(1) A certified operator designated by the purveyor to be in responsible charge as required in WAC 246-292-020 shall perform or manage the public water system's daily operational and maintenance activities in this chapter, chapter 246-290 WAC, and according to acceptable public health practices and water industry standards.

(2) A certified operator in responsible charge or designee must be available on-site or able to be contacted immediately by telephone or other electronic communication twenty-four hours per day, every day, and able to initiate appropriate action within two hours of contact. Appropriate action may include, but is not limited to:

(a) Making necessary repairs or resolving problems; or

(b) Directing staff or contractors to make necessary repairs or resolve problems.

(3) The duties of a certified operator in responsible charge or designee include, but are not limited to:

(a) Conducting water quality monitoring, maintaining adequate records and taking follow-up action, if necessary, to comply with state and federal drinking water regulations;

(b) Implementing preventive maintenance programs, inspecting treatment and other public water system components for malfunctions, maintaining adequate records, and making needed repairs;

(c) Analyzing, reviewing, and maintaining records of instrument readings and laboratory test results, determining the location and causes of any malfunctions, adjusting various treatment processes or other components;

(d) Implementing a cross-connection control program, if directed by the purveyor;

(e) Determining and implementing remedial actions in an emergency and, if applicable, following departmental directives;

(f) Cooperating during a special purpose investigation or sanitary survey as required in chapter 246-290 WAC;

(g) Providing required records and reports to the department or its representative upon request; and

(h) Providing written notification to the department within thirty days of:

(i) Starting operations of a public water system; or

(ii) Ending operations of a public water system.

(4) The duties of a certified operator in responsible charge required in this chapter do not relieve a purveyor of the responsibility to comply with the requirements of chapter 246-290 WAC.