Statutes > Illinois Statutes > CHAPTER 415 ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY > 415 ILCS 45/ Public Water Supply Operations Act.

415 ILCS 45/ Public Water Supply Operations Act.

    (415 ILCS 45/0.01) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 500)
    Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Public Water Supply Operations Act.
(Source: P.A. 86‑1324.)

    (415 ILCS 45/1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 501)
    Sec. 1. (1) In order to safeguard the health and well being of the populace, every community water supply in Illinois shall have on its operational staff at least one natural person certified as competent as a water supply operator under the provisions of this Act.
    Except for exempt community water supplies as specified in Section 9.1 of this Act, all portions of a community water supply system shall be under the direct supervision of a properly certified community water supply operator.
    (2) The following class requirements apply:
        (a) Each community water supply which includes
     coagulation, lime softening, or sedimentation as a part of its primary treatment shall have in its employ at least one natural person certified as competent as a Class A community water supply operator. This includes all surface water community water supplies.
        (b) Each community water supply which includes
     filtration, aeration and filtration, or ion exchange equipment as a part of its primary treatment shall have in its employ at least one natural person certified as competent as a Class B or Class A community water supply operator.
        (c) Each community water supply which utilizes
     chemical feeding only shall have in its employ at least one natural person certified as competent as a Class C, Class B, or Class A community water supply operator.
        (d) Each community water supply in which the
     facilities are limited to pumpage, storage, or distribution shall have in its employ at least one natural person certified as competent as a Class D, Class C, Class B, or Class A community water supply operator.
     A community water supply that cannot be clearly grouped according to this Section will be considered individually and designated within one of the above groups by the Agency. This determination will be based on the nature of the community water supply and on the education and experience necessary to operate it.
      (3) A community water supply may satisfy the requirements of this Section by contracting the services of a properly qualified certified operator of the required class or higher, as specified in subsection (2). A written agreement to this effect must be on file with the Agency certifying that such an agreement exists, and delegating responsibility and authority to the contracted party. This written agreement shall be signed by both the certified operator to be contracted and the responsible community water supply owner or official custodian and must be approved in writing by the Agency.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99; 91‑357, eff. 7‑29‑99; 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01.)

    (415 ILCS 45/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 502)
    Sec. 2.
    A properly certified water supply operator may operate a waste effluent treatment facility which is a part of a water supply treatment plant, notwithstanding the fact that such operator is not a certified waste treatment operator, provided, however, that the primary function of such plant is water supply treatment rather than waste effluent treatment and that such waste is generated by processes of water supply treatment.
(Source: P.A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/3) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 503)
    Sec. 3.
    As used in this Act, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms defined in Sections 4 through 9, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed therein.
(Source: P. A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/4) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 504)
    Sec. 4.
    "Water Supply Operator" means any natural person 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.
(Source: P.A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/5) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 505)
    Sec. 5. (a) "Public Water Supply" means all mains, pipes and structures through which water is obtained and distributed to the public, including wells and well structures, intakes and cribs, pumping stations, treatment plants, reservoirs, storage tanks and appurtenances, collectively or severally, actually used or intended for use for the purpose of furnishing water for drinking or general domestic use and which serves at least 15 service connections or which regularly serves at least 25 persons at least 60 days per year. A public water supply is either a "community water supply" or a "non‑community water supply".
    (b) "Community water supply" means a public water supply which serves or is intended to serve at least 15 service connections used by residents or regularly serves at least 25 residents.
    (c) "Non‑community water supply" means a public water supply that is not a community water supply. The requirements of this Act shall not apply to non‑community water supplies.
    (d) "Resident" means a person who dwells or has a place of abode which is occupied by that person for 60 days or more each calendar year.
    (e) "Service Connection" is the opening, including all fittings and appurtenances, at the water main through which water is supplied to the user.
(Source: P.A. 82‑393.)

