N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10A-1.12

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:10A-1.12 - Duties, records and reports

(a) At a minimum, all licensed operators shall perform the following duties and maintain the following information for each system operated:

1. Each licensed operator shall have readily available written detailed operations and maintenance (O&M) procedures. The O&M procedures shall be designed to maximize preventive maintenance and operating techniques that will ensure that the system operates in a manner that satisfies all laws, rules, regulations, license conditions and orders relating to this chapter. The written O&M procedures shall be updated within 30 days after any substantial change to the system that warrants a change in the operation and maintenance of the system. The written O&M procedures shall include, at a minimum:

i. Standard operating procedures, including a description of each major treatment unit and/or process;

ii. A plan for monitoring system process controls;

iii. An emergency operations plan, which addresses facility and system security, and includes a list of names and telephone numbers of facility personnel to be contacted in the event of emergency;

iv. A schedule of routine inspections and preventive maintenance;

v. For a public wastewater collection system (C class) or a public water distribution system (W class), a system map;

vi. A sampling and/or water quality monitoring plan, if applicable to the facility;

vii. A schedule of routine meter readings, tests, and chemical use, if applicable to the facility; and

viii. An inventory of equipment and supplies necessary to operate and maintain the system.

2. Each licensed operator shall:

i. Properly operate and maintain the system, including, but not limited to, the following duties, as applicable:

(1) Monitor chemical feed and other system components;

(2) Monitor effectiveness of treatment;

(3) Develop a preventive maintenance plan consistent with the schedule specified in the O&M procedures;

(4) Read meters and gauges, making adjustments as needed;

(5) Make all process control and/or system component integrity decisions;

(6) Assist the system owner in resolving any problems complying with applicable regulations and permits;

(7) Collect or oversee the collection of samples in accordance with O&M procedures;

(8) Store chemicals in locked areas with proper safety equipment;

(9) Inform the system owner of any technical or equipment needs of the system;

(10) Assess the efficiency of system components (such as pumps and valves); and

(11) Respond in a timely manner to customer complaints;

ii. Schedule routine inspections and preventive maintenance tasks which will be undertaken to preserve the physical integrity of the system;

iii. Establish and implement a routine recordkeeping system designed to incorporate all O&M procedures that relate to the system;

iv. Develop a protocol for the system designed to ensure that each employee associated with the system is acquainted with his or her particular responsibilities and obligations, including the protocol to be followed in the event of an emergency within the system or an intervening factor which mandates deviation from routine O&M procedures; and

v. Ensure that health and safety measures related to the O&M procedures are followed by the licensee, employees and agents of the system so as to protect human health, safety, welfare, and the environment.

3. Each licensed operator shall be responsible for conducting inspections of the system(s) and appurtenances in accordance with the schedule specified in the O&M procedures, and as otherwise indicated by operating requirements, and/or directed by the Department.

i. Such inspections shall ensure that the system is operated and maintained properly and complies with all laws, rules, regulations, license conditions and orders relating to this chapter;

ii. The results of all mechanical equipment and appurtenance inspections essential to the proper O&M of the system shall either be recorded in ink and maintained in bound inspection log books or be maintained in secured-access computer databases or files or other equivalent method of recordkeeping. The log books or computer databases, or file or equivalent shall also include:

(1) Time, date and subject of all system inspections;

(2) A report of all breaks, breakdowns, problems, bypasses, pump failures, occurrences, emergencies, complaints and/or intervening factors within the system that result in or necessitate deviation from the routine O&M procedures, and any situations that have the potential to affect public health, safety, welfare, or the environment or have the potential to violate any permits, regulations or laws relating to this chapter;

(3) A record of the remedial or follow up action and protocol taken to correct all breakdowns, problems, bypasses, pump failures, occurrences, emergencies and/or intervening factors within the system that result in or necessitate deviation from the routine O&M procedures, and any situations that have the potential to affect public health, safety, welfare, or the environment or have the potential to violate any permits, regulations or laws relating to this chapter; and

(4) The date and time of each entry.

4. Each licensed operator shall be familiar with and shall ensure compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, license conditions and orders relating to this chapter.

5. System records, current permits, written O&M procedures, log books, computer databases or files or other equivalent records, pertinent documents and correspondence shall be made available upon request by the Department or other controlling agency, and shall be kept in a safe and secure area for a period of five years.

(b) Each licensed operator shall immediately report any system deficiencies, breaks, breakdowns, problems, bypasses, pump failures, occurrences, emergencies, complaints and/or intervening factors within the system that result in or necessitate deviation from the routine O&M procedures and any situations that have the potential to affect public health, safety, welfare, or the environment or have the potential to violate any permits, regulations or laws relating to this chapter. All reports shall be made to the owner or permittee of the system to or from which treatment is provided. All violations shall be reported by the owner or permittee, as appropriate, to the Department.

1. Each licensed operator shall submit to the Department, upon request, a report summarizing any event described in (b) above and the remedial action taken.

2. Each Public Wastewater Collection System operator shall submit to the receiving system a monthly report summarizing all events described in (b) above and the remedial action taken, by the 10th day of the month following each month for which the data is collected.

(c) Each licensed operator of a public wastewater treatment system (S class) or a public wastewater collection system (C class) shall maintain a record of all industrial and commercial dischargers into such system which could exert a deleterious effect on either the collection system or the receiving treatment system. The collection system operator shall provide a list of all such industrial and commercial dischargers to the owner or permittee of the receiving system by the 10th day of the month following each month for which the data is collected.

(d) Each licensed operator or the owner of a Public Water Treatment System or Public Non-Community Surface Water Treatment System (T class) shall:

1. Conduct inspections of wells or surface water sources to identify potential sources of contamination; and

2. Submit the monthly Operating Report of Water Treatment Plants, on the form provided by the Department, to the Department before the 10th day of the month following each month for which the data is collected. The report shall include:

i. The plant identification number and classification;

ii. The month for which the report is provided;

iii. The name of the purveyor;

iv. Plant description and its location;

v. The pumpage quantity, both raw and treated water;

vi. Chemical data as specified on the form;

vii. The name and signature of the operator; and

viii. Information related to system processes.

(e) Each licensed operator of a Public Water Distribution System (W class) shall, at a minimum:

1. Exercise all major system valves for emergency interconnections annually;

2. Notify the system owner of any line breaks, pumping failures or water quality complaints relating to treatment; and

3. Periodically flush distribution system using hydrants and blow-off valves.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:10A-1.12

Amended by R.2008 d.381, effective 12/15/2008.
See: 40 N.J.R. 3785(a), 40 N.J.R. 6961(a).
In the introductory paragraph of (a)1, inserted the last two sentences; added (a)1i through (a)1viii; in the introductory paragraph of (a)2i, substituted ", including, but not limited to, the following duties, as applicable:" for a semicolon at the end; added (a)2i(1) through (a)2i(11); rewrote (d); in (e)1, deleted "and" from the end; in (e)2, substituted "; and" for a period at the end; and added (e)3.