Florida Administrative Code › 62 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 62 - Departmental › Chapter 62-602 - WATER OR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS › Section 62-602.200 - Definitions

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words,
				  phrases, or terms shall have the following meaning:
(1) "Approved County Health Department" means
				Broward, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota, or
				Volusia County Health Department pursuant to Section
				 403.862(1)(c),
				F.S.
(2) "Approved training course"
				means a course that has received written approval from the Department for the
				training of operators as described in Rule
				 62-602.230, F.A.C.
(3) "Automatic control system" means an
				on-site computerized system with sensors and programs that can adjust and
				control domestic wastewater or water treatment plant equipment and processes
				over the normal range of expected operating conditions without operator
				assistance.
(4) "Continuing
				Education Unit" means 10 classroom hours of approved instruction. It may be
				abbreviated to "CEU" in these rules.
(5) "Delegated local program" means Broward
				County (collection systems only), Miami-Dade County, Hillsborough County, Palm
				Beach County, or Sarasota County pursuant to Section
				 403.182, F.S.
(6) "Department" means the Florida Department
				of Environmental Protection.
(7)
				"Domestic wastewater treatment plant" means any plant or other works used for
				the purpose of treating, stabilizing, or holding domestic waste.
(8) "Electronic control system" means a
				comprehensive automatic control system plus electronic surveillance system
				along with capability for manual adjustment and control of domestic wastewater
				or water treatment plant equipment and processes via a computerized system at a
				central or off-site location that is staffed by a Class C or higher treatment
				plant operator 24 hours per day and seven days per week.
(9) "Electronic surveillance system" means a
				system that monitors operation of a domestic wastewater or water treatment
				plant and transmits the results of such monitoring by electronic means to a
				central or off-site location. The use of a telephone for communication between
				the lead/chief operator and plant personnel is not considered electronic
				surveillance.
(10) "Experience"
				means employment as an employee, volunteer, or contractor at a water or
				domestic wastewater treatment plant or electronic control system performing the
				duties described in subsections
				 62-602.250(1) and
				(2), F.A.C, or means employment as an
				employee, volunteer, or contractor on or for a water distribution system
				performing the duties described in subsection
				 62-602.250(7),
				F.A.C. Employment at an industrial treatment plant using water or wastewater
				treatment processes similar to those used at drinking water or domestic
				wastewater treatment plants will qualify as water or domestic wastewater
				treatment plant operator experience and be approved by the Department if the
				criteria in subsection
				 62-602.250(3) or
				(4), F.A.C., are met.
(11) "License" means a document issued by the
				Department granting the holder the authority to perform the duties of an
				operator. The license limits this authority to specific type(s) and
				classification(s) of water or wastewater plants or water distribution systems
				based on the training and experience of the licensee.
(12) "Local regulatory agency" means any
				local office of the Florida Department of Health or county government that is
				delegated the authority for the compliance and enforcement of drinking water or
				domestic wastewater rules.
(13)
				"Operator" means, for the purpose of this chapter, any person who has an active
				license issued, under this chapter, by the Department. License classes and
				levels are Class A, B, C, and D for treatment plant operators and Level 1, 2,
				3, and 4 for water distribution system operators.
(14) "Permittee" means the person or entity
				to which a permit for a domestic wastewater facility is issued by the
				Department or approved local regulatory agency.
(15) "Probation letter" means a letter
				reprimanding the operator for failure to comply with the provisions of Rule
				 62-602.650, F.A.C. This letter
				shall initiate up to a two-year probation wherein the operator must complete
				one additional CEU. The letter shall set forth with specificity the allegations
				of fact that justify the Department's proposed actions. Within 21 days after
				receipt of notification, the person affected may petition for an administrative
				hearing under Sections
				 120.569 and
				 120.57, F.S. An additional
				violation of a similar nature or failure to complete the additional CEU shall
				result in the suspension of the license for two years.
(16) "Public water system" or "PWS" means a
				system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through
				pipes or other constructed conveyances if such system has at least 15 service
				connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at
				least 60 days out of the year. A PWS includes: any collection, treatment,
				storage, or distribution facilities under control of the operator of such
				system and used primarily in connection with such system; and any collection or
				pretreatment storage facilities not under control of the operator of such
				system but used primarily in connection with such system. A PWS does not
				include any special irrigation district. A PWS is either a community water
				system or a non-community water system.
(17) "Standard operating practice" means
				effective and competent treatment plant or water distribution system operation
				that is consistent with the existing treatment plant or water distribution
				system design, the existing treatment plant operation and maintenance
				manual(s), manufacturers' equipment manuals, professionally accepted operation
				procedures as contained in the technical manuals listed in Rule
				 62-602.660, F.A.C., and
				applicable Department rules. This definition applies to functions that directly
				affect treatment plant or water distribution system operation and that can be
				reasonably controlled by the operator.
(18) "Supplier of water" means any person who
				owns or operates a public water system. This does not include the licensed
				operator unless that person is also the owner.
(19) "Timely" means that the submittal has
				been postmarked by the post office before midnight of the date for which the
				deadline has been established, or has been delivered to the Department before
				the close of business of that date. If the deadline is a Saturday, Sunday, or
				legal holiday, timely shall be considered the first working day after the
				deadline.
(20) "Water distribution
				system" means those components of a public water system regulated under Chapter
				62-550, F.A.C., used in conveying water for human consumption from the water
				treatment plant to the consumer's property, including pipes, tanks, pumps, and
				other constructed conveyances.
(21)
				"Water treatment plant" means those components of a public water system used in
				collection, treatment, and storage of water for human consumption, whether or
				not such components are under the control of the operator of such system. Such
				plants are permitted and classified by the Department, under Chapters 62-555
				and 62-699, F.A.C., respectively.
Rulemaking Authority
					 403.869 FS. Law Implemented
					 403.182,
					 403.1832,
					 403.8533,
					 403.862(1)(c),
					 403.865,
					 403.866,
					 403.867,
					 403.869
					 FS.
New 12-30-99, Amended 2-6-02,
					 10-15-07.