Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 531 - WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR CERTIFICATION › Section 096-531-2 - Definitions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The following terms, as used in this chapter, have the
				  following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise
A.
Biological Treatment.
"Biological treatment" means a process utilizing microorganisms to degrade
				organic wastes.
B.
Board.
"Board" means the Board of Environmental
				Protection.
C.
Certificate
or
Certification.
"Certificate" or
				"certification" means a certificate of competency issued by the Department
				stating that the applicant has met the requirements for the specified operator
				classification.
D.
Commissioner. "
Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the
				Department of Environmental Protection.
E.
Department.
"Department" The
				Department of Environmental Protection.
F.
Domestic Wastewater.
"Domestic wastewater" means wastewater derived principally from human
				activities in dwelling, business buildings, and educational
				institutions.
G.
Examination
				or Exam.
"Examination" or "exam" means a written or computer-based test
				developed by the Department or third parties to assess operator
				competency.
H.
Industrial
				Wastewater.
"Industrial wastewater" means wastewater generated from an
				industrial process requiring treatment prior to disposal into the
				environment.
I.
Operator.
"Operator" means a person who is certified by the
				Department as being competent to supervise, manage, or operate a wastewater
				treatment plant and to ensure that the plant is operated in accordance with
				state and federal laws, rules, and licenses.
J.
Operational Duties.
"Operational duties" means the day-to-day duties performed by wastewater staff
				to operate a wastewater treatment plant, in accordance with the grade level and
				complexity of the treatment process in order to maintain permit
				compliance.
K.
Operator in
				Responsible Charge (ORC).
"Operator in responsible charge" means an
				operator certified by the Department, with a certification in good standing, at
				or above the classification for the wastewater treatment plant who is
				designated by the wastewater treatment plant owner to be the operator
				responsible for supervising, managing, or operating the wastewater treatment
				plant and ensuring that the wastewater treatment plant is operated in
				accordance with state and federal law, rules and licenses.
L.
Pond or Lagoon Systems.
"Pond
				system" or "Lagoon system" means a wastewater treatment plant consisting of
				stabilization ponds or lagoons to reduce the organic content and pathogens in
				domestic or industrial wastewaters.
M.
Physical/Chemical (P/C) Treatment
				Plant.
"Physical/chemical treatment plant" means a wastewater treatment
				plant that employs physical and chemical processes as the primary means of
				treatment.
N.
Reinstatement.
"Reinstatement" means the process for an operator
				to regain certification following revocation under section
				13 of this chapter.
O.
Spray Irrigation Treatment Systems
				(SITS).
"Spray irrigation treatment system" means a private residential
				or commercial system comprised of stabilization ponds, holding ponds or lagoons
				followed by effluent sprayed to an irrigation site with no direct discharge to
				a surface water body.
P.
Training Contact Hours (TCH).
"Training contact hours" means the
				unit of measure for hours of approved training used to fulfill Department
				requirements for continuing education training.
Q.
Treatment Plant Owner.
"Treatment plant owner" means the individual or entity, including but not
				limited to, municipality, quasi-municipality, district, commercial business, or
				corporation, that was issued a state or federal pollutant discharge elimination
				system permit or state waste discharge license under
				38 M.R.S.
				§413.
R.
Wastewater.
"Wastewater"
				means water that has been contaminated by any combination of domestic,
				industrial, commercial, or agricultural activities. The characteristics of
				wastewater vary depending on the source.
S.
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
"Wastewater treatment plant" means the facility or group of treatment units
				that provides for the treatment of wastewater to meet the requirements of a
				state or federal pollutant discharge elimination system permit or a waste
				discharge license under
				38 M.R.S.
				§413.