(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to perform the duties of an operator or laboratory analyst without being duly certified under this chapter.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any water or wastewater treatment plant to be operated in Georgia by a person or persons not certified under this chapter.

(c)(1) Any person violating this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 for each day during which such violation continues.

(2) Any person willfully violating this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000.00 for each day during which such violation continues.

(d) Whenever the director has reason to believe that any person has violated any provision of this chapter, he may, upon written request, cause a hearing to be conducted before a hearing officer appointed by the Board of Natural Resources. Upon a finding that such person has violated any provision of this chapter, such hearing officer shall issue his initial decision and order imposing such civil penalties as are provided in this Code section. Such hearing and any administrative or judicial review thereof shall be conducted in accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 12-2-2.