62-699.310. Classification and Staffing of Domestic Wastewater or Water Treatment Plants and Water Distribution Systems

This section applies to all domestic wastewater treatment plant permittees and to all suppliers of water except those who own or operate a transient non-community water system (TWS) using only ground water as a source of supply and serving only religious institutions, or businesses, other than public food service establishments as defined and regulated under Chapter 381, 500, or 509, F.S., and other than religious institutions with school or daycare services. Licensed operators are not required for TWSs using only ground water as a source of supply and serving only religious institutions, or businesses, other than public food service establishments and other than religious institutions with school or daycare services.

(1) Domestic wastewater treatment plant permittees and suppliers of water shall employ only persons appropriately licensed under Chapter 62-602, F.A.C., to be in on-site charge of the operation, supervision, or maintenance of a domestic wastewater or water treatment plant during any part of any day. Suppliers of water shall employ only persons appropriately licensed under Chapter 62-602, F.A.C., to be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 under the tables in subparagraphs 62-699.310(2)(f)1. and 2., F.A.C.

(2) Permittees and suppliers of water shall employ licensed operators on-site at their domestic wastewater or water treatment plant(s) to fulfill the time and visit requirements specified in paragraphs (a) through (e) below. Suppliers of water shall employ licensed operators to staff their water distribution system as specified in paragraph (f) below.

(a) Classification and Staffing Requirements for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants Other than Those Discussed Separately in Paragraphs (b) Through (d) Below. Refer to tables 1. through 4. below and determine the classification and staffing requirements for each domestic wastewater treatment plant using the following two-step procedure: first determine the category of the plant and then, within that category, determine the classification and staffing requirements for the plant. Determine the plant category by identifying the highest category in tables 1. through 4. listing one or more of the plant’s treatment processes, with Category I being the highest category and Category IV being the lowest category. Determine the plant classification and staffing requirements within the determined plant category by using the permitted capacity of the plant. Class A is the highest possible plant classification, and Class D is the lowest possible plant classification.

1. Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Category I
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Processes to meet permit limits for total nitrogen with or without filtration; processes to meet permit limits for total phosphorus with or without filtration; or membrane processes, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and membrane bioreactors.	3.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	0.5 MGD up to 3.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	0.1 MGD up to 0.5 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.05 MGD up to 0.1 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ Less than 0.05 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit each weekend. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Not Applicable

 

2. Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Category II
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Activated sludge processes, except extended aeration, with or without filtration.	5.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	1.0 MGD up to 5.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	0.25 MGD up to 1.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.1 MGD up to 0.25 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ Less than 0.1 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1/2 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit each weekend. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Not Applicable

3. Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Category III
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Extended aeration, including oxidation ditches, with or without filtration.	8.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	2.0 MGD up to 8.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	0.5 MGD up to 2.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.25 MGD up to 0.5 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit each weekend. ________________ 25,000 GPD up to 0.25 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1/2 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit each weekend. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	10,000 GPD up to 25,000 GPD   Staffing by Class D or higher operator: 3 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 1 1/2 hours/week. ________________ 2,000 up to 10,000 GPD   Staffing by Class D or higher operator: 2 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 1 hour/week. There shall be no more than 5 days between the last visit in one week and the first visit in the next week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class D or higher.

 

4. Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Category IV
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Either of the following processes with or without filtration: trickling filters or rotating biological contactors.	10 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	3.0 MGD up to 10 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	2.0 MGD up to 3.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.75 MGD up to 2.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 25,000 GPD up to 0.75 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1/2 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit each weekend. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	2,000 up to 25,000 GPD   Staffing by Class D or higher operator: 2 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 1 hour/week. There shall be no more than 5 days between the last visit in one week and the first visit in the next week. The lead/chief operator must be Class D or higher.

 

(b) Staffing Requirements for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants that Provide Reclaimed Water to a Reuse System Permitted Under Part III of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

1. Plant staffing requirements shall be established in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

2. Additional minimum staffing requirements are provided in subsections 62-610.462(2) and (3), F.A.C., which shall be used in conjunction with the requirements in paragraph (a) above, with the most stringent requirements governing. Reductions in staffing requirements below the minimum established in subsections 62-610.462(2) and (3), F.A.C., shall not be allowed.

(c) Staffing Requirements for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants that Provide Reclaimed Water to a Reuse System Permitted Under Part V of Chapter 62-610, F.A.C.

1. Plant staffing requirements shall be established in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

2. Additional minimum staffing requirements are provided in subsections 62-610.567(3), (4), and (5), F.A.C., which shall be used in conjunction with the requirements in paragraph (a) above, with the most stringent requirements governing. Reductions in staffing requirements below the minimum established in subsections 62-610.567(3), (4), and (5), F.A.C., shall not be allowed.

