NR 114.153(3)
(3) "Certified operator" means a person who has been issued a certificate by the department to do septage servicing.
NR 114.153(4m)
(4m) "Master operator" means a certified operator who has been issued a master operator certificate by the department.
NR 114.153(5)
(5) "Operator–in–charge" means the master operator who has been designated by the owner to be in direct responsible charge of the septage servicing business.
NR 114.153(6)
(6) "Operator–in–training" means a person who has been properly registered as an operator–in–training with the department by the operator–in–charge.
NR 114.153(8)
(8) "Portable restroom servicing assistant" means a person who maintains, services or transports portable restrooms under the supervision of an operator–in–charge.
NR 114.153(9)
(9) "Septage" means the wastewater or contents of septic or holding tanks, dosing chambers, grease interceptors, seepage beds, seepage pits, seepage trenches, privies or portable restrooms.
NR 114.153(10)
(10) "Septage servicing" means removing septage from a system and disposing of or recycling the septage.
NR 114.153(11)
(11) "Service shop" means a shop from which work is dispatched.
NR 114.153 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04;
CR 09-123: cr. (4m), am. (5)
Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10.
NR 114.16(1)
(1) Only a certified operator, master operator, operator–in–training or a portable restroom servicing assistant, may engage in septage servicing.
NR 114.16(2)
(2) An operator–in–training may engage in septage servicing for up to 12 months without being certified. The operator–in–training shall be considered to be doing septage servicing under the certificate of the designated operator–in–charge. The operator–in–charge shall notify the department, in writing, of the starting date, name and address of the operator–in–training and pay the operator–in–training fee before the person begins septage servicing. The operator–in–charge is responsible for the actions of the operator–in–training.
NR 114.16(3)
(3) A portable restroom servicing assistant may service portable restrooms, including the maintenance of portable restrooms and the transportation of the restrooms and the septage from them without being certified. However, a portable restroom servicing assistant may not land apply any septage removed from portable restrooms. Portable restroom servicing assistants will be considered to be working under the certificate of the designated operator–in–charge and the operator–in–charge is responsible for their actions.
NR 114.16(4)
(4) Each owner shall have a unique business license issued under
s. NR 113.05, for any service shop that is more than 25 miles from another service shop.
NR 114.16(5)
(5) A vehicle used by different businesses, under a single owner, or separate owners, shall be registered under each business license and each business license number shall be displayed on the vehicle.
NR 114.17(1)
(1) Two general certification grades of septage servicing operators are established.
NR 114.17(1)(a)
(a) A grade T operator is certified to conduct all aspects of septage servicing except the land application of septage. To qualify for certification as a grade T operator, a person shall pass the grade T examination.
NR 114.17(1)(b)
(b) A grade L operator is certified to conduct all aspects of septage servicing including the land application of septage. To qualify for certification as a grade L operator, a person shall pass the grade L examination.
NR 114.17(2)
(2) Any operator certified as a grade 1R on December 1, 2004, will automatically become certified as a grade T operator on that date.
NR 114.17(3)
(3) Any operator certified as either a grade 1 or a grade 2 operator on December 1, 2004, will automatically become certified as a grade L operator on that date.
NR 114.17 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04.
NR 114.18
NR 114.18
Operator-in-charge or master operator. NR 114.18(1)(1) The owner of a licensed business shall designate to the department the operator-in-charge of the business based upon their type of business and method of septage disposal as follows:
NR 114.18(1)(a)
(a) If a septage servicing business does not conduct any land application of septage, the operator-in-charge shall be a grade T or a grade L master operator.
NR 114.18(1)(b)
(b) If a septage servicing business does conduct any land application, the operator-in-charge shall be a grade L master operator.
NR 114.18(2)
(2) Persons shall accrue at least 1600 hours of experience working in their designated grade certification over at least one calendar year, participate in a mandatory training class sponsored by the department and pass an examination associated with that class in order to become certified as a master operator. The class and examination may be taken prior to obtaining the required experience. The time and experience requirements shall be documented by the applicant through submittal of a notarized certification statement. The department may verify information submitted on a case-by-case basis. Master operator grade certification shall be consistent with their operator certification grade.
