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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 5. Department of Health
Chapter 590. Waterworks Regulations
11/21/2024

12VAC5-590-873. Solids contact treatment units.

A. Solids contact units shall be acceptable for combined flocculation and clarification where source water characteristics are not variable and flow rates are uniform. When approved, these units shall be designed for the maximum uniform rate and shall be adjustable to changes in flow that are less than the design rate and for changes in water characteristics.

B. A minimum of two units shall be provided.

C. A rapid mix device designed in accordance with 12VAC5-590-871 A shall be provided. Mixing devices shall be constructed to:

1. Provide good mixing of the source water with previously formed sludge particles; and

2. Prevent deposition of solids in the mixing zone.

D. Flocculation equipment designed in accordance with 12VAC5-590-871 B shall:

1. Be equipped with an adjustable drive mechanism;

2. Ensure that coagulation occurs in a separate chamber or baffled zone within the unit; and

3. Provide a flocculation period of at least 20 minutes.

E. The sludge equipment shall provide either internal or external sludge concentrators in order to obtain a concentrated sludge with a minimum of waste water. Sludge removal systems shall provide:

1. Sludge pipe sizes of not less than three inches in diameter;

2. Piping arrangements to prevent clogging and to facilitate cleaning;

3. Valves that are located outside the tank for accessibility;

4. A means to observe or sample sludge being withdrawn from the unit;

5. A time clock with proportional timer with automatic blowoff; and

6. Suitable controls for sludge withdrawal.

F. Cross-connections.

1. Blowoff outlets and drains shall terminate and discharge at a place satisfactory to the department; and

2. Cross-connection control shall be included for the potable water mains used to flush sludge lines.

G. The detention time shall be established on the basis of the source water characteristics and other local conditions that affect the operation of the unit. The minimum detention time shall be two hours for suspended solids contact clarifiers.

H. Orifices shall produce uniform rising rates over the entire area of the tank and shall provide for an exit velocity not to exceed 1.0 ft/sec.

I. Upflow rates shall not exceed 1.0 gpm/ft² of area at the sludge separation line.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.

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