(a) The department shall exercise general supervision over the operation and maintenance of solid waste processing facilities and disposal facilities or sites. Such general supervision shall apply to all the features of operation and maintenance which do or may affect the public health and safety or the quality of the environment and which do or may affect the proper processing and disposal of solid wastes. The board is empowered to adopt and enforce rules and regulations governing the operation and maintenance of such facilities, operations, and sites. Municipalities, cities, towns, and local boards of health may adopt and enforce such rules, ordinances and regulations equal to or exceeding those adopted by the commissioner, and consistent with the purposes of this part. For exercising such general supervision, the commissioner is authorized to investigate such facilities, operations and sites as often as the commissioner deems necessary.

(b) Actions taken by the department, commissioner or board in accordance with this section shall be conducted in accordance with title 13, chapter 18, when the action involves a major energy project, as defined in § 13-18-102.

(c) The department shall require all solid waste disposal facilities to have a groundwater monitoring program and report sampling results to the department at least once each year. If sampling results indicate that ground water protection standards are exceeded, the owner or operator of the facility shall commence an assessment monitoring program, in accordance with regulations adopted by the board and carry out all corrective measures specified by the commissioner.