a)
Training
1) The Agency accepts training hours
related to the technical aspects of wastewater treatment and operation. These
hours include, but are not limited to, the following:
Activated Sludge
Aeration
Backwash of Filters
Chemical Addition
Chlorinators
Clarifiers
Collection Systems
Digesters
Discharge Monitoring Reports
Disinfection
Electrical Maintenance
Fixed Film Processes
Flow Measurement
Imhoff Tanks
Instrumentation
Intermittent Sand Filters
Laboratory Procedures
Lagoons
Mathematics
Maintenance of Treatment Works
Operational Control Lab Analysis
Oxidation Ditches
Package Aeration
Preliminary Treatment
Primary Treatment
Process Control Decisions
Pumps and Motors
Reports and Recordkeeping
SCADA System Training
Screening
Secondary Clarifiers
Sedimentation
Sludge Drying Beds
Sludge Press
Tertiary Treatment
Trickling Filters
2) The Agency accepts training hours related
to professional responsibilities of wastewater treatment operators and safety.
These hours include, but are not limited to, the following:
Administration and Management
Computer Workshops
Emergency Planning and Preparation
First Aid
Safety
3)
The Agency accepts training hours earned by assisting a Group 2, Group 3, or
Group 4 facility classified as a Category I Noncompliance for effluent limits
pursuant to 40 CFR
123.45(a)(2)(iii).
AGENCY NOTE: Category I Noncompliance is also known by USEPA
as "Significant Noncompliance" or "SNC".
A) Hours under this subsection (a)(3) must be
approved by the Agency before an operator begins assisting a facility.
B) Hours earned under this
subsection are considered related to the technical aspects of wastewater
treatment and operation.
C) Hours
include, but are not limited to, the following topics:
i) Evaluating the facility to identify causes
of NPDES permit non-compliance including a comprehensive review of the facility
design, operation, and administrative practices;
ii) Recommending innovative and
cost-effective solutions for improving performance;
iii) Providing training of operating
personnel;
iv) Evaluating current
facility loadings and capacities;
v) Formulating and implementing operational
or preventative maintenance programs;
vi) Recommending operational improvements to
existing sludge handling and disposal procedures;
vii) Investigating industrial dischargers'
impact on the wastewater treatment system; and
viii) Helping to identify inflow and
infiltration sources impacting the sewer systems.
b) Training Exclusions.
Types of training activities that do not directly relate to wastewater
treatment or the professional responsibilities of the operator shall not be
accepted as renewal training credit. These activities include, but are not
limited to, the following:
1) Entertainment
or recreational activities;
2) On
the job work or apprenticeships except as allowed under subsection
(a)(3);
3) Personal
self-improvement courses;
4) Plant
tours (unless wastewater treatment training is integrated into the
tour);
5) Portions of meetings and
conferences when wastewater related training is not provided (e.g., business
session, lunch, breaks, etc.);
6)
Time spent viewing conference/meeting exhibits; and
7) Travel time to and from training
activities.
c) Training
may be provided by any of the variety of organizations equipped to provide
training, including but not limited to: colleges and universities, technical
institutes, educational units of governmental or industrial agencies,
professional operator organizations, and equipment suppliers and manufacturers,
or knowledgeable wastewater operations experts.
d) Acceptable training formats include
classroom courses, teleconferences, courses offered via the internet,
workshops, seminars, correspondence courses, in-house training programs, and
wastewater treatment works related training sessions at conferences/meetings of
professional operator organizations.
e) Teachers or presenters of training will be
credited with double the number of hours that operators receive for
successfully completing the training event. This credit is allowed only for the
first time the training is given.
f) Training must be approved by the Agency.
Either training providers or certified operators may request approval of
training from the Agency.
g)
Training providers must provide proof of training documentation to trainees in
order for the training to be accepted for certificate renewal.
h) Training accrued during periods that a
certificate is suspended or revoked may not be applied toward meeting the
renewal requirements.
