On January 29, 2002 the Board adopted revisions to Regulation No. 100, Water and Wastewater Facility Operator Certification Requirements [5 CCR 1003-2] to establish a new subsection 100.14.6, regarding "supplemental training" both on an emergency basis pursuant to § 24-4-103(6), C.R.S., and as a final rule pursuant to § 24-4-103, C.R.S.
The Board has established a new category for "supplemental training" courses. These courses are those that are found to provide useful operator knowledge but are not directly related to water or wastewater facility operations. Examples of such courses would include courses on topics such as first aid or word processing skills, which provide general knowledge that may be useful to certified operators, but do not contribute directly to an operator's professional water or wastewater facility expertise and knowledge. Supplemental training courses would be ones that do not fall into the specific categories listed in subsection 100.14.4 (a) through (e).
The Board has determined that it is appropriate to allow training units associated with such supplemental training courses to be used for up to (but not more than) 50% of the training requirements to renew a certificate. This system will allow operators to get credit for obtaining training in useful general subject matter areas, while assuring that at least half of the training units relied on for renewal are related to courses that are directly applicable to water and wastewater facility operational expertise.
The Board's permanent rule adoption complies with the hearing procedures and notice requirements of § 24-4-103, C.R.S. The Board concludes that adoption of the same requirements on an emergency basis is imperatively necessary to protection of public health and safety and that compliance with the effective date provisions of § 24-4-103, C.R.S., would be contrary to the public interest. The purpose of the emergency adoption is to assure that operators seeking certificate renewal prior to the effective date of the permanent rule obtain training that is directly related to water and wastewater facility operational expertise, thereby advancing the purposes of operator certification -- protection of public health and safety. In addition, emergency adoption will minimize confusion and inequity between the types of approval given to operator training courses in 2002.
5 CCR 1003-2-100.35