DEQ Rulemaking – Wastewater Operator Certification 2024 - DEQ is asking for Public Comment on the Proposed Rule Amendments
Summary
DEQ will ask the Environmental Quality Commission to approve permanent rule amendments to OAR Chapter 340, Division 049 of its administrative rules. Proposed rules address the growing challenge of ensuring there is a sustainable, certifiable workforce to operate and maintain Oregon's wastewater utilities. This effort includes updating the qualification pathways to certification for wastewater system operators, facilitating operator certification reciprocity among states, modernizing and simplifying the way wastewater systems are classified, adding an operator in training designation for small wastewater system operators, and expanding options for attaining compliance when a supervisory operator is not available if a system’s classification increases.
Public Comment
DEQ is seeking public comment on the proposed rule amendments. More information on this rulemaking, including the draft rules, can be found on the Wastewater Operator Certification 2024 Rulemaking web page: Department of Environmental Quality : Wastewater Operator Certification 2024 : Rulemaking at DEQ : State of Oregon
How to comment: DEQ will accept comments by email, postal mail or verbally at the public hearing. Anyone can submit comments and questions about this rulemaking.
- Email: Send comments by email to Wastewater2024@deq.oregon.gov
- Postal mail: Oregon DEQ, Attn: Kimi Grzyb, 700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600, Portland, Oregon 97232-4100
- At the public hearing: 3 pm, Aug. 15, 2024 (see below)
DEQ will only consider comments on the proposed rule amendments that DEQ receives by 4 p.m., on Aug. 21, 2024.
Rulemaking Hearing: DEQ will hold a public hearing, with details below:
Date: Aug. 15, 2024
Start time: 3 p.m. PST
Join by phone: 833-928-4610
Webinar ID: 814 8544 4301
Participant code: 791272
Note for public university students:
ORS 192.345(29) allows Oregon public university and OHSU students to protect their university email addresses from disclosure under Oregon’s public records law. If you are an Oregon public university or OHSU student, notify DEQ that you wish to keep your email address confidential.
Additional Information
To view copies of the notice documents, learn more about this rulemaking, and how to submit comments, you can view the rulemaking web page at: Department of Environmental Quality : Wastewater Operator Certification 2024 : Rulemaking at DEQ : State of Oregon
If you want to receive future email notices about this rulemaking, you must sign up at: GovDelivery.
You can also obtain more information about this rulemaking by contacting:
Kimi Grzyb
503-229-5349
kimi.grzyb@deq.oregon.gov