The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) “Backflow assembly tester” means a person in charge of inspecting, testing, maintaining, and repairing backflow assemblies, devices, and air gaps that protect the public water system.

(2) “Certificate” means a certificate of competency issued by the secretary stating that the operator has met the requirements for the specified operator classification of the certification program.

(3) “Certified operator” means an individual holding a valid certificate and employed or appointed by any county, water-sewer district, municipality, public or private corporation, company, institution, person, federal agency, or the state of Washington and who is designated by the employing or appointing officials as the person responsible for active daily technical operation.

(4) “Cross-connection control specialist” means a person in charge of developing and implementing cross-connection control programs.

(5) “Department” means the department of health.

(6) “Distribution system” means that portion of a public water system which stores, transmits, pumps and distributes water to consumers.

(7) “Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water” means any water beneath the surface of the ground with:

(a) Significant occurrence of insects or other macroorganisms, algae, or large diameter pathogens such as giardia lamblia; or

(b) Significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH which closely correlate to climatological or surface water conditions.

(8) “Group A water system” means a system with fifteen or more service connections, regardless of the number of people; or a system serving an average of twenty-five or more people per day for sixty or more days within a calendar year, regardless of the number of service connections.

(9) “Nationally recognized association of certification authorities” shall mean an organization which serves as an information center for certification activities, recommends minimum standards and guidelines for classification of potable water treatment plants, water distribution systems and wastewater facilities and certification of operators, facilitates reciprocity between state programs and assists authorities in establishing new certification programs and updating existing ones.

(10) “Operator” includes backflow assembly tester, certified operator, and cross-connection control specialist as these terms are defined in this section.

(11) “Public water system” means any system, excluding a system serving only one single-family residence and a system with four or fewer connections all of which serve residences on the same farm, providing piped water for human consumption, including any collection, treatment, storage, or distribution facilities under control of the purveyor and used primarily in connection with the system; and collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under control of the purveyor but primarily used in connection with the system.

(12) “Purification plant” means that portion of a public water system which treats or improves the physical, chemical or bacteriological quality of the system’s water to bring the water into compliance with state board of health standards.

(13) “Secretary” means the secretary of the department of health.

(14) “Service” means a connection to a public water system designed to serve a single-family residence, dwelling unit, or equivalent use. If the facility has group home or barracks-type accommodations, three persons will be considered equivalent to one service.

(15) “Surface water” means all water open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff.

Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.

Effective date—Part headings not law—Severability—1995 c 269: See notes following RCW 18.16.050.

Public water supply systems to comply with water quality standards: RCW 70A.130.050.