Minnesota Rural Water Association

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 MPCA Contract Operator Guidelines  
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

______________________________________
Wastewater Treatment Facility
Contract Operator Guidelines
August 1998

Minn. Stat. §§ 115.71 - 115.77 and Minn. R. ch. 9400 require that the person who has
direct responsibility for the operation of a wastewater facility be properly certified.  It is
allowable to contract with a properly certified operator to meet this requirement provided
the contract is submitted to the Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA).  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:

Facility Classification Number of Visits
D 1/month December - February
1/two weeks March - November
C 1/week
B 2/week
A 3/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.

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 permitee; and
5. provisions for notifying the MPCA 30 days in advance of termination if the contract
is terminated prior to the expiration date.

Please submit a copy of the contract to:

Dianne Navratil
Major Facilities Section
Policy and Planning Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, Minnesota  5155-4194
(651) 296-9269

Source:  Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN  55155-4194; (651) 296-6300 (Voice) (651) 292-5332 (TTY)
St. Paul  * Brainerd  *  Detroit Lakes  *  Duluth  *  Mankato  *  Marshall  *  Rochester  *  Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us

 

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National Rural Water Association

©2005 Minnesota Rural Water Association.  All Rights Reserved

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Minnesota Rural Water Association

217 12th Avenue SE
Elbow Lake, MN  56531
Phone: 218-685-5197
Fax: 218-685-5272
E-mail: mrwa@mrwa.com