Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-10-1-.02

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 02, November 27, 2024

Section 335-10-1-.02 - Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:

(a) "Activated sludge process plant" means a wastewater treatment plant employing a biological wastewater treatment process in which a mixture of wastewater and a coagulum or gel composed of bacteria and other microorganisms is agitated and aerated in the presence of a sufficient concentration of dissolved oxygen so that the gel can sorb dissolved and finely divided organic particles from the wastewater. The gel or sludge is subsequently separated by sedimentation and is wasted or returned to the aeration process as required. Activated sludge consists of, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Conventional activated sludge;

2. Extended aeration;

3. Complete-mix aerated lagoon; and

4. Contact stabilization.

(b) "Advanced groundwater treatment plant" means a water treatment plant employing any treatment of greater technical sophistication than aeration, disinfection, corrosion control, pressure filtration and fluoridation for the treatment of water from a well or spring.

(c) "Basic groundwater treatment plant" means a water treatment plant employing treatment for corrosion control, disinfection, pressure filtration, slow sand filtration and/or fluoridation for treatment of water from a well or spring.

(d) "Surface water treatment plant" means a water treatment plant designed and operated for the treatment of surface water supplies. This definition also includes treatment plants which have groundwater under the influence of surface water as the source.

(e) "Certification" means the certificate of competency issued by the Director stating that the operator has met the requirements for the specified operator classification of the certification program.

(f) "Department" means the Alabama Department of Environmental Management established by Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-22A-4.

(g) "Director" means the Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, appointed pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-22A-4.

(h) "Operator" means the person on duty who has direct responsibility for the operation of a water treatment plant, water distribution system, public wastewater collection system or wastewater treatment plant. A person shall be deemed to have direct responsibility for the operation of a water treatment plant, water distribution system or wastewater treatment plant if he in fact supervises or directs the operation of a water treatment plant, water distribution system or wastewater treatment plant, or makes process control decisions.

(i) "Operator intern" means a person who has successfully passed the operator examination but has not yet obtained the necessary experience to become certified.

(j) "Person" means a natural person.

(k) "Process control decision" means a decision regarding the daily operational activities of a water system or wastewater system that will directly impact the quality and/or quantity of drinking water or treated wastewater.

(l) "Public wastewater collection system" means the system of pipes, structures, and facilities through which wastewater, municipal sewage, or wastes, of a liquid nature is received, collected, stored, transported, or delivered into a wastewater treatment plant.

(m) "Restricted certificate" means an operator certificate issued without examination which is valid only for a particular plant or system and cannot be transferred to another plant.

(n) "Trickling filter and/or biological contactor process plant" means a wastewater treatment plant employing a treatment process whereby the wastewater is passed over a medium upon which grows bacteria and other microorganisms that sorb and oxidize soluble and finely dissolved organic matter. Subsequent sedimentation separates the resulting settleable solids from the process effluent.

(o) "Wastewater treatment lagoon" means a wastewater treatment plant employing an excavation designed and constructed to receive raw or pretreated wastewater in which stabilization is accomplished by several natural and photosynthetic (algal) self-purification phenomena with or without supplemental aeration. Wastewater treatment lagoon consists of, but is not limited to the following:

1. Non-aerated;

2. Partial mix;

3. Hydrograph control release (HCR);

4. Aquaculture and constructed wetlands.

(p) "Wastewater treatment plant" means the facility or group of units used for the treatment of wastewater from public wastewater collection systems and for the reduction or handling of solids removed from such wastewater.

(q) "Water distribution system" means that portion of the water supply system in which water is conveyed from the water treatment plant or other supply point to the premises of the consumer.

(r) "Water treatment plant" means that portion of the water supply system which in some way alters the physical, chemical or bacteriological quality of the water.

(s) "Water supply system" means the system of pipes, structures and facilities through which a public water supply is obtained, treated and sold or distributed for human consumption for household use and which serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.

(t) "Working experience" means experience that is gained from actual hands-on operation of a water or wastewater treatment plant, water distribution system or public wastewater collection system. Excluded from this definition is work of a clerical or administrative nature.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 335-10-1-.02

September 18, 1986. Amended: Filed May 25, 1994; Effective: July 1, 1994. Amended: Filed May 2, 2000; effective May 6, 2000. Amended: Filed December 19, 2002; effective January 23, 2003. Amended: Filed October 21, 2004; effective November 25, 2004. Amended: Filed February 27, 2007; effective April 3, 2007.

Authors: Joe Alan Power, Aubrey White

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-22A-5, 22-22A-6, 22-22A-8, 22-25-11, 22-25-13.