. The organization conducting the training has had their training program approved by the
Board for issuing training contact hours.
3. The training program or specific training is cosponsored or sanctioned by an organization
which has had their training program approved by the Board for conducting training and
issuing training contact hours towards certification renewal.
4. The organization conducting the training is an accredited college or university and the course
is in a drinking water supply related field.
12.2
Criteria for the Approval of a Specific Training Course
Any individual or organization wishing approval to conduct a renewal training course for water supply
operators shall submit the following to the Board for review:
12.2.1 the date, location of the training and description of the training facility;
12.2.2 the name, address and telephone number of person(s) to contact regarding the training;
12.2.3 the course outline showing the topic(s) to be presented and time allotted for each (including
beginning and ending times).
12.2.4 the criteria for determining the successful completion of the course;
12.2.5 a copy of the instruction materials, including a copy of handouts, overheads, videotapes, etc.
if appropriate.
12.2.6 the name, address, and background information or resume of instructor(s) which shows the
instructor’s competence in the subject matter and ability to communicate the program content
at an appropriate level;
12.2.7 instructors affiliation with the drinking water field;
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12.3
A copy of the certificate of completion being issued to the attendees containing the following
information:
12.3.1 attendee’s name;
12.3.2 name of course;
12.3.3 renewal credits issued:
12.3.4 date the course was held:
12.3.5 name of the course instructor and affiliation.
12.4
A copy of the attendance roster to be used containing the following information:
12.4.1 name of the course;
12.4.2 training contact hours to be issued;
12.4.3 date the course was held;
12.4.4 location of the course;
12.4.5 name of course instructor(s);
12.4.6 names of the attendees and certificate numbers
12.5
Number of contact hours to be issued;
12.5.1 Contact hours are based upon actual contact time in the training. All breaks and meal times
must be noted on the agenda and will not count toward contact hours.
12.5.2 No credit will be given prior to the completion of any training course.
12.5.3 Participants must attend and stay for the entire session to complete the program satisfactorily.
The completion date of a multi-day course is the last day of the course.
12.5.4 Contact hours will be issued in increments of one-half (0.5) hours. Any approved training
issuing continuing education units (CEUs) will be given credit at the rate of ten (10) contact
hours per one (1.0) CEU.
12.6
Once a course has been approved, the course information does not have to be resubmitted for
subsequent sessions of that course provided that there are no major changes in the course content,
time allotted, instructor or material used. Any revisions must be submitted to the Board ninety (90)
days in advance of any subsequent sessions of an approved course.
12.7
Approved courses may be used for training contact hour credit a maximum of one time during any
renewal Period.
12.8
The Board will grant credit for a particular course retroactively if the course is approved within six
(6) months of the date it is taken.
Criteria for the Approval of Training Programs
12.9
Organizations involved in a drinking water supply related field conducting training may apply to the
Board for approval of their training program. If granted, this approval will allow the organization to
issue training contact hours for training courses without individual course pre-approval.
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12.10
To obtain training program approval, the organization must submit to the Board for review their
training criteria which should include the following information:
12.10.1 a mission statement that outlines the functions, structure, processes, and philosophy
which guides the operations of the continuing education of training program;
12.10.2 a policy to insure the instructor(s) competence in the subject matter and ability to
communicate the program content at an appropriate level;
12.10.3 a written policy for determining the successful completion of a training course;
12.10.4 a written policy on maintaining records, preparing attendance rosters and issuing
certificates of completion. Reference sections 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10 of this policy;
12.11
Any organization obtaining approval for its entire program must provide an annual training
curriculum including a brief description of each course proposed to be offered during the upcoming
year to the Board by the end of the preceding calendar year. The descriptions must include the
number of training contact hours to be issued for each training course.
12.12
Any changes or modifications to the information submitted to the Board for training program
approval shall be submitted to the Board for review and approval ninety (90) days before the date of
the training.
Sanctioned or Co-Sponsored Training
12.13
Training, seminars, or workshops conducted by individuals may issue credits towards certification
renewal if their training courses are cosponsored or sanctioned by an organization that has had their
training program approved by the Board. The credits shall be jointly issued with the sanctioning or
co-sponsoring organization. The co- sponsoring or sanctioned organization must ensure that both the
administrative and program criteria are followed for issuing training contact hours to be used towards
certificate renewal. Permanent records for each participant who successfully completes the training
must be established and maintained by the organization co-sponsoring or sanctioning the training.
If not specified by the association, the number of training contact hours issued for approved
conferences and symposiums held by the American Water Works Association, New England Water
Works Association, and Rhode Island Water Works Association shall be equal to the number of hours
attended with a maximum of five (5) contact hours per day.
