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

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.