Authority: IC 13-14-8; IC 13-18-11-1.5; IC 13-18-11-13

Affected: IC 13-11-2; IC 13-18-11

Sec. 3. (a) In order to become a certified operator of a water treatment plant or a water distribution system, a person must do the following:

1. (1) Meet the minimum qualifications specified in subsection (b).
2. (2) Pass the certification examination required by the commissioner unless exempted by statute or rule.

(b) Before applying to take the water treatment plant or water distribution system operator certification examination given by the commissioner, a person must have the following qualifications:

1. (1) The educational skills necessary to do the following:

   1. (A) Make simple computations:

      1. (i) with fractions and decimals; and
      2. (ii) of multiplication and division.
   2. (B) Read a linear scale.
   3. (C) Calculate volumes of simple shapes.
   4. (D) Keep records.

   5. (E) Read and write the English language to the extent of:

      1. (i) interpreting service manuals and work orders; and
      2. (ii) submitting written reports.

   6. (F) Understand basic principles of the following:

      1. (i) Sanitation.
      2. (ii) Science.

2. (2) With the exception of an operator-in-training, experience acceptable to the commissioner in the field of water treatment or water distribution that meets the following requirements:

   1. (A) Demonstrates the examination applicant's technical knowledge.
   2. (B) Can be verified based on information from available sources, primarily the applicant's water treatment plant or water distribution system employer.

   3. (C) Is the result of satisfactory accomplishment of work in accordance with the following:

      1. (i) Measured from the date of employment of the applicant to the date of the next scheduled examination.

      2. (ii) Received under the oversight of a certified operator qualified to operate the same classification of water treatment plant or water distribution system as that of the applicant's certification application except where one (1) of the following is used to meet the requirements for acceptable work experience:

         1. (AA) Section 3.2(b)(2)(C)(ii) of this rule.
         2. (BB) Section 3.3(b)(3)(D)(ii) of this rule [sic., section 3.2(b)(3)(D)(ii) of this rule].
         3. (CC) Section 3.2(b)(3)(D)(iii) of this rule.
         4. (DD) Section 3.2(b)(3)(D)(iv) of this rule.
         5. (EE) Section 3.2(c)(2)(D)(ii) of this rule.
         6. (FF) Section 3.2(c)(4)(D)(iii) of this rule.
         7. (GG) Section 3.2(c)(5)(D)(i)(BB) of this rule.
         8. (HH) Section 3.2(c)(5)(D)(iii) of this rule.
         9. (II) Section 3.4 of this rule.
         10. (JJ) Section 3.5 of this rule.
      3. Where acceptable work experience is gained under these provisions, oversight may be under an operator qualified to operate the water treatment plant or water distribution system where the experience was obtained. If the applicant holds a certification license for the classification of system where the experience is obtained, the applicant's manager may certify that the experience has been obtained.

(Water Pollution Control Division; 327 IAC 8-12-3; filed Sep 24, 1987, 3:00 p.m.: 11 IR 721; filed Sep 19, 1990, 3:00 p.m.: 14 IR 262; filed Dec 12, 1994, 4:39 p.m.: 18 IR 1232; errata filed Mar 9, 1995, 4:15 p.m.: 18 IR 1836; filed Nov 20, 2000, 4:11 p.m.: 24 IR 977; filed Oct 24, 2006, 3:03 p.m.: 20061122-IR-327050255FRA; errata filed Dec 6, 2006, 10:10 a.m.: 20061227-IR-327050255ACA; readopted filed Oct 18, 2024, 1:57 p.m.: 20241113-IR-327230810RFA)