In addition to the definitions in G.S. 90A-46, the following definitions shall apply throughout this Subchapter:

(1) "Activated sludge" means a biological wastewater treatment process in which biodegradable pollutants in wastewater are absorbed, or adsorbed, by living aerobic organisms and bacteria in an aerated suspension that is separated from the treated wastewater.

(2) "Actual experience" means the time working as a water pollution control system operator or operator in responsible charge. An operator is an individual whose job responsibility is the physical operation of process equipment and systems at a water pollution control system. Job responsibilities such as laboratory testing, facility and equipment maintenance, administrative support, or direct or indirect supervision do not qualify as actual experience.

(3) "ATU" means aerobic treatment unit and refers to a treatment component that utilizes oxygen to degrade or decompose wastewater with or without mechanical means. The term is used to describe proprietary devices that use direct introduction of air into wastewater by mechanical means to maintain aerobic conditions.

(4) "Approved training" means any training required for examination eligibility or to meet continuing education requirements as established in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0400 and 15A NCAC 08G .0701.

(5) "Back-up ORC" means Back-up Operator in Responsible Charge and refers to the operator who is designated to act as surrogate for the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) when the ORC is absent from his or her professional duties as set forth in G.S. 90A-44.

(6) "Basic sciences" means courses in agronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, engineering, environmental health and sciences, geology, math, physics, soil science, and zoology offered by a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(7) "Chemical process" means a water pollution control system process consisting of the addition of chemicals to treat wastewaters.

(8) "Collection system" means a connection of pipelines, conduits, pumping stations, and other related constructions or devices used to conduct wastewater to a water pollution control system.

(9) "Commission" means the Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission created by G.S. 143B-300.

(10) "Contact Hour" means one hour of Commission-approved operator instruction in accordance with 15A NCAC 08G .0701.

(11) "Contract operations firm" means any commercial water pollution control system operations firm that contracts with the owner of a water pollution control system to provide operational services for the system pursuant to G.S. 90A-45(a).

(12) "Contract operator" means any certified water pollution control system operator who contracts with the owner of a water pollution control system to provide operational and other services for the system pursuant to G.S. 90A-45(a).

(13) "Electrodialysis system" means a system utilizing a selective separation of dissolved solids process that is based on electrical charge and diffusion through a semipermeable membrane.

(14) "GED" means general educational development in reference to a high school diploma equivalency.

(15) "Media filter" means a device that uses materials designed to treat effluent by reducing biochemical oxygen demand and removing suspended solids in an unsaturated environment. Biological treatment is facilitated via microbial growth on the surface of the media.

(16) "Operator in Training (OIT)" means the certificate issued with Commission approval to an individual prior to the completion of the experience requirements for that level of certification.

(17) "Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC)" means the individual designated by a person, firm, or corporation (municipal or private) owning or having control of a water pollution control system as the operator of record of the water pollution control system and who has primary responsibility for the operation of such system as defined in G.S. 90A-46

(18) "Owner" means the person, firm, or corporation (municipal or private) owning or having control of a water pollution control system as defined in G.S. 90A-44.

(19) "Passing score" means earning 70 percent of the available points on an examination administered by the Commission.

(20) "Physical/Chemical system" means any water pollution control system that utilizes a physical or a chemical process or both.

(21) "Physical process" means any water pollution control system process consisting of electrodialysis, adsorption, absorption, air stripping, gravimetric sedimentation, flotation, or filtration as the means of treatment.

(22) "Reciprocity certificate" means a certificate issued of the appropriate type and grade to an applicant certified in another state and who meets all other requirements set forth in Rule .0410 of this Section.

(23) "Regional office" means one of the seven local offices of the Department of Environmental Quality located across the State.

(24) "Residuals" means any solid, semisolid, or liquid waste, other than effluent or residues from agricultural products and processing, generated from a water pollution control facility, water supply treatment facility, or air pollution control facility permitted under the authority of the Environmental Management Commission or the Commission for Public Health.

(25) "Reverse osmosis system" means a system that utilizes solutions and semipermeable membranes to separate and treat wastewaters.

(26) "Submerged fixed growth" means a biological wastewater treatment system in which the wastewater is treated by contact with a biological growth that is fixed to submerged support media and includes systems such as rotating biological contactors and sequencing batch reactors.

(27) "Successful completion" means the attendance of 80 percent of the approved training for examination eligibility and 100 percent of training for continuing education.

(28) "Temporary certificate" means a certificate issued of an appropriate type and grade, without examination, to any person employed as a water pollution control system operator when the Commission finds that the supply of certified operators, or persons with the training and experience necessary for certification, is inadequate and the situation meets the requirements set forth in G.S. 90A-40(e).

(29) "Ultrafiltration system" means a system that utilizes a membrane filter process to remove pollutants from wastewater.

(30) "Valid certificate" means the certificate of an operator that has all required renewal fees paid, all required continuing education training completed, and has not been revoked, relinquished, invalidated, or suspended.

(31) "Water pollution control system" means any system for the collection, treatment, or disposal of wastewater and is classified under the provisions of G.S. 90A-37.

History Note: Authority G.S. 143B-300;

Eff. April 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2006;

Readopted Eff. September 1, 2018.