    (415 ILCS 45/6) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 506)
    Sec. 6.
    "Agency" means the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
(Source: P.A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/7) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 507)
    Sec. 7.
    "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
(Source: P. A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/8) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 508)
    Sec. 8.
    "Advisory Board" means the Water Supply Operators' Advisory Board provided for by this Act.
(Source: P. A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/9) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 509)
    Sec. 9. "Owner or Official Custodian" means any person who owns, leases, controls, or supervises a community water supply.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/9.1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 509.1)
    Sec. 9.1. "Exempt Community Water Supply" means any community water supply which meets all of the following requirements:
    (1) consists only of distribution and storage facilities and does not have any collection and treatment facilities;
    (2) obtains all of its water from, but is not owned or operated by, a community water supply that is required to employ a Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D community water supply operator;
    (3) does not sell water to any person; and
    (4) is not a carrier that conveys passengers in interstate commerce.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/9.2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 509.2)
    Sec. 9.2. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 82‑393. Repealed by P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/9.3)
    Sec. 9.3. Grandparenting means the exemption for the existing operator in responsible charge, as of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, from meeting the initial education and examination requirements for the class of certification the community water supply has been assigned.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/10) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 510)
    Sec. 10. The Agency shall exercise the following functions, powers, and duties with respect to community water supply operator certification:
    (a) The Agency shall conduct examinations to ascertain the qualifications of applicants for certificates of competency as community water supply operators, and pass upon the qualifications of applicants for reciprocal certificates.
    (b) The Agency shall determine the qualifications of each applicant on the basis of written examinations, and upon a review of the requirements stated in Sections 13 and 14 of this Act.
    (c) (Blank).
    (d) The Agency may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue any certificate of competency for any one or any combination of the following causes:
        (1) the practice of any fraud or deceit in obtaining
     or attempting to obtain, renew, or restore a certificate of competency;
        (2) any gross negligence, incompetency, misconduct,
     or falsification of reports in the operation of a water supply;
        (3) being declared to be a person under legal
     disability by a court of competent jurisdiction and not thereafter having been lawfully declared to be a person not under legal disability or to have recovered; or
        (4) failure to comply with any of the Rules
     pertaining to the operation of a water supply.
    (e) The Agency shall issue a Certificate to any applicant who has satisfactorily met all the requirements of the Act pertaining to a certificate of competency as a water supply operator.
    (f) The Agency shall notify every certified community water supply operator at the last address specified by the operator to the Agency, and at least one month in advance of the expiration of the certificate, of the date of expiration of the certificate and the amount of fee required for its renewal for 3 years.
    (g) The Agency shall, upon its own motion, or upon a written complaint, investigate the action of any person holding or claiming to hold a certificate, and take appropriate action.
    (h) The Agency is authorized to adopt reasonable and necessary rules to set forth procedures and criteria for the administration of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99; 92‑16, eff. 6‑28‑01.)