University and College Courses
12.14
Courses taken in a drinking water related field at an accredited college or university can be approved
for credit towards the renewal training requirements. Courses should be in the areas of sanitary, civil,
chemical or environmental engineering, environmental science, public health, biology, chemistry,
mathematics or other drinking water related fields. Course credits will be approved at the rate of one
(1) semester credit hour is equivalent to fifteen (15) training contact hours.
12.15
To ensure that a course will be approved by the Board for credit towards the renewal training
requirements, the operator should request approval, in writing, ninety (90) days prior to the start of
the course. The request should include the following:
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12.15.1 name of college or university offering course;
12.15.2 title of the course;
12.15.3 copy of the course material to be covered;
12.15.4 date the course is to be taken;
12.15.5 number of semester credit hours to be issued;
12.16
Credit will only be given for the successful completion of the course with a passing grade as
determined by the college or university.
Section 13.0
Disciplinary Actions
13.1
The Board may revoke, suspend or otherwise discipline the holder of a certificate issued under these
regulations when it is found that the individual performed his/her duties in a negligent manner that
produced a supply below standards normal for the particular facility operated; or that he/she has
practiced fraud or deception; or that reasonable care, judgment or the application of this knowledge
or ability was not used in the performance of his/her duties or that an individual is incompetent or
unable to perform his/her duties in violation of Chapter 46-13 or regulations promulgated pursuant to
46-13.
Section 14.0
Administrative Procedures
14.1
All hearings and appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the “Administrative Procedures Act”,
Chapter 42-35 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended.
Section 15.0
Severability
15.1
If any provisions of these rules and regulations or the application thereof to any person or
circumstance is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the rules and
regulations shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any
section or sections shall not affect the validity of the remainder of these rules and regulations.
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APPENDIX “A"
WATER TREATMENT PLANT CLASSIFICATION
Notes on classifying treatment plants:
Each unit process should have points assigned only once. ( i.e., for a plant using oxidation, precipitation and
filtration for iron removal, add ten (10) points for the iron removal only and nothing for filtration).
The points rating scale for water treatment plants is:
ITEM
POINTS
Size (2 to 20 points total)
Maximum population served, peak day (1 to 10)*
1 pt. per 10,000 or part
Design flow, average day or peak month’s average day,
whichever is larger (1 to 10)*
1 pt. per MGD or part
Water Supply Source (3 to 18)
Groundwater
3
Surface water
5
Average raw water quality (0 to 10)**
Little or no variation
0
Raw water quality (other than turbidity) varies
2
enough to require treatment changes approximately 10 % of the time
Raw water quality (turbidity) varies severely
5
enough to require pronounced and/or very frequent treatment changes
Raw water quality subject to periodic serious
10
industrial waste pollution
Aeration
2
Packed tower aeration
6
pH adjustment
4
Stability or corrosion control
4
Taste and odor control
8
Color control
4
Iron or iron/manganese removal
10
Ion exchange softening
10
Chemical precipitation softening
20
Coagulant addition
4
Flocculation
6
Sedimentation
5
Upflow clarification
14
Filtration
10
Fluoridation
5
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ITEM
POINTS
Disinfection (0 to 10)***
No disinfection
0
Chlorination or comparable
5
On-site generation of disinfectant
5
Gaseous chlorine
5
Special process (including reverse osmosis, electrodialysis)
15
Sludge/backwash water disposal (0 to 5)
No disposal to raw water source to sewer or off watershed)
0
Any disposal to raw water source supernatant discharge to reservoir)
2
Any disposal to plant raw water
5
Laboratory control (0 to 20)****
Bacteriological/biological (0 to 10)
Lab work done outside of plant
0
Membrane filter procedures
3
Use of fermentation tubes or any dilution method;
5
fecal coliform determination
Biological identification
7
Viral studies of similarly complex work done on site
10
Chemical/physical (0 to 10)
Lab work done outside the plant
0
Push button or colorimetric methods for simple tests,
3
such as chlorine residual, pH
Additional procedures such as titration jar tests, alkalinity, hardness
5
More advanced determinations such as numerous inorganics
7
Highly sophisticated instrumentation such as atomic
10
absorption and gas chromatography
*
Maximum of 10 points
** The key concept is the variation or change in the quality of the raw water source with point values ranging
from 0 to 10.
*** For disinfectants, such as ozone, chlorine dioxide or chloramines, assign 5 points for chlorination or
comparable and 5 points for on-site generation of disinfectant.
**** The key concept is to credit laboratory analyses done on-site by plant personnel with point values
ranging from 0 to 20.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
drinkwatertxoper-final-june05.doc