Section 380.720  Training Criteria

a)         Training

1)         The Agency accepts training hours related to the technical aspects of wastewater treatment and operation. These hours include, but are not limited to, the following:

Activated Sludge

Aeration

Backwash of Filters

Chemical Addition

Chlorinators

Clarifiers

Collection Systems

Digesters

Discharge Monitoring Reports

Disinfection

Electrical Maintenance

Fixed Film Processes

Flow Measurement

Imhoff Tanks

Instrumentation

Intermittent Sand Filters

Laboratory Procedures

Lagoons

Mathematics

Maintenance of Treatment Works

Operational Control Lab Analysis

Oxidation Ditches

Package Aeration

Preliminary Treatment

Primary Treatment

Process Control Decisions

Pumps and Motors

Reports and Recordkeeping

SCADA System Training

Screening

Secondary Clarifiers

Sedimentation

Sludge Drying Beds

Sludge Press

Tertiary Treatment

Trickling Filters

2)         The Agency accepts training hours related to professional responsibilities of wastewater treatment operators and safety. These hours include, but are not limited to, the following:

Administration and Management

Computer Workshops

Emergency Planning and Preparation

First Aid

Safety

3)         The Agency accepts training hours earned by assisting a Group 2, Group 3, or Group 4 facility classified as a Category I Noncompliance for effluent limits pursuant to 40 CFR 123.45(a)(2)(iii).

AGENCY NOTE: Category I Noncompliance is also known by USEPA as "Significant Noncompliance" or "SNC".

A)        Hours under this subsection (a)(3) must be approved by the Agency before an operator begins assisting a facility.

B)        Hours earned under this subsection are considered related to the technical aspects of wastewater treatment and operation.

C)        Hours include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

i)          Evaluating the facility to identify causes of NPDES permit non-compliance including a comprehensive review of the facility design, operation, and administrative practices;

ii)         Recommending innovative and cost-effective solutions for improving performance;

iii)        Providing training of operating personnel;

iv)        Evaluating current facility loadings and capacities;

v)         Formulating and implementing operational or preventative maintenance programs;

vi)        Recommending operational improvements to existing sludge handling and disposal procedures;

vii)       Investigating industrial dischargers' impact on the wastewater treatment system; and

viii)      Helping to identify inflow and infiltration sources impacting the sewer systems.

b)         Training Exclusions. Types of training activities that do not directly relate to wastewater treatment or the professional responsibilities of the operator shall not be accepted as renewal training credit. These activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1)         Entertainment or recreational activities;

2)         On the job work or apprenticeships except as allowed under subsection (a)(3);

3)         Personal self-improvement courses;

4)         Plant tours (unless wastewater treatment training is integrated into the tour);

5)         Portions of meetings and conferences when wastewater related training is not provided (e.g., business session, lunch, breaks, etc.);

6)         Time spent viewing conference/meeting exhibits; and

7)         Travel time to and from training activities.

c)         Training may be provided by any of the variety of organizations equipped to provide training, including but not limited to: colleges and universities, technical institutes, educational units of governmental or industrial agencies, professional operator organizations, and equipment suppliers and manufacturers, or knowledgeable wastewater operations experts.

d)         Acceptable training formats include classroom courses, teleconferences, courses offered via the internet, workshops, seminars, correspondence courses, in-house training programs, and wastewater treatment works related training sessions at conferences/meetings of professional operator organizations.

e)         Teachers or presenters of training will be credited with double the number of hours that operators receive for successfully completing the training event. This credit is allowed only for the first time the training is given.

f)         Training must be approved by the Agency. Either training providers or certified operators may request approval of training from the Agency.

g)         Training providers must provide proof of training documentation to trainees in order for the training to be accepted for certificate renewal.

h)         Training accrued during periods that a certificate is suspended or revoked may not be applied toward meeting the renewal requirements.

(Source:  Added at 43 Ill. Reg. 5203, effective July 1, 2019)