NR 114.18(3)
(3) The mandatory training class for designation as a master operator shall be offered at least twice a year and will cover topics relevant to the septage servicing business and will cover both land application and disposition of septage at wastewater treatment facilities.
NR 114.18(4)
(4) Owners shall notify the department of any change of the designated operator-in-charge within 15 days of the change.
NR 114.18 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04;
CR 09-123: am. (title) and (1), r. (2), (4) and (5), renum. (3) and (6) to be (2) and (4) and am. (2), cr. (3)
Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10.
NR 114.19
NR 114.19
Examinations and applications. NR 114.19(1)
(1) The department shall use examinations to determine the knowledge and ability of an applicant to do septage servicing. A score of 75% or higher shall be a passing score on each written examination. The department may give oral examinations in lieu of the written examination upon a showing that the applicant has difficulty reading the written examination and if the applicant can demonstrate the ability to properly perform septage servicing without a better reading ability. A score of 75% or higher shall be a passing score on each oral examination. Electronic examinations will be acceptable as administered by the department should that technology become available at a future date.
NR 114.19(2)
(2) The department shall conduct written examinations on weekdays at least 2 times annually in all 5 department regions.
NR 114.19(3)
(3) A person desiring to be certified shall file an application with the department at least 28 days prior to the established date of a written examination on an application form provided by the department. Fees shall accompany the completed application.
NR 114.19(4)
(4) Written examinations may not be issued to applicants who have not properly registered 28 days prior to the examination date, or who fail to identify themselves on request.
NR 114.19(5)
(5) Examination papers may not be returned to an applicant. Examination results shall be mailed to the applicant within 30 days of the examination date.
NR 114.19(6)
(6) Applicants who fail to pass a written examination may apply to the department for reexamination at a subsequent scheduled examination.
NR 114.19(7)
(7) Notwithstanding
subs. (2) to
(4), the department may allow for the examinations to be given at more frequent intervals and at locations to be determined, in addition to the twice annual examinations specified in
sub. (2), and may waive the 28 day application requirement specified in
sub. (3). Fees shall be submitted no later than the date of the examination in those cases.
NR 114.19(8)
(8) The requirements of
sub. (6) notwithstanding, applicants who fail the examination associated with the mandatory class required in
s. NR 114.18 (2) may retake the examination at a regional office whenever a mutually agreed time can be scheduled.
NR 114.20(2)
(2) The department may not refund fees to an applicant who fails to pass an examination, who fails to appear to take an examination, or who fails to identify themselves on request.
NR 114.20(3)
(3) All fees collected under this section shall be used by the department for the purposes of implementing this subchapter and
ch. NR 113.
NR 114.20 Note
Note: It is the department's intent to work with the legislature to amend s.
281.48(4s), Stats., to allow an increase in vehicle licensing fees to further aid in implementing this subchapter and ch.
NR 113.
NR 114.20 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04;
CR 09-123: cr. (1) (e)
Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10.
NR 114.21
NR 114.21
Issuance of certificates. Upon satisfactory fulfillment of the qualifications required by this subchapter and receipt of the certification fee, the department shall issue a certificate to an applicant indicating the operator grade for which the applicant has qualified.
NR 114.21 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04.
NR 114.22(1)
(1) All certificates shall expire 3 years from the date of issuance. The renewal fee is due on the expiration date of the certificate. Any renewal application postmarked after the expiration date shall also include the late renewal penalty fee.
NR 114.22(2)
(2) A person who desires to renew a certificate shall submit evidence of having met the continuing education requirements in
s. NR 114.23 for approved training courses or other credit which they have successfully completed during the 3 year period. Failure to successfully complete and document the appropriate number of hours of approved training within the 3 year period shall result in rejection of a certificate renewal application.
