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

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.