(a) The department shall exercise general supervision over the operation and maintenance of public water supplies and public sewerage systems throughout the state. Such general supervision shall include all of the features of operation and maintenance which do or may affect the sanitary quality of the water supply and all of the features of operation and maintenance which do or may affect the proper treatment or disposal of sewage. For exercising such general supervision over the operation and maintenance of public water supplies and public sewerage systems, the department is authorized to investigate the public water supplies and public sewerage systems as often as is deemed necessary by the commissioner, and may adopt and enforce regulations governing the operation and maintenance of public water supply and public sewerage systems. Records of operation of public water supplies and of public sewerage systems shall be kept on blanks furnished by the department, and this data shall be submitted to the department at such times and intervals as the department may direct. Samples of water or sewage shall be submitted to the department when and in such manner as the department may direct. When the department shall have required the submission of such records or reports of operation and samples of water or sewage, the person in charge of the public water supply or public sewerage system shall promptly comply with such request.

(b) Whenever a public water supply system:

(1) Is not in compliance with departmental public water supply system regulations;

(2) Fails to perform monitoring required by regulations adopted by the department;

(3) Is subject to a variance or an exemption granted by the department; or

(4) Fails to comply with the requirements prescribed by a variance or exemption;