NR 114.22(3)
(3) A person whose certificate has expired may within one year be reinstated by paying the renewal fee, the late penalty fee and fulfilling the continuing education requirements. Operators may not renew their certificates by taking certification examinations in lieu of obtaining continuing education credits unless their certificate has been expired for at least one year. Operators may not continue to work with an expired certificate.
NR 114.22 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04.
NR 114.23
NR 114.23
Continuing education and training requirements. NR 114.23(1)(1) Grade T and grade L certified septage operators shall obtain 3 hours of certified operator continuing education credits every 3 years.
NR 114.23(2)
(2) All grade T and grade L master operators shall obtain 18 hours of continuing education credits every 3 years.
NR 114.23(3)
(3) The department shall develop or approve training relevant to the septage servicing profession sufficient to fulfill the continuing education requirements of this subchapter. The training shall be offered at frequencies and at diverse enough locations around the state so as to facilitate fulfillment of these requirements.
NR 114.23(4)
(4) Any certified operator may voluntarily participate in the mandatory training class required under
s. NR 114.18 (2) and
(3), even if not required to, and may receive the associated continuing education credit.
NR 114.23 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04;
CR 09-123: am. (1) and (2), r. (4), renum. (5) to be (4) and am.
Register July 2010 No. 655, eff. 8-1-10.
NR 114.24(1)(1) The department shall revoke an operator's certification and may not issue or renew a certificate for septage servicing for a period of 2 years if an operator has accumulated 6 or more violations of
chs. NR 113,
114 or s.
29.601, Stats., in any 3 year certification period. Enforcement may be taken against the operator, the operator-in-charge responsible for the operator, or both. Each violation shall count against the business for purposes of license renewal as specified in
s. NR 113.05 (3).
NR 114.24(2)
(2) The department may, on its own motion, make investigations and conduct hearings and may, on its own motion or on a signed and verified written complaint, revoke, suspend, refuse to issue, or refuse to renew any operator's certificate if the department finds that the holder of or applicant for a certificate does any of the following:
NR 114.24(2)(a)
(a) Uses deception or any form of dishonesty when writing examinations, or removes examination material from an examination site.
NR 114.24(2)(b)
(b) Demonstrates incompetence to perform septage servicing as required by this chapter.
NR 114.24(2)(c)
(c) Falsifies any required applications, operating records or any other records submitted to the department.
NR 114.25(1)(1)
General. A certified septage operator may request a variance from any non-statutory requirement of this chapter. The department may approve a variance from requirements of this chapter when special circumstances show that a variance will not negatively impact the environment or pose a threat to public health.
NR 114.25(2)
(2) Request for variance. An applicant for a variance shall submit a written request for a variance to the department, as far in advance as possible. Each request for a variance shall contain all of the following:
NR 114.25(2)(a)
(a) The name, address, phone number and operator certification number of the applicant.
NR 114.25(2)(b)
(b) The section or sections of this chapter from which a variance is sought and a statement explaining why it is requested.
NR 114.25(2)(c)
(c) A full description of the variance and the circumstances in which it will be used, including any pertinent background information which is relevant to making a determination on the justification for granting the variance.
NR 114.25(2)(d)
(d) A statement as to whether the same or similar variance has been requested previously, and if so, outcome of the previous request.
NR 114.25(3)
(3) Approval of variance. The department shall approve or deny the variance in writing. A copy of each variance request and the department's decision shall be retained by the operator.
NR 114.25 History
History: CR 04-047: cr.
Register November 2004 No. 587, eff. 12-1-04.
NR 114.26
NR 114.26
Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to establish rules for the certification of water system operators pursuant to s.
281.17 (3), Stats.
NR 114.26 History
History: Cr.
Register, December, 2000, No. 540, eff. 1-1-01.
NR 114.27
NR 114.27
Applicability. The provisions of this subchapter are applicable to all owners and operators of water systems as defined in this subchapter.
