16 Del. Admin. Code § 4463-6.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4463-6.0 - License Classification and Operator Qualifications

6.1 License Classification

6.1.1 Base-level water supply operator with all applicable endorsements as stated in subsection 5.2 .1 is hereby established.

6.1.2 Four specialty class licenses are also established:

6.1.2.1 Operator-in-training (OIT) license;

6.1.2.2 Grandfather clause license;

6.1.2.3 Limited license; and

6.1.2.4 Distribution license.

6.2 Operator Qualifications

6.2.1 Base-level water supply operator qualifications shall be:

6.2.1.1 High School Diploma or equivalent and one year of acceptable operating experience; or three years of acceptable operating experience; and

6.2.1.2 Successful completion of the base-level license written examination.

6.2.2 A water treatment OIT who lacks either the education or experience requirements for a base-level license may receive an interim OIT license for a maximum of one year, pending fulfillment of the regular license requirements. The interim OIT license depends on approval by the Secretary, recommendation by the Advisory Council, and successful completion of the base-level license written examination.

6.2.2.1 An OIT licensee must be employed at a water system performing the duties of an operator consistent with the definition of operator in these regulations continuously for one year before becoming eligible for a base-level license.

6.2.2.1.1 An applicant that passes the base-level license examination or distribution license examination must obtain employment with a Delaware community water system or non-transient non-community water system within two years of passing the examination. Failure to obtain employment within the two-year period will require retaking the appropriate examination and submittal of a new application with the applicable fee.

6.2.2.2 An OIT licensee must submit an application for a base-level license 30 days prior to the expiration of the OIT license in order to be eligible for a base-level license.

6.2.3 An operator who works for a non-transient non-community water system that is required to have a licensed operator may obtain a limited license. A limited license shall not be transferable to another public water system.

6.2.3.1 To obtain a limited license an operator must attend a course approved by the Division and pass the examination.

6.2.3.2 At the discretion of the Division, a limited license operator may be required to obtain endorsements for treatment and distribution processes used by the facility in the time frame set by the Division.

6.2.3.3 To renew a limited license, a limited license operator must obtain the required number of continuing education units in accordance with subsection 7.3.2 and submit an application with the applicable fee.

6.2.4 A distribution system operator may obtain a distribution license when they are responsible for oversight of a distribution system and have no responsibilities for operations at the treatment plant.

6.2.4.1 The qualifications for a distribution license shall include:

6.2.4.1.1 A high school diploma or equivalent and one year of acceptable operating experience, or three years of acceptable operating experience; and

6.2.4.1.2 Successful completion of the distribution license written examination.

6.2.5 A circuit rider/contract operator must meet the following requirements:

6.2.5.1 Obtain certification for all endorsements required for the water systems for which the circuit rider/contract operator is in direct responsible charge or operates.

6.2.5.2 Complete three weekly visits at each water system that provides any treatment and make at least one weekly visit for each system that has no treatment. The Advisory Council may adjust this number upon written request from the operator or owner of the water system justifying the requested change.

6.2.5.2.1 The number of weekly visits at each water system must be documented on forms approved by the Division and made available upon request. Information documented shall include, but not be limited to, the name of the water system, name of the operator, date of visit, time of visit, and activities performed.

6.2.5.2.2 For the purposes of this subsection, a DRC circuit rider/contract operator must be available in the event of an emergency to provide timely assistance that adequately addresses the emergency.

6.2.6 The Secretary shall not issue new grandfather clause licenses except for the license renewal of current grandfather clause licensees.

6.2.7 An applicant for any endorsements or sub-endorsements must have a minimum of one year of acceptable operating experience with the treatment process or distribution system in order to receive the endorsement on the license. Applicants that pass the endorsement examination, in accordance with subsection 7.1.1, may receive an OIT license for up to one year in order to obtain the necessary experience.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4463-6.0

23 DE Reg. 928( 5/1/2020) (final)