Sec. 26.08.05.09. Personnel Qualifications

A. The water quality laboratory shall have staff that is trained in the approved drinking water methods to ensure that the water quality laboratory generates valid and accurate test results.

B. To maintain certification, a water quality laboratory shall continue to meet the education and training criteria identified in the Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, which is incorporated by reference in Regulation .02 of this chapter.

C. Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor.

(1) The supervisor of a certified water quality laboratory performing chemical analyses on water samples shall have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a bachelor's degree in a closely related science with a minimum of 12 semester hours of chemistry work and a minimum of 2 years experience in the performance of chemical tests routinely performed by the water quality laboratory except as allowed under §D of this regulation.

(2) The supervisor of a certified water quality laboratory performing microbiological analyses on water samples shall have a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a bachelor's degree in a closely related science with a minimum of one college level microbiology course or equivalent and a minimum of 2 years experience in the performance of microbiological tests routinely performed by the water quality laboratory except as allowed by §D of this regulation.

D. Minimum Education Waiver.

(1) The certification officer may waive the minimum education requirements as specified in the Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water on a case-by-case basis for experienced analysts or water quality laboratory supervisors.

(2) If a waiver is granted, the certification officer shall document the decision and justification for the waiver in writing.

(3) The waiver is not transferrable to another water quality laboratory and may be subject to additional review or approval

(4) A water quality laboratory shall keep a copy of the waiver available for inspection.