The following words and terms when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Certificate of competency--Certificate issued by the commission stating that the operator has qualified for public water system certification at the class specified.
2. (2) Certificate of registration--Certificate issued by the commission to public water system operations companies to allow companies to provide operational services to public water treatment facilities or potable water distribution systems on a contract basis.
3. (3) Chief operator--Person with overall responsibility for the operation of a public water system.
4. (4) Connection--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title (relating to Definitions).
5. (5) Daily on-site responsibility--Daily assigned duties of a certified operator who performs work, makes decisions, or gives directions to others about the operation of a public water system. These actions are part of the daily assigned job duties of that person.
6. (6) Designated courses--Courses or their equivalent which are required to obtain or renew a water operator certificate of competency.
7. (7) Operator in responsible charge--Certified operator who has been charged with the on-site supervision of the public water system in the absence of the chief operator.
8. (8) Operator-in-training--Person entering the field of potable water treatment or distribution for the first time.

9. (9) Public water system--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title.

   1. (A) Community water system--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title.
   2. (B) Noncommunity public water system--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title.
   3. (C) Nontransient noncommunity public water system--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title.
   4. (D) Transient noncommunity water system--Shall have the same meaning as defined in §290.38 of this title.

10. (10) Public water system operator--Certified operator who performs process control in production or distribution of drinking water.

    1. (A) Surface water system operator--Certified operator who has daily on-site responsibility for activities that result in production, treatment, and possible distribution of any surface water used as a water source for a public water system.
    2. (B) Groundwater system operator--Certified operator who has daily on-site responsibility for activities that result in production, treatment, and possible distribution of any groundwater used as a water source for a public water system.
    3. (C) Distribution/purchased system operator--Certified operator who has daily on-site responsibility for activities that result in the distribution of potable water for a public water system and responsibility for a purchased water system.
11. (11) Public water system operations company--Any business, company, corporation, firm, partnership, individual, or other nongovernmental entity that provides operations services for public water systems on a contract basis.
12. (12) Training credits--Hours of water credit allowed by the executive director for attendance at an approved training event.
13. (13) Work experience--Actual performance of job tasks in public water systems considered essential for the production, treatment, or distribution of drinking water.

Source Note:The provisions of this §325.4 adopted to be effective November 23, 2000, 25 TexReg 11416.