Chief Operator

[Trae]

I was just wondering who's responsibility it is to call in a boil water order ? Here is my problem; In an event to where a boil water order needs to be called in, I will call my chief operator to let him know that there needs to be a boil water order called in. Keep in mind that my chief operator is also the office clerk, so he is never out on the job site or anywhere out in the field. He is always in the office. Anyway, When I call him to call in a boil water order, he gets mad because he seems to think that it's my reponsibility to call in the boil water orders. I don't mind calling them in, but it is the fact of him getting mad at me. After repairing a main break, I'm usually running around like crazy trying to get eveyone's water back one. I forgot to mention that I am the only operator other than my chief operator. I just don't understand why he gets mad at me when I need him to call in a boil water order. It's not like he is busy out in the field or anything. He also only works about 20 hours a week. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he needs to take on the responsibility of calling in boil water orders. It's not only with the boil water orders, it's with just about everything. If he has a problem with something, he makes me do all the phone calling. Sounds like to me that he's just trying to make me do all the dirty work.

[Liz Grove]

Hi, Trea! I looked up the regulations concerning certified operators and here is what I found:
This is found in Chapter 14 of 10 CSR 60.

Definition of a Chief Operator: "A certified operator designated by the owner of the public water system to have overall responsibility for the day-to-day process control/system integrity decisions regarding supervisory and operational activities that will directly impact the quality and quantity of drinking water. This individual must possess a certificate at the level of or higher than the classification of the treatment facility or distribution system for which he or she is responsible."

Further in the chapter it states: "All process control/system integrity decisions about water quality or quantity that affect public health must be made by a certifed operator based on procedures approved by the chief operator."

I would assume that issueing a boil water advisory is a "system integrity" type of decision and if you are certified, you can make that decision based on procedures approved by your chief operator. The chief operator is still the person responsible in the end. In other words "the buck stops" with him. As far as requiring that the chief operator actually make the phone call, that is not required.

Also, someone correct me if I am wrong - doesn't the Department of Natural Resources issue "boil orders" and systems who just want customers to take precautions due to say, a main break and loss of pressure, issue a "boil water advisory"?

[gwayne]

Boil Water Orders are issued by the Dept. of Natural Resources or sometimes the Dept. of Health, hopefully with assistance and foreknowledge of the water system affected by the order.
Voluntary Boil Water Advisories are utilized by the water system as a tool to help protect public health when in the judgment of the Chief Operator or an operator under direction of the Chief Operator knows or suspicions conditions such as pressure loss, opening of a water line (leaks or construction) or other situations occurred that may compromise water quality in the distribution or water storage system. Boil Water Advisories are issued to the public by the water system basically advising them to take precaution when utilizing the water for consumption. Typically a Boil Water Order is utilized when there is a determination of unsafe water quality or there are several conditions happening simultaneously that are known to increase the risk to public health associated with the water system.
These terms are very similar but it is important to understand the difference between them. One can reference more information on these issues on DNR's web-site under Publications. Scroll down to Public Drinking Water and there are many publications, guidance, and bulletins to view including a model voluntary Boil Water Advisory template.

As far as the chief operator being a grouch hang in there, someday you may get the chance to be the chief operator once you have accumulated more experience and knowledge of the water system. Then you can tie your shoes to fit your liking.