(415 ILCS 45/1) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 501)

Sec. 1. (1) In order to safeguard the health and well-being of the populace, every community water supply in Illinois, other than an exempt community water supply as specified in Section 9.1, shall have on its operational staff, and shall designate to the Agency in writing, either (i) one Responsible Operator in Charge who directly supervises both the treatment and distribution facilities of the community water supply or (ii) one Responsible Operator in Charge who directly supervises the treatment facilities of the community water supply and one Responsible Operator in Charge who directly supervises the distribution facilities of the community water supply.

Except for exempt community water supplies as specified in Section 9.1 of this Act, all portions of a community water supply system shall be under the direct supervision of a Responsible Operator in Charge.

(2) The following class requirements apply:

(a) Each Class A community water supply shall have in its employ at least one individual certified as competent as a Class A community water supply operator.

(b) Each Class B community water supply shall have in its employ at least one individual certified as competent as a Class B or Class A community water supply operator.

(c) Each Class C community water supply shall have in its employ at least one individual certified as competent as a Class C, Class B, or Class A community water supply operator.

(d) Each Class D community water supply shall have in its employ at least one individual certified as competent as a Class D, Class C, Class B, or Class A community water supply operator.

(2.5) The Agency may adopt rules that classify or reclassify community water supplies as Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D community water supplies. A community water supply that cannot be clearly classified under Section 5.1 or Agency rules shall be considered individually and designated, in writing, by the Agency as a Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D community water supply. Classifications made under this subsection (2.5) shall be based on the nature of the community water supply and on the education and experience necessary to operate it.

(3) A community water supply may satisfy the requirements of this Section by contracting the services of an individual who is a properly qualified certified operator of the required class or higher and will directly supervise the operation of the community water supply. That individual shall serve as the Responsible Operator in Charge of the community water supply. A written agreement to this effect must be on file with the Agency certifying that such an agreement exists, and delegating responsibility and authority to the contracted party. This written agreement shall be signed by both the certified operator to be contracted and the responsible community water supply owner or official custodian and must be approved in writing by the Agency.

(Source: P.A. 98-822, eff. 8-1-14; 98-856, eff. 8-4-14; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)