(1) The Legislature finds that:(a) Water and wastewater services are essential to the health and well-being of all citizens.
(b) Water and wastewater facility personnel are essential first responders. As used in this section, the term “water and wastewater facility personnel” means any employee of a governmental authority as defined in s. 367.021; a utility as defined in s. 367.021; a state, municipal, or county sewerage system as defined in s. 403.031(9); or a public water system as defined in s. 403.852(2). (c) The threat to the public health and the environment from the operation of water and wastewater treatment plants and water distribution systems mandates that qualified personnel operate these facilities.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature that any person who performs the duties of an operator and who falls below minimum competency or who otherwise presents a danger to the public be prohibited from operating a plant or system in this state.
