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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 1Ch. 4Art. 3§ 106878 Water Operator Certification Requirements

§ 106878 Water Operator Certification Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 106878 Water Operator Certification Requirements

This law says anyone running a water‑treatment plant or a water‑distribution system must have a current, valid operator certificate, and the person in charge can’t let anyone work there without that certificate. Breaking the rule is a misdemeanor and can bring daily fines.

Key Takeaways

  • •You must hold a current, unexpired water‑treatment or water‑distribution operator certificate to operate the facility.
  • •The person in charge cannot let anyone work as an operator without that certificate.
  • •Violations are misdemeanors and can cost up to $100 per day, with higher penalties (up to $5,000) for certain repeat or serious offenses.

Example

A small city hires a new plant manager who never got the required water‑treatment operator certificate.

Because the manager doesn’t have a valid certificate, the city is breaking the law and could be fined $100 for each day the manager runs the plant until they get the proper certification.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 106878 Water Operator Certification Requirements

(a) Any person who commits either of the following violations is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of violation: (1) Operates a water treatment plant but does not hold a valid, unexpired water treatment operator certificate of the appropriate grade in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to Section 106910. (2) Operates a water distribution system but does not hold a valid, unexpired water distribution operator certificate of the appropriate grade in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 106910. (b) (1) Any person or entity who is in responsible charge of a water treatment plant and allows the employment of any person as a water treatment operator who does not hold a valid, unexpired water treatment operator certificate of the appropriate grade in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 106910 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of violation. (2) Any person or entity who is in responsible charge of a water distribution system and allows the employment of any person as a water distribution operator who does not hold a valid, unexpired water distribution operator certificate of the appropriate grade in accordance with the regulations adopted pursuant to Section 106910 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be liable civilly in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day of violation. (c) Any person or entity that commits an act described in paragraph (2), (3), (5), or (6) of subdivision (a) of, or paragraph (2), (3), (5), or (6) of subdivision (b) of, Section 106877, may be liable civilly in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. (d) Any person that commits an act described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of, or paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of, Section 106877 may be liable civilly in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each violation. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 305, Sec. 4. (AB 2890) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentemploymentdistributionliabilityviolationaccordancemisdemeanorregulation

Related Statutes

  • § 42400 Air Pollution Violation Penalties
  • § 42402 Environmental Violation Penalties
  • § 100880 Laboratory Violation Citations
  • § 108200 Hazardous Substance Labeling Requirements
  • § 116375 Drinking Water Contaminant Monitoring

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 106878.
View Official Source