Part I. General Framework for Waterworks Regulations
Article 1
Definitions [Repealed]
12VAC5-590-10. Definitions and units of measurement.
A. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following words, terms, and abbreviations shall have meanings respectively set forth unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
"Action level" or "AL" means the concentration of lead or copper in water specified in 12VAC5-590-385, which determines, in some cases, the treatment requirements contained in 12VAC5-590-405 that an owner is required to complete.
"Administrative Process Act" or "APA" means Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia. The APA is the basic law conferring authority on agencies either to make regulations or case decisions as well as to standardize court review thereof.
"Air gap separation" means the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest point of the potable water outlet and the flood rim of the receiving vessel.
"ANSI" means the American National Standards Institute.
"Applied water" means water that is ready for filtration.
"ASME" means the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
"ASSE" means the American Society of Sanitary Engineering.
"ASTM" means the American Society for Testing and Materials.
"Auxiliary water system" means any water supply or system on or available to the premises of the consumer other than the waterworks. These may be polluted or contaminated, objectionable, or of questionable quality and constitute an unapproved water supply or system over which the waterworks owner does not have control.
"AWWA" means the American Water Works Association.
"Backflow" means the undesirable reversal of flow of water or mixtures of water and other liquids, gases, or other substances into a waterworks.
"Backflow elimination method" means the air gap separation or physical disconnection that will eliminate the cross-connection.
"Backflow prevention assembly" means a mechanical unit, designed to control various cross-connections and stop the reversal of flow that includes an inlet and outlet shutoff valve and test cocks to facilitate testing of the assembly. Backflow prevention assemblies include the reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly, the double check valve assembly, and the pressure vacuum breaker assembly.
"Backflow prevention device" means a mechanical unit designed to control cross-connections and stop the reversal of flow that is not testable because it does not have inlet and outlet shutoff valves or test cocks. A backflow prevention device is not generally designed or constructed to withstand continuous pressure over 12 hours, or to control high hazards. A backflow prevention device generally includes the atmospheric type vacuum breakers and the dual check valve type devices.
"Backpressure backflow" means backflow caused by pressure in the downstream piping that is superior to the supply pressure at the point of consideration.
"Backsiphonage" means backflow caused by a reduction in pressure that causes a partial vacuum, creating a siphon effect.
"Bag filters" means pressure-driven separation devices that remove particulate matter larger than one micrometer using an engineered porous filtration media. Bag filters are typically constructed of a nonrigid, fabric filtration media housed in a pressure vessel in which the direction of flow is from the inside of the bag to outside.
"Bank filtration" means a water treatment process that uses a well to recover surface water that has naturally infiltrated into groundwater through a river bed or bank. Infiltration is typically enhanced by the hydraulic gradient imposed by a nearby pumping water supply or other well.
"Best available technology" or "BAT" means the best practicable technology, treatment techniques, or other means that the department finds, after examination for efficacy under field conditions and not solely under laboratory conditions, that are available (taking cost into consideration).
"Board" means the State Board of Health.
"Boil water advisory" and "boil water notice" mean a statement that informs consumers that drinking water is or may be contaminated and that the water should be boiled before being used for human consumption.
"BSSP" means a bacteriological sample siting plan.
"CAP" means a corrective action plan.
"Cartridge filters" means pressure-driven separation devices that remove particulate matter larger than one micrometer using an engineered porous filtration media. Cartridge filters are typically constructed as rigid or semi-rigid, self-supporting filter elements housed in pressure vessels in which flow is from the outside of the cartridge to the inside.
"Case decision" means an agency determination as defined in § 2.2-4001 of the Code of Virginia.
"CCCP" means a cross-connection control program.
"CCR" means consumer confidence report.
"CDC" means the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"CFE" means the combined filter effluent.
"CFR" means the Code of Federal Regulations.
"Clean compliance history" means a record of no PMCL violations for microbiological contaminants, no monitoring violations under 12VAC5-590-370, and no coliform treatment technique trigger exceedances or treatment technique violations under 12VAC5-590-392.
"Coagulation" means a process using coagulant chemicals and mixing by which colloidal and suspended materials are destabilized and agglomerated into floc.
"Combined distribution system" means the interconnected distribution system consisting of the distribution systems of wholesale waterworks and of the consecutive waterworks that receive finished water.
"Commissioner" means the State Health Commissioner, who is the executive officer of the board.
"Community waterworks" means a waterworks that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.
"Compliance cycle" means the nine-year calendar year cycle during which a waterworks shall monitor. Each compliance cycle consists of three three-year compliance periods. The first calendar year cycle began January 1, 1993, and ended December 31, 2001, with subsequent compliance cycles continuing thereafter.
"Compliance period" means a three-year calendar year period within a compliance cycle. Each compliance cycle consists of three three-year compliance periods. The first compliance period began January 1, 1993, and ended December 31, 1995, with subsequent compliance periods continuing thereafter.
"Comprehensive business plan" means a plan detailing the technical, managerial, and financial commitments that the owner will make in order to assure that the waterworks will have the capability to provide water that complies with this chapter over the long term.