(d) Staffing Requirements for Biosolids Treatment Facilities. Staffing requirements are provided in paragraph 62-640.880(2)(j), F.A.C.

(e) Classification and Staffing Requirements for Water Treatment Plants. Refer to tables 1. through 5. below and determine the classification and staffing requirements for each water treatment plant using the following two-step procedure: first determine the category of the plant and then, within that category, determine the classification and staffing requirements for the plant. Determine the plant category by identifying the highest category in tables 1. through 5. listing one or more of the plant’s category-determining treatment processes, with Category I being the highest category and Category V being the lowest category. In no case shall a treatment process that is installed and maintained by the Department under the Water Supply Restoration Program be considered in determining the plant category. Otherwise, for any plant that is part of a community water system (CWS), all of the plant’s treatment processes shall be considered in determining the plant category, while for any plant that is part of a non-community water system (NCWS), only the plant’s treatment processes that are necessary to meet primary drinking water standards, or disinfection requirements, applicable to the NCWS shall be considered in determining the plant category. Determine the plant classification and staffing requirements within the determined plant category by using the permitted maximum-day operating capacity of the plant. Class A is the highest possible plant classification, and Class D is the lowest possible plant classification.

1. Water Treatment Plant Category I
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Conventional filtration (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and rapid-rate granular-media filtration), including lime softening; direct filtration, (coagulation and rapid-rate granular-media filtration) of surface water or ground water determined by the Department to be under the direct influence of surface water; or direct filtration of ground water for removal of viruses.	5.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	1.0 MGD up to 5.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	0.3 MGD up to 1.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.1 MGD up to 0.3 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ Less than 0.1 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Not Applicable

 

2. Water Treatment Plant Category II
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, or reverse osmosis.	6.5 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	MGD up to 6.5 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	0.5 MGD up to 1.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.25 MGD up to 0.5 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.1 MGD up to 0.25 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ Less than 0.1 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 5 visits per week and one visit each weekend for a total of 2.4 hours/week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Not Applicable

3. Water Treatment Plant Category III
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Activated alumina or carbon adsorption, with backwashing or on-site media regeneration or reactivation, for removal of any primary contaminant or disinfection byproduct precursors; diatomaceous earth filtration; electrodialysis or electrodialysis reversal; ion exchange for removal of any primary contaminant or disinfection byproduct precursors; oxidation and rapid-rate granular-media filtration, or direct filtration, of ground water for removal of any primary contaminant other than viruses or for removal of disinfection byproduct precursors; or slow sand filtration.	8.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 24 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class A.	2.0 MGD up to 8.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	1.0 MGD up to 2.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.5 MGD up to 1.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.25 MGD up to 0.5 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ Less than 0.25 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 5 visits/week and one visit each weekend for a total of 1.8 hours/week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Not Applicable

4. Water Treatment Plant Category IV
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Activated alumina or carbon adsorption with backwashing or on-site media regeneration or reactivation, for removal of only secondary contaminants; chloramination; chlorine dioxide treatment; ion exchange for removal of any secondary contaminant, sulfide, or hardness from a CWS; oxidation and rapid-rate granular-media filtration, or direct filtration, of ground water for removal of any secondary contaminant or sulfide from a CWS; or ozonation.	Not Applicable	10 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 16 hours/day for 7 days/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class B or higher.	5.0 MGD up to 10 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 3.0 MGD up to 5.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 3 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 1.0 MGD up to 3.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.1 MGD up to 1.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 5 visits/week and one visit each weekend for a total of 1.2 hours/week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	Less than 0.1 MGD   Staffing by a Class D or higher operator: 3 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 0.6 hour/week. The lead/chief operator must be Class D or higher.

5. Water Treatment Plant Category V
Treatment Process	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class D
Activated alumina or carbon adsorption without backwashing and without on-site media regeneration or reactivation; aeration; alkalinity or pH adjustment; chlorination or hypochlorination; corrosion control inhibitor addition; fluoridation; iron or manganese sequestration; or ultraviolet radiation.	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	5.0 MGD and above   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 6 hours/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 3.0 MGD up to 5.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 1 hour/day for 5 days/week and one visit on each weekend day. ________________ 0.25 MGD up to 3.0 MGD   Staffing by Class C or higher operator: 5 visits/week and one visit each weekend for a total of 0.6 hour/week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class C or higher.	50,000 GPD up to 0.25 MGD   Staffing by Class D or higher operator: 3 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 0.3 hour/week. ________________ Less than 50,000 GPD   Staffing by a Class D or higher operator: 2 visits/week on nonconsecutive days for a total of 0.2 hour/week. There shall be no more than 5 days between the last visit in one week and the first visit in the next week. ________________ For all of the above plants, the lead/chief operator must be Class D or higher.

