Texas Basic Waste Water Operations Ch#02 The Operator and The Law

The roles of supervision and management are to, assign work, provide safety training, provide tools, and secure permits/finance.

Operator responsibilities include protecting the public from waterborne disease, protecting state water from pollution, performing duties professionally, maintaining or upgrading licensing requirements, practicing personal and public safety, and controlling system operating costs. NOTE: Operators are neither required nor expected to control inflation.

The goal of this act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological integrity of the nation’s water. Some goals and policies established by the Clean Water Act include pollution elimination, and shellfish and wildlife protection.

Chapter 26 of the Texas Water Code is the state law controlling water pollution, and gives the TCEQ authority to control wastewater discharges in Texas.

The functions TCEQ performs are setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act. The TCEQ also administers the state water conservation plan with the goal of maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and wildlife preservation duties. The duties of the TCEQ include licensing wastewater operators, conducting inspections, collecting fees, enforcing regulations, penalizing violators, and issuing permits.

There are requirements that can potentially be substituted or waived to take the test, but to become a licensed operator you ultimately have to pass the test.

The licensed operator is the key to pollution control. Wastewater operation is a job involving biology, mechanics, and chemistry in a world of legal requirements. The trainee will be licensed upon passing a written test administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the state agency regulating water pollution. If a wastewater plant employee is responsible for process control, he or she must be licensed by the state.

Local governments have authority to inspect/investigate facilities using the collection system, enforce local pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges. Local governments may inspect water quality within the jurisdiction to determine that standards are met, dischargers have permits, and permits are followed. Local governments may make discharge rules to protect personnel, the wastewater system, and the treatment facility. Local governments can bring suit to enforce their rules. Cities with populations greater than 10,000 should have a water pollution control program.

Local governments have authority to inspect/investigate facilities using the collection system, enforce local pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges. Local governments may inspect water quality within the jurisdiction to determine that standards are met, dischargers have permits, and permits are followed. Local governments may make discharge rules to protect personnel, the wastewater system, and the treatment facility. Local governments can bring suit to enforce their rules. Cities with populations greater than 10,000 should have a water pollution control program.

Local governments have authority to inspect/investigate facilities using the collection system, enforce local pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges. Local governments may inspect water quality within the jurisdiction to determine that standards are met, dischargers have permits, and permits are followed. Local governments may make discharge rules to protect personnel, the wastewater system, and the treatment facility. Local governments can bring suit to enforce their rules. Cities with populations greater than 10,000 should have a water pollution control program. NOTE: please notice that i have used the same explanation several times because the same paragraph has been referenced multiple time.... could be that its important....

Local governments have authority to inspect/investigate facilities using the collection system, enforce local pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges. Local governments may inspect water quality within the jurisdiction to determine that standards are met, dischargers have permits, and permits are followed. Local governments may make discharge rules to protect personnel, the wastewater system, and the treatment facility. Local governments can bring suit to enforce their rules. Cities with populations greater than 10,000 should have a water pollution control program.

Local governments have authority to inspect/investigate facilities using the collection system, enforce local pollution control laws, set discharge rules, and collect user charges. Local governments may inspect water quality within the jurisdiction to determine that standards are met, dischargers have permits, and permits are followed. Local governments may make discharge rules to protect personnel, the wastewater system, and the treatment facility. Local governments can bring suit to enforce their rules. Cities with populations greater than 10,000 should have a water pollution control program.

The functions TCEQ performs are setting water quality standards, monitoring discharges, and enforcing the Clean Water Act. The TCEQ also administers the state water conservation plan with the goal of maintaining water quality for public health, commercial use, and wildlife preservation duties. The duties of the TCEQ include licensing wastewater operators, conducting inspections, collecting fees, enforcing regulations, penalizing violators, and issuing permits.

The TCEQ can revoke an operator’s license if the operator causes a permit violation, falsifies records or license applications, or neglects duties. Disciplinary action taken by the TCEQ against an operator is public information. Licenses are not revoked if management does not provide enough money for plant operation or the plant design is at fault.

All accidental discharges or spills of treated or untreated wastewater shall be reported within 24 hours of the occurrence. A written submission shall be provided to the executive direct within five days of the occurrence. The written submission shall contain a description of the accidental discharge or spill and its cause; the potential danger to human health or safety, or the environment; the duration of the accidental discharge or spill, including exact dates and times; if the cause of the accidental discharge or spill has not been corrected, the time it is expected to continue; and steps taken or planned to reduce, eliminate, and prevent reoccurrence, and to mitigate its adverse effects.

If a violation occurs, the TCEQ issues a report and recommends a penalty, usually administrative, which may cost up to $25,000 per day per violation. Penalty assessment considers physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and economic benefit accrued. Penalties are levied for failing to submit reports, failing to report bypasses, and failing to obtain a permit. The TCEQ only authorizes discharge of untreated wastewater by an emergency order.

If a violation occurs, the TCEQ issues a report and recommends a penalty, usually administrative, which may cost up to $25,000 per day per violation. Penalty assessment considers physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and economic benefit accrued. Penalties are levied for failing to submit reports, failing to report bypasses, and failing to obtain a permit. The TCEQ only authorizes discharge of untreated wastewater by an emergency order.

If a violation occurs, the TCEQ issues a report and recommends a penalty, usually administrative, which may cost up to $25,000 per day per violation. Penalty assessment considers physical effect, intentions, responsibility, and economic benefit accrued. Penalties are levied for failing to submit reports, failing to report bypasses, and failing to obtain a permit. The TCEQ only authorizes discharge of untreated wastewater by an emergency order.

The commission sets permit conditions, permit duration, discharge point, discharge quantity, discharge quality, and monitoring requirements.

In accordance with 30 TAC 319.7 (d), unless otherwise specified in the permit, a monthly effluent report must be submitted for each discharge described in the permit by the 20th day of the following month. The monthly effluent report will indicate whether or not a discharge was made for that month. The authorized agent or executive officer must sign the report.

In accordance with 30 TAC 319.7 (d), unless otherwise specified in the permit, a monthly effluent report must be submitted for each discharge described in the permit by the 20th day of the following month. The monthly effluent report will indicate whether or not a discharge was made for that month. The authorized agent or executive officer must sign the report.

A treatment plant must keep records of plant operation and laboratory results. Required records, such as flow and effluent quality, must be kept at least three years. Sludge records must be kept five years. Records help operators prepare reports, monitor the plant, justify plant modifications and support budget requests.