This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia regarding the certification requirements for water and wastewater system operators. It introduces new provisions that specify the education and experience requirements for these operators, particularly stating that if an operator's first 2,000 hours of experience are in a Class II system, those hours will be considered equivalent to 4,000 hours in a Class I system for the purpose of obtaining a Class II, III, or IV operator certification. Additionally, the bill includes various provisions related to the regulation of public water systems, such as establishing maximum contaminant levels, treatment techniques, and requirements for sampling, testing, and public notification.

The bill also makes several deletions and insertions to clarify existing regulations. For instance, it removes certain language regarding the requirements for bottled drinking water and adds new language that emphasizes the education and experience requirements for operators. Furthermore, it outlines the penalties for violations of the article, including civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and establishes a restricted account known as the Safe Drinking Water Fund to support technical assistance for public water systems. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the regulatory framework for water and wastewater systems in West Virginia, ensuring better public health and safety standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-1-4, 16-1-9a