(a) The registered individual in responsible charge of a previously exempt community water supply on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly may be issued a certificate of competency, with no fee required, after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly for the community water supply for which the individual is registered. The community water supply owner must make application for grandparenting of the operator in responsible charge within 2 years of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly. This certificate is non-transferable, site specific, and is not valid if the water system is reclassified to a higher level.
     (b) Each individual who is issued a certificate of competency under Section 19(a) of this Act may renew the certificate every 3 years in accordance with the renewal requirements of Sections 18 and 22 of this Act.