1. (a) The legal authority for the rules in this subchapter is Texas Health and Safety Code, §§341.031, 341.033, and 341.034.
2. (b) The purpose of the rules in this subchapter is to provide a uniform procedure for issuing certificates of competency to public water system operators and certificates of registration to public water system operations companies.
3. (c) Except as provided in section (d) of this section, all public water systems must have at least one certified operator as required under §325.8 of this title (relating to Classification of Public Water Systems and Certificates Required).

4. (d) Transient noncommunity public water systems are not required to have a certified operator as required under §325.8 of this title if the transient noncommunity public water system uses:

   1. (1) groundwater that is not under the influence of surface water; or
   2. (2) purchased treated water that meets the drinking water standards of Chapter 290, Subchapter D of this title (relating to Certification of Waterworks Personnel).
5. (e) Certificates of competency are established for water treatment plant operators and water distribution system operators to operate or assist in the operation of water treatment or distribution systems.
6. (f) Certificates of registration are established for public water system operations companies to operate public water systems on a contract basis.
7. (g) The currently named "Grade" certificates are valid until they are replaced by the new "Class" certificates.
8. (h) All renewable Class D certificates that were issued to operators who do not possess a high school diploma or its equivalent may still be renewed according to §325.18 of this title (relating to Renewal of Certificates of Competency).

Source Note:The provisions of this §325.2 adopted to be effective November 23, 2000, 25 TexReg 11416.