(a) Except as provided in Section 13625.1 and subdivision (b), a person who operates a wastewater treatment plant shall possess a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate of the appropriate grade.

(b) A person who operates a water recycling treatment plant may comply with subdivision (a) by possessing a valid, unexpired water treatment operator certificate of the appropriate grade.

(c) (1) All wastewater certificates shall be issued in accordance with regulations adopted by the state board. The state board shall develop and specify in its regulations the training necessary to qualify a person for a wastewater certificate for each type and class of plant. The state board may accept experience in lieu of qualification training.

(2) The state board shall evaluate opportunities for the following:

(A) Issuing a wastewater certificate by examination waiver to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(B) Award experience and education credits to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(3) The state board shall seek consultation with the United States Department of Defense in carrying out paragraph (2).

(4) If the state board identifies opportunities pursuant to paragraph (2), the state board shall, where appropriate, issue a wastewater certificate by examination waiver or award experience or education credits to persons who performed duties comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant while serving in the United States military.

(d) The state board may refuse to grant, suspend, or revoke any wastewater certificate, or may place on probation or reprimand the certificate holder, upon any reasonable ground, including, but not limited to, all of the following reasons:

(1) Submitting false or misleading information on an application for a wastewater certificate or an examination for a wastewater certificate.

(2) The employment of fraud or deception in the course of operating the wastewater treatment plant.

(3) A wastewater certificate holder’s failure to use reasonable care or judgment in the operation of the plant.

(4) A wastewater certificate holder’s inability to perform operating duties properly.

(5) Willfully or negligently violating, or causing or allowing the violation of, waste discharge requirements or permits issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.) or this division.

(6) Engaging in dishonest conduct during an examination for a wastewater certificate.

(e) The state board shall conduct all proceedings for the refusal to grant a wastewater certificate, and suspension or revocation of a certificate pursuant to subdivision (d), in accordance with the rules adopted pursuant to Section 185.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 760, Sec. 3. (AB 1588) Effective January 1, 2020.)