(a) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, both municipal and private, operating a water supply system or wastewater system, to operate the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, water distribution system, or wastewater collection system unless the competency of the operators in direct charge of such system are duly certified by the commissioner under this part in effect on and after May 25, 1984, or under former chapter 13, part 3 of this title in effect prior to May 25, 1984.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class C misdemeanorup to 30 daysup to $50
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 68-221-904

  • Commissioner: means the commissioner of environment and conservation or the commissioner's duly authorized representative. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Wastewater collection system: means the entire system of pipes, valves, pumping stations and appurtenances through which wastewater is collected and conveyed to the wastewater treatment plant. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
  • Wastewater treatment plant: means the facility or group of units provided for the treatment of wastewater, either or both domestic and industrial wastes. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
  • 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. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
  • Water supply system: means the system of pipes, structures and facilities through which water is obtained, treated, and sold, distributed or otherwise offered to the public for household use or any use by humans, if such system has at least fifteen (15) service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five (25) individuals at least one hundred twenty (120) days or at least sixty (60) consecutive days out of the year. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
  • Water treatment plant: means the portion of the water supply system which in some way alters the physical, chemical or bacteriological quality of the water. See Tennessee Code 68-221-903
(b) Any municipality, utility district, corporation, or persons violating any provisions of this part or the rules and regulations adopted thereunder commits a Class C misdemeanor, and each day in violation constitutes a separate offense.
(c)

(1) Additionally, any municipality, utility district, corporation or persons violating any provisions of this part, or the rules and regulations adopted thereunder, shall be subject to civil penalties up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day, for each day during which the violation occurs.
(2) The commissioner has the duty and authority to levy civil penalties authorized in subdivision (c)(1), the duty and authority to issue orders requiring compliance with this part, and to hold show cause meetings with the persons or entities to whom the orders are proposed to be issued.