(f) Classification and Staffing Requirements for Water Distribution Systems. Refer to tables 1. and 2. below and determine the classification and staffing requirements for each water distribution system using the following two-step procedure: first determine the category of the distribution system and then, within that category, determine the classification and staffing requirements for the distribution system. Determine the distribution system category by using the highest classification of water treatment plant to which the distribution system is connected, with Class A being the highest plant classification and Class D being the lowest plant classification. Determine the distribution system classification and staffing requirements within the determined distribution system category by using the number of persons served directly by the distribution system, which excludes any persons served by any separately owned and operated wholesale or regulated consecutive system connected to the distribution system. Level 1 is the highest possible distribution system classification, and Level 4 is the lowest possible distribution system classification.

1. Water Distribution System Category I
Distribution System		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Distribution system connected to a Class A, B, or C water treatment plant.		Serving 100,000 or more persons.   The lead/chief operator must be a Level 1 water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator. Additionally, a Level 3 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator shall be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 below unless the activity is being performed by a licensed contractor working within the scope of his or her license.2	Serving at least 10,000 persons and less than 100,000 persons.   The lead/chief operator must be a Level 2 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator. Additionally, a Level 3 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator shall be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 below unless the activity is being performed by a licensed contractor working within the scope of his or her license.2	Serving at least 1,000 persons and less than 10,000 persons.   The lead/chief operator must be a Level 3 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator. Additionally, a Level 3 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class C or higher water treatment plant operator shall be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 below unless the activity is being performed by a licensed contractor working within the scope of his or her license.2	Serving less than 1,000 persons3.   The lead/chief operator must be a Level 4 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class D or higher water treatment plant operator. Additionally, a Level 4 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class D or higher water treatment plant operator shall be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 below unless the activity is being performed by a licensed contractor working within the scope of his or her license.2
1The following water distribution system operation or maintenance activities may affect water quality or quantity: cleaning (swabbing, pigging, scraping, or air-purging) existing or repaired water mains; tapping, depressurizing/dewatering, or disinfecting existing or repaired water mains; dewatering, cleaning, or disinfecting existing or repaired finished-water storage tanks; and manually operating pumps, or adjusting automatic pump controls or automatic control valves, as necessary to regulate water distribution system flows or pressures. 2Part I of Chapter 489, F.S., and rules adopted thereunder and administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Construction Industry Licensing Board regulate the construction industry and establish whether construction work, including the repair or replacement of water distribution system facilities, must be performed by a licensed contractor. 3For wholesale systems, a Category I water distribution system serving less than 1,000 persons shall be classified as a Level 3 water distribution system.
	2. Water Distribution System Category II
	Distribution System	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
	Distribution system connected to a Class D water treatment plant.	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	Not Applicable	The lead/chief operator must be a Level 4 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class D or higher water treatment plant operator. Additionally, a Level 4 or higher water distribution system operator or a Class D or higher water treatment plant operator shall be in on-site charge of any water distribution system operation or maintenance activity that may affect water quality or quantity and that is listed in Footnote 1 below unless the activity is being performed by a licensed contractor working within the scope of his or her license2.
	1Water distribution system operation and maintenance activities that may affect water quality or quantity include the following: cleaning (swabbing, pigging, scraping, or air-purging) existing or repaired water mains; tapping, depressurizing/dewatering, or disinfecting existing or repaired water mains; dewatering, cleaning, or disinfecting existing or repaired finished-water storage tanks; and manually operating pumps, or adjusting automatic pump controls or automatic control valves, as necessary to regulate water distribution system flows or pressures. 2Part I of Chapter 489, F.S., and rules adopted thereunder and administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Construction Industry Licensing Board regulate the construction industry and establish whether construction work, including the repair or replacement of water distribution system facilities, must be performed by a licensed contractor.

Rulemaking Authority 403.869, 403.88(4) FS. Law Implemented 403.853(6), 403.867, 403.875(1)(f), 403.88(1), (2), (3) FS. History–New 11-17-70, Revised 10-24-74, Amended 12-25-75, 6-10-76, 1-12-81, Formerly 17-16.12, 17-16.13, Amended 5-8-85, Formerly 17-16.370, 17-602.370, 17-699.310, Amended 10-15-07, 3-6-13.