"Confirmation sample" means a sample to be collected by the owner within a specified time after the results of the initial sample are known to have exceeded a specified limit or standard in order to validate the initial result and to determine compliance.
"Confluent growth" means a continuous bacterial growth covering the entire filtration area of a membrane filter, or a portion thereof, in which bacterial colonies are not discrete.
"Consecutive waterworks" means a waterworks that receives some or all of its finished water from one or more waterworks. Consecutive waterworks may provide additional treatment to finished water. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the distribution system of one or more consecutive waterworks.
"Consolidated" means rock made from sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic materials that have been metamorphosed or cemented together forming strata or bodies of rock.
"Consumer" means any person receiving water for human consumption from a waterworks.
"Consumer's water system" means any water system located on the consumer's premises, supplied by or in any manner connected to a waterworks.
"Containment" means the safeguard against backflow into a waterworks from a consumer's water system by installing an appropriate backflow prevention assembly, backflow prevention device, or backflow elimination method at the service connection or downstream of the service connection but before any unprotected takeoffs.
"Contaminant" means any objectionable or hazardous physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.
"Conventional filtration treatment" means a series of processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration resulting in substantial particulate removal.
"Corrosion inhibitor" means a substance capable of reducing the corrosivity of water toward metal plumbing materials, especially lead and copper, by forming a protective film on the interior surface of those materials.
"Cross-connection" means any actual or potential link, connection, or physical arrangement, direct or indirect, between used water, an auxiliary water system, or other source of contamination or pollution to the waterworks through which backflow can occur.
"DBPPs" means disinfection byproduct precursors.
"DBPs" means disinfection byproducts.
"DCLS" means the Virginia Department of General Services, Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services.
"Department" means the Virginia Department of Health.
"DEQ" means the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
"Diatomaceous earth filtration" means a process resulting in substantial particulate removal in which (i) a precoat cake of diatomaceous earth filter media is deposited on a support membrane (septum), and (ii) while the water is filtered by passing through the cake on the septum, additional filter media known as body feed is continuously added to the feed water to maintain the permeability of the filter cake.
"Direct filtration" means a series of processes including coagulation and filtration but excluding sedimentation resulting in substantial particulate removal.
"Disinfectant" means any chemical and physical agents, including chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, ozone, and UV light, added to water in any part of the treatment or distribution process for the purpose of killing or inactivating pathogenic organisms.
"Disinfection" means a process that inactivates or destroys pathogenic organisms in water by use of a disinfectant.
"Disinfection profile" means a summary of Giardia lamblia or virus inactivation through the water treatment plant.
"Distribution main" means a water pipeline whose primary purpose is to convey drinking water to service connections.
"Distribution system" means a network of pipelines and appurtenances by which a waterworks delivers drinking water to its consumers.
"DOC" means the dissolved organic carbon in a water sample.
"Double check valve assembly" or "double check detector backflow assembly" means a backflow prevention assembly composed of two single independently acting check valves including tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly and test cocks to facilitate testing of the assembly, used for low hazard situations.
"DPOR" means the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
"Drawdown" means the difference, measured vertically, between the static water level in the well and the water level during pumping.
"Dual sample set" means a set of two samples collected at the same time and same location, with one sample analyzed for TTHM and the other sample analyzed for HAA5.
"Enhanced coagulation" means the addition of sufficient coagulant for improved removal of disinfection byproduct precursors by conventional filtration treatment.
"Enhanced softening" means the improved removal of disinfection byproduct precursors by precipitative softening.
"Entry point" means the place where water from the source after application of any treatment is delivered to the distribution system. Where two or more sources are combined before distribution, the entry point is the location that is representative of the blended water following all treatment.
"EPA" means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"Exemption" means allowing a waterworks that satisfies the criteria in 12VAC5-590-150 to deviate from a specific PMCL or treatment technique requirement that is granted to the waterworks for a limited period of time.
"Filter profile" means a graphical representation of individual filter performance, based on continuous turbidity measurements or total particle counts versus time for an entire filter run, from start-up to backwash inclusively, that includes an assessment of filter performance while another filter is being backwashed.
"Filtration" means a process for removing particulate matter from water by passage through porous media.
"Finished water" means water that is introduced into the distribution system of a waterworks and is intended for distribution and consumption without further treatment, except as treatment is necessary to maintain water quality in the distribution system (e.g., booster disinfection).
"Flocculation" means a process to enhance agglomeration or collection of smaller floc particles into larger, more easily settleable particles through gentle stirring by hydraulic or mechanical means.
"Flowing stream" means a course of running water flowing in a definite channel.
"Free available chlorine" means that portion of the total chlorine residual remaining in water at the end of a specified contact period that will react chemically and biologically as hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite ion.
"GAC" means granular activated carbon.
"Gross alpha particle activity" means the total radioactivity due to alpha particle emission as inferred from measurements on a dry sample.
"Gross beta particle activity" means the total radioactivity due to beta particle emission as inferred from measurements on a dry sample.
"Groundwater" means all water obtained from sources not classified as surface water.
