15A NCAC 08G .0204. RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN OPERATOR IN RESPONSIBLE CHARGE (ORC)

An Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) of a water pollution control system must:

(1)           possess a  valid certificate of the appropriate type and grade for the system;

(2)           visit the system as often as is necessary to insure the proper operation of the system but in no case less frequently than specified in the following schedule, unless otherwise specified in permit:

(a)           biological grade I systems with the exception of Sub-item (2)(e) of this Rule; weekly;

(b)           biological grade II, III, and IV systems, other than those systems specified in Sub-item(2)(f) of this Rule; five days per week, excluding holidays;

(c)           surface irrigation systems with the exception of Sub-item (2)(e) of this Rule; weekly;

(d)           collection systems; within 24 hours of knowledge of a bypass, spill, or overflow of wastewater from the system unless visited by a collection system Back-up Operator in Responsible Charge;

(e)           domestic wastewater systems with a treatment capacity of 1500 gallons per day or less;  twice per year with a six month interval between visits;

(f)            domestic wastewater aerobic treatment units (ATUs) with a treatment capacity of 1500 gallons per day or less; weekly;

(g)           systems permitted under rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health; as required by 15A NCAC 18A .1961;

(h)           physical/chemical systems:

(i)            grade I systems, including groundwater remediation systems; weekly;

(ii)           grade II systems; five days per week, excluding holidays 

(i)            land application systems during or within 48 hours after application of residuals;

(j)            systems not otherwise classified; as specified by the Commission based on the complexity of the system;

(3)           operate and maintain the system efficiently and attempt to insure the compliance of the system with any permit(s) issued for the system as well as any other applicable local, state, and federal environmental permitting and regulatory requirements;

(4)           certify, by signature, as to the validity of all monitoring and reporting information performed on the system as prescribed in any permit issued for the system and provide the owner a copy;

(5)           document the operation, maintenance, and all visitation of the system in a daily log that must be maintained at the system;

(6)           notify the owner of the system as soon as possible, and in writing within five calendar days of first knowledge, of any:

(a)           overflows from the system or any treatment process unit;

(b)           bypasses of the system or any treatment process unit; or

(c)           violations of any limits or conditions of the permit.

(7)           notify the owner, in writing, of the need for any system repairs and modifications that may be necessary to insure the compliance of the system with all local, state, and federal environmental permitting and regulatory requirements;

(8)           be available:

(a)           for consultations with the system owner and regulatory officials;

(b)           to handle emergency situations; and

(c)           to provide access to the facility by regulatory agencies; and

(9)           upon vacating an ORC position, notify the Commission and the appropriate regional office of the Division of Water Quality (or the local health department for owners of subsurface systems) of the vacancy, in writing within 14 calendar days.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90A-37 through 90A-40; 90A-44;

Eff. April 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2006.