62-602.650. Duties of Operators

An operator is responsible for performing treatment plant or water distribution system operation and maintenance duties in a manner consistent with standard operating practices. The duties shall be the following:

(1) Domestic wastewater treatment plant operators shall perform responsible and effective on-site management of the operation, supervision, and maintenance of domestic wastewater treatment plants, including, if applicable, reuse or disposal systems within the operator’s responsibility. Water treatment plant operators shall perform responsible and effective on-site management of the operation, supervision, and maintenance of water treatment plants or water distribution systems. Water distribution system operators shall perform responsible and effective on-site management of the operation, supervision, and maintenance of water distribution systems.

(2) Domestic wastewater treatment plant operators shall submit to the permittee all required reports in the manner required by the Department in Rule 62-601.300, F.A.C. Water treatment plant operators shall submit to the supplier of water all required reports in the manner required by the Department in Rules 62-550.730, 62-555.325, and 62-555.350, F.A.C.

(3) Domestic wastewater treatment plant operators shall notify the permittee as soon as possible following the discovery of any abnormal event or noncompliance that may endanger health or the environment as described in subsection 62-604.550(2) or 62-620.610(20), F.A.C.; additionally, wastewater plant operators shall report to the State Warning Point (SWP) at 1(800)320-0519 and the Department or delegated local program in accordance with subsections 62-604.550(2) and 62-620.610(20), F.A.C., unless the permittee has written procedures designating and directing other knowledgeable staff to report on behalf of the permittee to the SWP and the Department or delegated local program in accordance with subsections 62-604.550(2) and 62-620.610(20), F.A.C. Water treatment plant operators and water distribution system operators shall notify the supplier of water as soon as possible after discovery of any of the circumstances described in subsection 62-555.350(10), F.A.C.; additionally, water treatment plant operators and water distribution system operators shall report to the SWP, the Department or approved county health department (ACHD), and water customers in accordance with subsection 62-555.350(10), F.A.C., unless the supplier of water has written procedures designating and directing other knowledgeable staff to report on behalf of the water supplier to the SWP, the Department or ACHD, and water customers in accordance with subsection 62-555.350(10), F.A.C.

(4) Domestic wastewater treatment plant operators shall maintain a separate operation and maintenance (O&M) log for each domestic wastewater treatment plant, and water treatment plant operators shall maintain a separate O&M log for each water treatment plant. The plant O&M log shall be maintained on site at the plant in a location accessible to 24-hour inspection and protected from weather damage. The plant O&M log shall be maintained in a hard-bound book with consecutive page numbering, or alternatively, part or all of the plant O&M log may be maintained electronically upon written request by the permittee or supplier of water and written approval by the appropriate Department district office, delegated local program, or approved county health department (ACHD). Department district offices, delegated local programs, and ACHDs shall approve partial or complete electronic plant O&M logs if the permittee or supplier of water demonstrates that required data will remain accessible to 24-hour inspection and protected from weather damage; that adequate data storage capacity and data backup will be provided; that entries made by recording equipment will be date/time stamped; and that entries made by an operator will be date/time stamped and accompanied by an electronic signature unique to, and under the sole control of, the operator. The plant O&M log shall be maintained current to the last operation and maintenance performed and shall contain a minimum of the previous three months of data at all times. The plant O&M log shall contain the following information, which shall be entered in the O&M log during each plant visit before leaving the plant:

(a) Identification of the plant;

(b) The signature and license number of the operator making any entries;

(c) Date and time in and out of the plant;

(d) Description of specific plant operation and maintenance activities, including any preventive maintenance or repairs made or requested;

(e) Results of tests performed and samples taken, unless documented on a laboratory sheet.

(f) Notation of any notification or reporting completed in accordance with subsection 62-602.650(3), F.A.C.

(5) Beginning May 1, 2011, water treatment plant or distribution system operators shall maintain one or more operation and maintenance (O&M) logs for each water distribution system. The water distribution system O&M log may be combined with the O&M log for any water treatment plant connected to the water distribution system or may be a separate log. The water distribution system O&M log shall be maintained in a hard-bound book with consecutive page numbering, or alternatively, part or all of the water distribution system O&M log may be maintained electronically upon written request by the supplier of water and written approval by the appropriate Department district office or approved county health department (ACHD). Department district offices and ACHDs shall approve partial or complete electronic water distribution system O&M logs if the supplier of water demonstrates that adequate data storage capacity and data backup will be provided; that entries made by recording equipment will be date/time stamped; and that entries made by an operator will be date/time stamped and accompanied by an electronic signature unique to, and under the sole control of, the operator. The water distribution system O&M log shall be maintained current to the last operation and maintenance performed and shall contain a minimum of the previous three months of data at all times. The water distribution system O&M log shall contain the following information, which shall be entered in the O&M log on the day the information was obtained:

(a) Identification of the distribution system;

(b) The signature and license number of the operator making any entries;

(c) Date, time, and description of water distribution system operation or maintenance (O&M) activities that may affect water quality or quantity and that are listed in Footnote 1 under the tables in subparagraphs 62-699.310(2)(f)1. and 2., F.A.C., including any such activities that are performed by a licensed underground utility and excavation contractor or licensed plumbing contractor;

(d) Results of tests performed and samples taken, unless documented on a laboratory sheet;

(e) Notation of any notification or reporting completed in accordance with subsection 62-602.650(3), F.A.C.

Specific Authority 403.869 FS. Law Implemented 403.1832, 403.8533, 403.865, 403.875(1)(a) FS. History–New 12-30-99, Amended 2-6-02, 10-15-07.