1. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), no person shall operate a wastewater treatment plant without a valid, unexpired, State Water Board-issued operator, provisional operator, or operator-in-training certificate at a grade level appropriate for the class of wastewater treatment plant being operated as set forth in sections 3680, 3680.1, and 3680.2.

2. (b) A person certified by the California Department of Public Health as a water treatment plant operator may operate a water recycling treatment plant at a grade level appropriate for the class of wastewater treatment plant being operated as set forth in sections 3680 and 3680.1.

   1. (1) For the purpose of this subdivision, a water treatment plant operator certificate is equivalent to a wastewater treatment plant operator certificate as follows:

      Certificate Requirements for Water Recycling Treatment Plants

      Wastewater Treatment Plant Classification

      Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate

      Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate

      I

      T1

      Grade I

      II

      T2

      Grade II

      III

      T3

      Grade III

      IV

      T4

      Grade IV

      V

      T5

      Grade V

   2. (2) The State Water Board may prohibit the use of a certificate issued by the California Department of Public Health if the water treatment plant operator has committed or commits any act in violation of this chapter.
3. (c) Any person who operates a wastewater treatment plant without a valid, unexpired certificate as required by subdivisions (a) and (b) is subject to administrative civil liability as set forth in section 3709 and disciplinary action pursuant to sections 3710 and 3719.12.
4. (d) Any person who owns or operates a wastewater treatment plant that employs, or allows the employment of, any person performing the duties of an operator who does not hold a valid, unexpired certificate as required by subdivisions (a) and (b) is subject to administrative civil liability as set forth in section 3709(b)(2) and disciplinary action pursuant to sections 3710 and 3719.12.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 1058 and 13627, Water Code. Reference: Sections 13625, 13627, 13627.1 and 13627.3, Water Code.

History

1. New section filed 6-24-92; operative 6-24-92 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.2(d) (Register 92, No. 26).

2. Amendment of section heading filed 3-27-98; operative 4-26-98 (Register 98, No. 13).

3. Amendment of section heading, section and Note filed 1-28-2013; operative 4-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 5).