(a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the department shall implement an interim certification program to meet the requirements of section 1419 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law 93-523, 21 U.S.C. § 349 and 42 U.S.C. § 201 and 300f et seq.) in a timely manner. The interim program shall expire after the Environmental Quality Board adopts regulations under section 4(c).¹

(b) The program shall meet the requirements of the final Guidelines for the Certification and Recertification of the Operators of Community and Nontransient Noncommunity Public Water Systems published in the Federal Register under the requirements of section 1419 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law 93-523, 21 U.S.C. § 349 and 42 U.S.C. §§ 201 and 300f et seq.). The program may include comparable requirements for wastewater treatment operators including continuing education requirements.

(c) The department may develop, after notice and opportunity for comments, guidelines to implement an interim program authorized under this section.