| Minnesota Department of
Health |
Protecting, Maintaining and
Improving the Health of All Minnesotans
Community Public Water Supply
System
Contract Operator Guidelines
January 1997
Minnesota Statutes 115.71 - 115.77,
and Minnesota Rules Chapter 9400, require that the person who has direct
responsibility for the operation of a water system be properly certified. It is
allowable to contract with a properly certified operator to meet this
requirement provided the contract is submitted to the Minnesota Department of
Health (MDH). In order to fulfill the certification requirement, the contract
must specify the number of visits that the certified operator will make and the
length of each visit. Because each facility is unique and has different
management needs, it is difficult to establish set criteria. Although each
situation will be reviewed individually, the following table presents
recommended minimums. It is recommended that each visit be a minimum of two
hours in length and at the following frequency:
|
Systems Classification |
Number
of Visits |
| D |
1/week |
| C |
2/week |
| B |
3/week |
| A |
5/week |
It is emphasized that these hours
do NOT include the time needed to actually do facility operation and
maintenance, only to direct those activities. Turbidity and chlorine residual
testing for surface water supplies and fluoride testing must be done on a daily
basis by an operator (certified or non-certified).
In addition, the contract must
include the following items:
| 1. |
The certified operator's
name and certificate number (and company name if appropriate); |
| 2. |
The period covered by the
contract and provisions for renewal; |
| 3. |
The duties and
responsibilities of the certified operator; |
| 4. |
The duties and
responsibilities of the owner; |
| 5. |
Provisions for notifying
the MDH 30 days in advance of termination if the contract is terminated
prior to the expiration date. |
Please submit a copy of the
contract to:
Minnesota Department of Health
Drinking Water Protection Section
Water Operation Certification
121 East Seventh Place
PO Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
Minnesota Department of Health
recommended minimum requirements for information to be included in a contract
for certified water operator services.
1. The certified operator's name.
2. The certified operator's certificate class and number.
3. The period covered by the contract and provisions for renewal.
4. The duties and responsibilities of the certified operator.
5. The duties and responsibilities of the owner.
6. The number of visits that the certified operator will make, and the length
of each visit.
THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT A CONTRACT
The following are some ideas for
language you may want to include in your contract.
| 1. |
Certified
Operator's Name _________________________________________ |
| |
Operator
Company Name, (if applicable) ______________________________ |
| |
Operator
Address _______________________________________________ |
| 2. |
Certificate Class and
Number ____________________ |
| |
It is mutually agreed
between the parties to contract for the services of _________________
(Operator Name) as a State of Minnesota certified Water Supply System
Operator for
_______________________ (Owner of System Name) under the following terms
and
conditions; |
3.
|
The Contract will be for a
period of ________________ starting _______________ and
expiring ______________. The contract may be renewed upon acceptance of
the renewal
contract by the water operator and the owner. |
| |
(You may want some
compensation language outlined here:)
The contracted operator will be compensated at a rate of $ _________ per
________ to perform the necessary services as a State of Minnesota
certified Water Supply System Operator. In addition, the operator will
be paid at a rate of $ ________ per ________ if
additional time is required for supervision, inspection or maintenance,
over the time specified herein. Any such additional time must be
authorized by the owner or a designated representative in advance of any
additional services to be performed. |
THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT A CONTRACT
The following are some ideas for
language you may want to include in your contract.
4.
|
Duties and
Responsibilities of the Certified Operator:
The operator will maintain a current Water Supply System Operator
certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health. The operator will
be responsible for maintaining records, ordering chemicals and
performing maintenance for the water system. The operator will
periodically inspect and supervise the operation of the public water
supply system, and perform such duties necessary to comply with
Minnesota Department of Health rules and regulations including
completing and submitting all required reports to the Department. |
5.
|
Duties and
Responsibilities of the Owner:
The owner will employ a certified water supply system operator. The
owner will provide all equipment, including safety equipment as required
by law, necessary for the operator to properly operate the public water
supply system in compliance with the Minnesota Department of Health's
requirements. |
6.
|
Number and
Length of Visits:
Each visit will be a minimum of two hours in length and at the following
frequency: |
| |
|
System Classification |
Number of Visits |
| |
|
____________ |
_________/week |
| 7. |
Contract
Termination: |
| |
If the contract
is terminated for any reason, the owner will notify the Minnesota
Department of Health 30 days in advance of cancellation or termination. |
Source: Minnesota Department of Health
|