Connecticut General Statutes 22a-416 – Pollution of waterways. Qualifications of operators. Delegation of authority
(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall examine all existing or proposed disposal systems, and shall compel their operation in a manner which shall conserve and protect the natural resources and environment of Connecticut and protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 22a-416
- Commissioner: means the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection or his designated agent. See Connecticut General Statutes 22a-423
- discharge: means the emission of any water, substance or material into the waters of the state, whether or not such substance causes pollution. See Connecticut General Statutes 22a-423
- disposal system: means a system for disposing of or eliminating wastes, either by surface or underground methods, and includes sewage systems, pollution abatement facilities, disposal wells and other systems. See Connecticut General Statutes 22a-423
- pollution: means harmful thermal effect or the contamination or rendering unclean or impure or prejudicial to public health of any waters of the state by reason of any wastes or other material discharged or deposited therein by any public or private sewer or otherwise so as directly or indirectly to come in contact with any waters. See Connecticut General Statutes 22a-423
(b) No disposal system shall be built or operated until the plan or design of the same and the method of operation thereof have been filed with said commissioner and approved by him, and no such system or facility shall be extended or replaced, until the plan for the same has been approved by him. This subsection shall not apply to any disposal system treating a discharge for which a permit has been issued under section 22a-430 or 22a-430b.
(c) The commissioner may, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, delegate to municipalities or regional sewer authorities the authority to review and approve plans and specifications for the design and construction of sanitary sewers. Such regulations may include, but not be limited to, provisions for (1) minimum design and construction requirements, (2) the retention of such authority by the commissioner for certain types of facilities or environmentally sensitive areas, and (3) the identity of municipalities and regional sewer authorities to which such authority is delegated.
(d) As used in this section the terms “class I”, “class II”, “class III” and “class IV” mean the classifications of wastewater treatment plants provided for in regulations adopted by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may establish requirements for the presence of approved operators at pollution abatement facilities. Applicants for class I, class II, class III and class IV certificates shall be required to pass the relevant standardized national examination prepared by the Association of Boards of Certification for Wastewater Treatment Facility Operators. The commissioner, or the commissioner’s designated agent, shall administer and proctor the examination of all applicants. The qualifications of the operators at such facilities shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning application, certification, renewal and continuing education requirements for operators. On and after October 1, 2018, each certified operator shall obtain not less than six hours of continuing education each year. Continuing education units and associated courses shall be approved by the commissioner or the commissioner’s designated agent in consultation with the operator certification advisory board. A record of such continuing education shall be maintained by the certified operator and by the facility employing the operator and shall be made available for inspection upon request by the commissioner.