    (415 ILCS 45/11) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 511)
    Sec. 11. "Advisory Board" means the community water supply operator's advisory board to assist in the formulation of and to review the policies and program of the Agency as developed under authority of this Act, and to make recommendations and to provide the Agency with such technical advice and assistance as may be requested.
    The Advisory Board shall consist of the Director and 5 other members to be appointed by the Governor one of whom shall be the chief executive officer of a municipality operating its own municipal water plant. The 5 appointed members shall be persons having an active interest and with wide background in water supply management and operation from a practical and technical standpoint.
    The 5 appointed members of the Advisory Board serving at the effective date of this Act shall continue in the same capacity until their previously designated term expires. On the expiration of the term of any member the Governor shall appoint for a term of 5 years a person having the qualifications hereinabove specified to take the place of the member whose term has expired, and who shall hold office until the expiration of the term and until a successor has been appointed and qualified.
    The Director of the Agency or an authorized representative shall serve as secretary of the Advisory Board without any additional compensation. The Director or an authorized representative shall attend all meetings of the Advisory Board, keep minutes, and take part in its discussion, but shall not be entitled to vote.
    The Advisory Board shall select one of its members to serve as Chairman at the first regular meeting in each calendar year.
    The Advisory Board shall meet annually and at such intervals as may be necessary to transact business which may come before it upon call of the Agency, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, or any 3 of its members. Any 3 members shall constitute a quorum.
    The Secretary shall see that accurate minutes are kept of all duly constituted meetings of the Advisory Board.
    Members of the Advisory Board shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred while traveling and performing duties under this Act. Such expenses shall be paid from funds of the Agency appropriated therefor.
    The Advisory Board shall have the authority to review contested Agency reciprocity determinations. The Advisory Board must provide applicants who are denied reciprocity with an opportunity to appear before the Board. The Advisory Board shall review the decision to deny reciprocity and must provide a recommendation to the Agency.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/12) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 512)
    Sec. 12. (a) The Pollution Control Board shall, upon the sworn written request of the applicant or certificate holder, conduct hearings or proceedings for the Agency's refusal to issue, suspension, revocation, or denied renewal of certificates of persons applying for or holding certification under the provisions of this Act.
    (b) Hearings shall be conducted under Rules and Regulations adopted by the Pollution Control Board outlining the procedures to be followed in conducting a hearing.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/13) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 513)
    Sec. 13. Community Water Supply Operators shall be certified in accordance with the following classifications:
    (a) A "Class A" Water Supply Operator Certificate shall be issued to those persons who, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this Act, demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the chemical, biological, and physical sciences essential to the practical mechanics of coagulation, lime softening, and sedimentation, and distribution in a manner which will provide safe, potable water for human consumption. This includes all surface water community water supplies. The operators will also demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the treatment processes outlined in Sections 13 (b), 13 (c), and 13 (d) of this Act.
    (b) A "Class B" Water Supply Operator Certificate shall be issued to those persons who, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 through 23 of this Act, demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the chemical, biological, and physical sciences essential to the practical mechanics of filtration, aeration and filtration, and ion exchange systems, and distribution in a manner which will provide safe, potable water for human consumption. The operators will also demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the treatment processes outlined in Sections 13 (c) and 13 (d) of this Act.
    (c) A "Class C" Water Supply Operator Certificate shall be issued to those persons who, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this Act, demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the chemical, biological, and physical sciences essential to the practical mechanics of chemical feeding and disinfection and distribution in a manner which will provide safe, potable water for human consumption. The operators will also demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the treatment processes outlined in Section 13 (d) of this Act.
    (d) A "Class D" Water Supply Operator Certificate shall be issued to those persons who, in accordance with the provisions of Sections 1 through 23 of this Act, demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the chemical, biological, and physical sciences essential to the practical mechanics of pumpage, storage, and distribution in a manner which will provide safe, potable water for human consumption.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/14) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 514)
    Sec. 14. Every community water supply operator certified by the Agency shall be capable of performing his or her duties without endangering the health and well being of the populace; shall be able to read and write English; and shall produce evidence acceptable to the Agency as to his or her character and his or her ability to maintain and operate properly the structures and equipment entrusted to the operator's care. In addition, water supply operators shall be certified as Class "A", Class "B", Class "C", Class "D" operators in accordance with classes based on the level of competency determined by examination and in accordance with educational and experience levels as follows:
    (a) Class "A" and Class "B" Water Supply Operator Certificates require graduation from high school or equivalent and not less than 3 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in water supply operation or management as described in Sections 13 and 14 of this Act.
    (b)  Class "C" Water Supply Operator Certificates require graduation from high school or the equivalent and not less than one year of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in water supply operation or management as described in Sections 13 and 14 of this Act.
    (c)  Class "D" Water Supply Operator Certificates require graduation from high school or equivalent and not less than 6 months of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in water supply operation or management as described in Sections 13 and 14 of this Act.
    (d) The requirement for graduation from high school or the equivalent shall be waived for community water supply operators certified prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly and for community water supply operators certified under Section 19(a) of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/15) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 515)
    Sec. 15.
    Appropriate credit, to be applied against the experience requirement, shall be granted by the Agency on the following basis:
    (a) The Agency shall grant appropriate credit for attendance and successful completion of waterworks seminars, waterworks short courses, waterworks workshops, and applicable correspondence courses. The maximum allowable credit for such non‑college‑credit educational endeavor shall be one year.
    (b) The Agency shall grant one year credit for the satisfactory completion of each one fourth of the total hours of academic credit required for the awarding of a Baccalaureate Degree in a curriculum associated with a phase of water supply operation. The maximum allowable credit for such college‑credit educational endeavor shall be one and one‑half years.
    (c) Not more than one‑half of the experience requirements for the various certificate classes shall be satisfied by the granting of any equivalent experience credit.
(Source: P. A. 78‑810.)

