Code of Maine Rules › 90 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES › 429 - BOARD OF LICENSURE OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS (UNDER THE JURISDICTION THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES) › Chapter 1 - RULES RELATING TO THE LICENSURE OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS › Section 429-1-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
AERATION -
The process of adding air to
				  water.
BOARD -
Maine Board of Licensure of Water System
				  Operators.
COMMISSIONER -
The Commissioner of the Maine
				  Department of Health and Human Services or the Commissioner's designee.
DEPARTMENT -
Maine Department of Health and
				  Human Services.
DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FILTERS -
A process resulting
				  in substantial particulate removal in which a precoat cake of diatomaceous
				  earth filter media is deposited on a support membrane septum, and while the
				  water is filtered by passing through the cake on the septum, additional filter
				  media known as body feed is continuously added to the feed water to maintain
				  the permeability of the filter cake.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM-
A system of pipes and
				  appurtenances by which a potable water supply is distributed to
				  customers.
DIRECT FILTRATION -
A series of processes
				  including coagulation and filtration, but excluding sedimentation, resulting in
				  substantial particulate removal.
DISSOLVED AIR FLOTATION -
Process of solids
				  removal wherein dissolved air is added to the clarifier from the bottom of the
				  basin, causing suspended particles to rise to the surface and be removed by
				  skimming.
HORIZONTAL FLOW -
Flow of water in a horizontal
				  direction through a rectangular or round sedimentation/clarification
				  basin.
INJECTION MIXERS -
Use of perforated tubes or
				  nozzles to disperse a chemical into the water being treated.
IN-LINE BLENDER MIXER -
Stationary blender used
				  for coagulant mixing.
MECHANICAL DEWATERING -
The use of mechanical
				  devices such as belt filter presses, plate filter presses, centrifuges or other
				  rotational mechanisms to force the separation of solids (sludge) from liquids
				  (water).
MECHANICAL MIXERS
- Paddles, turbines, and
				  propellers used in coagulation facilities.
OPERATOR
- An individual either employed or
				  retained by a public water system, who, as part of his or her job duties, is
				  assigned the responsibilities for operational activities that will directly
				  impact the quality and/or quantity of water provided to consumers.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM -
Is hereby incorporated by
				  reference as defined in Title 22, Chapter 601, Section 2601(8) of the Maine
				  Revised Statutes.
pH ADJUSTMENT -
The alteration of the pH of the
				  raw water, or pre-finished filtered water or for corrosion control by
				  mechanical or chemical procedures, to enhance the performance of the treatment
				  process.
RECIPROCITY -
Licensing of a person who has
				  passed a written examination in another state and meets the experience and
				  education requirements of this rule.
RENEWAL PERIOD -
The period of time between
				  license issue date and the submitted date for renewal or reinstatement of a
				  license.
REVERSE OSMOSIS -
Passage of water from a
				  concentrated solution through a semi-permeable membrane to fresh water by the
				  application of pressure.
SCADA INSTRUMENTATION -
Supervisory control and
				  data acquisition system used to monitor and control remote water facility
				  sites.
SOLID-CONTACT SEDIMENTATION -
Unit which
				  combines the coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation processes in a single
				  basin which is either rectangular or circular in shape. This process may be
				  either gravity, up flow or pressurized. Flow is through a solids blanket of
				  flocculated, suspended solids or buoyant medium.
SOLIDS COMPOSTING -
Mixing of sludge with
				  decaying organic material for eventual use as a soil amendment.
STABILITY OR CORROSION CONTROL -
The removal of
				  dissolved gases or addition of chemicals to render finished water non-corrosive
				  or the addition of chemicals to form a protective coating inside pipes.
TUBE SEDIMENTATION -
Tubes or inclined plates
				  placed in rectangular or circular sedimentation basins to improve settling
				  efficiency.
TRAINING CONTACT HOUR (TCH) -
One clock hour of
				  contact: Contact is defined as interaction between a learner and instructor, or
				  between a learner and materials, which have been prepared to facilitate
				  learning. Contact implies two-way communication, in order for the learner to
				  receive feedback, to monitor and assess learning.
TREATMENT PROCESS AND/OR IN-LINE TREATMENT -
Portion of the drinking water system containing various chemical additions
				  and/or filtration processes, exclusive of transmission or distribution, which
				  alters the physical, chemical, radiological or microbiological
				  quality.