Illinois Administrative Code
Title 35 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Part 681 - WATER SUPPLY OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
Subpart A - GENERAL
Section 681.105 - Definitions

In addition to these definitions, all definitions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act [ 415 ILCS 5 ], the Public Water Supply Operations Act [ 415 ILCS 45 ], and 35 Ill. Adm. Code 601 and 611 shall apply to this Part. For purposes of this Part:

"Advisory Board" means the Water Supply Operator Advisory Board provided for under Section 11 of the Law.

"Agency" or "IEPA" means the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

"Board" means the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

"Contract Operator" means an individual certified as competent as a water supply operator under the Law who operates or supervises the operation of a community water supply by contractual agreement with the owner.

"Drinking Water Training" means written or practical study done by an operator in the area of water treatment or distribution.

"Equivalent to a High School Education" means a General Education Development (GED) test.

"Examination" means a test, written in English, required to be taken by the applicant for certification.

"Grandparenting" means the exemption for the registered persons in responsible charge of a previously-exempt community water supply, as of July 9, 1999, from meeting the initial education and examination requirements for the class of certification the community water supply has been assigned [ 415 ILCS 45/9.3] .

"Hands-on" or "Necessary Skills, Knowledge, Ability and Judgment" means the knowledge acquired from daily operating experience rather than from text book study or supervisory observation. It means the applicant has actually operated a water plant or water supply or worked on the distribution system and has performed tasks including, but not limited to, routine tests, sample collection, completion of operational reports, calculation of chemical dosages and subsequent adjustment of chemical feeders or backwashed filters.

"Law" means the Public Water Supply Operations Act [ 415 ILCS 45 ].

"Quarter Hours/Semester Hours" means the unit of credit assigned for courses offered by colleges and universities.

"Responsible Charge" means active, on-site charge or performance of operation of the treatment plant or distribution system of a public water supply or comparable water supply.

"Water Supply Operator" means any individual trained in the treatment or distribution of water who has practical working knowledge of the chemical, biological, and physical sciences essential to the practical mechanics of water treatment or distribution and who is capable of conducting and maintaining the water treatment or distribution processes in a manner which will provide safe, potable water for human consumption [ 415 ILCS 45/4] .