    (415 ILCS 45/16) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 516)
    Sec. 16. Applications for certification shall:
    (a) Be on forms prescribed and furnished by the Agency;
    (b) Contain statements showing applicant's education and experience;
    (c) Contain not less than 3 references; and
    (d) Be accompanied by the proper fee as provided in Section 22 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/17) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 517)
    Sec. 17. Examinations provided for in Section 10 of this Act shall be given to community water supply operator certification applicants for the purpose of determining if said applicants can demonstrate the necessary skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment of the sciences and mechanics of water supply operation as outlined in Section 13 of this Act.
    (a) Examinations shall be of separate classifications as outlined in Section 13 of this Act.
    (b) Examinations shall be conducted by the Agency, and shall be held not less frequently than annually, at times and places prescribed by the Agency, of which applicants shall be notified by the Agency in writing.
    (c) Unless issued under grandparenting in Section 19 of this Act, or under reciprocity in Section 20 of this Act, no certificate shall be issued prior to successful completion of the applicable examination.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/18) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 518)
    Sec. 18. The Water Supply Operator Certificate shall certify the competency of the applicant within the class of certificate issued, and shall show the full name of the applicant and be signed by the Director.
    (a) Certificates shall be issued for a period of 3 years, with the expiration date being three years from the first day of July of the calendar year in which the certificate is issued.
    (b) Every 3 years, on or before the July 1 expiration, a certified community water supply operator shall renew his or her certificate of competency and pay the required renewal fee. A grace period for renewal will be granted until August 1 of that year before the restoration fee is assessed as provided in Section 22 of this Act.
    (c) A certified water supply operator may renew his or her certificate every 3 years upon a showing, prior to certificate renewal, that:
        (1) in the case of a Class "A" or Class "B"
     operator, he or she has completed a minimum of 30 hours of training as determined by the Agency for certificate renewal during the period of 3 years; or
        (2) in the case of a Class "C" or Class "D"
     operator, he or she has completed a minimum of 15 hours of training as determined by the Agency for certificate renewal during the period of 3 years.
    (d) An individual whose certificate of competency has been expired for less than 2 years may have his or her certificate restored only upon payment of the required restoration fee and upon a showing that the individual has completed the required training. An individual whose certificate has been expired for more than 2 years may reapply for certification as a water supply operator.
    (e) Any certified Community Water Supply Operator whose certificate of competency has expired while the operator was engaged in Federal Service on Active Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, including United States Merchant Marines, or in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his or her certificate of competency restored without paying any lapsed renewal fee or restoration fee or passing any additional examination if, within one year after termination of such service, training, or education, other than by dishonorable discharge, the operator furnishes the Agency with an affidavit to the effect that the operator was so engaged and that his or her service, training, or education was so terminated.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/19) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 519)
    Sec. 19. (a) The registered person in responsible charge of a previously exempt community water supply on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly may be issued a certificate of competency, with no fee required, after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly for the community water supply for which the individual is registered. The community water supply owner must make application for grandparenting of the operator in responsible charge within 2 years of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly. This certificate is non‑transferable, site specific, and is not valid if the water system is reclassified to a higher level.
    (b) Each individual who is issued a certificate of competency under Section 19(a) of this Act may renew the certificate every 3 years in accordance with the renewal requirements of Sections 18 and 22 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91‑84, eff. 7‑9‑99.)

    (415 ILCS 45/20) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 520)
    Sec. 20. The Agency shall, upon application and payment of the proper fee, issue a certificate of competency to any person who holds an unexpired certificate of competency issued by any state or territory or possession of the United States or of any country, if:
    (a) the requirements for the certificate of competency under which the certificate of competency was issued do not conflict with and are substantially equal to those specified by Sections 1 through 23 of this Act; and
    (b) the particular state or territory or possession of the United States or country extends similar privileges to persons certified under Sections 1 through