Section Env-Wq 304.29 - Wastewater Treatment Plant Owner Responsibilities(a) As specified in RSA 485-A:5-a, wastewater treatment plants shall be operated only by certified operators.(b) Each wastewater treatment plant owner that is subject to these rules shall designate: (1) An individual to be the operator in responsible charge who is certified in the grade equal to or greater than the classification of the plant; and(2) An individual to be the back-up certified operator available to be in responsible charge of the plant in the absence of the usual certified operator in responsible charge, who is certified in a grade no more than one grade lower than the grade of the facility or an OIT certificate in the grade of the facility, provided that in the case of a grade I plant, the back-up operator shall hold a grade I certificate or higher.(c) The wastewater treatment plant owner shall notify the certification committee of the following within 10 working days:(1) The name of the individual designated to be the operator in responsible charge; and(2) Any termination of the operator in responsible charge.(d) A notification required by (c), above, may be made by email, fax, or letter.(e) The wastewater treatment plant owner shall hire a replacement for the operator in responsible charge or the back-up operator, as applicable, as soon as practicable after a termination occurs, taking into consideration:(1) The owner's personnel code or other applicable requirements, including but not limited to the terms of any collective bargaining agreement extant in the municipality relative to hiring and promotions; and(2) The public interest in an open competitive recruitment process for selection of qualified public employees.(f) The committee shall give temporary approval for a wastewater treatment plant owner to hire an operator one grade below the required grade upon written request to the committee, provided the operator is qualified to take, and does take, the next scheduled examination in the next highest grade. If the operator does not pass the examination, the temporary approval shall be extended to allow one retest at the next scheduled examination.N.H. Code Admin. R. Env-Wq 304.29
(See Revision Note at part heading for Env-Wq 304) #10392, eff 8-1-13