"Groundwater system" means any waterworks that uses groundwater as its source of supply; however, a waterworks that combines all its groundwater with surface water or with groundwater under the direct influence of surface water before treatment is not a groundwater system. Groundwater systems include consecutive waterworks that receive potable water from another groundwater source.
"Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water" or "GUDI" means any water beneath the surface of the ground with (i) significant occurrence of insects or other macroorganisms, algae, or large-diameter pathogens such as Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium or (ii) significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH that closely correlate to climatological or surface water conditions. GUDI source determinations shall be made by the department in accordance with 12VAC5-590-430.
"GWMA" means the groundwater management area designation by the State Water Control Board.
"Haloacetic acids (five)" or "HAA5" means the sum of the concentrations of the haloacetic acids, expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) as rounded to two significant figures. For the purpose of this chapter the HAA5 shall mean monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid.
"Halogen" means one of the chemical elements chlorine, bromine, fluorine, astatine, or iodine.
"Health hazard" means any condition, device, or practice in a waterworks or its operation that creates, or may create, a danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer.
"HPC" means the heterotrophic plate count of a bacterial population.
"Human consumption" means drinking, food preparation, dishwashing, bathing, showering, hand washing, teeth brushing, and maintaining oral hygiene.
"Hypochlorite" means the ionic component from the disassociation of hypochlorous acid that performs the function of disinfection. It is the available active ingredient in liquid hypochlorite disinfectants such as sodium and calcium hypochlorite.
"Initial compliance period" means the compliance period in which chemical and radiological monitoring began, and it is represented by the first full three-year compliance period beginning at least 18 months after rule promulgation. It applies to inorganic, organic, and radionuclide contaminants listed in Tables 340.1, 340.2, and 340.4, respectively.
"Isolation" means the safeguard against backflow into a waterworks from a consumer's water system by installing an appropriate backflow prevention assembly or device or by installing a backflow elimination method at the sources of potential contamination in the consumer's water system. This is also called point-of-use isolation.
"Karst geology" means an area predominantly underlain by limestone, dolomite, or gypsum and characterized by rapid underground drainage. These areas often feature sinkholes, caverns, and sinking or disappearing creeks.
"Lake or reservoir" means a natural or man-made basin or hollow on the Earth's surface in which water collects or is stored that may or may not have a current or single direction of flow.
"Lead free" means the following: (i) when used with respect to solders and flux, refers to solders and flux containing not more than 0.2% lead; and (ii) when used with respect to pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and plumbing fixtures, refers to the weighted average of wetted surfaces of pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, and plumbing fixtures containing not more than 0.25% lead.
"Lead service line" means a pipeline made of lead that connects the distribution main to the building inlet and any lead pigtail, gooseneck, or other fitting that is connected to the lead pipeline.
"Leakage" means the loss of potable water from the distribution system, up to the points of service connections, through breaks or defects in piping and piping appurtenances.
"Legionella" means a genus of bacteria, some species of which cause a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires disease.
"Level 1 assessment" means an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects, defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and, when possible, the likely reason that the waterworks triggered the assessment.
"Level 2 assessment" means an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects, defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and, when possible, the likely reason that the waterworks triggered the assessment in a more comprehensive investigation than a Level 1 assessment.
"Locational running annual average" or "LRAA" means the average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters.
"Log inactivation" means the inactivation of organisms expressed on a logarithmic scale. For example, a 99.9% inactivation is a 3-log inactivation; whereas a 99.99% inactivation is a 4-log inactivation.
"Log removal" means the removal of organisms expressed on a logarithmic scale. For example, a 99.9% is a 3-log removal; whereas a 99.99% removal is a 4-log removal.
"Maximum contaminant level" or "MCL" means the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in potable water that is delivered to any consumer of a waterworks. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the BAT. MCLs may be either "primary" (PMCL), meaning based on health considerations, or "secondary" (SMCL), meaning based on aesthetic considerations.
"Maximum contaminant level goal" or "MCLG" means the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur and that allows an adequate margin of safety. Maximum contaminant level goals are nonenforceable health goals.
"Maximum residual disinfectant level" or "MRDL" means a level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer's tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse health effects.
"Maximum residual disinfectant level goal" or "MRDLG" means the maximum level of a disinfectant added for water treatment at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur, and that allows an adequate margin of safety. MRDLGs are nonenforceable health goals and do not reflect the benefit of the addition of the chemical for control of waterborne microbial contaminants.
"Maximum total trihalomethane potential" or "MTP" means the maximum concentration of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) produced in a given water containing a residual disinfectant after seven days at a temperature of 25°C or above.
"Membrane filtration" means a pressure or vacuum-driven separation process in which particulate matter larger than one micrometer is rejected by an engineered barrier, primarily through a size exclusion mechanism, and that has a measurable removal efficiency of a target organism that can be verified through the application of a direct integrity test. Included in this definition are the common membrane classifications of microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO).
"Membrane module" means the smallest component of a membrane unit in which a specific membrane surface area is housed in a device with a filtrate outlet.
"Membrane technology" means a process that uses a permeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, or particles from the process stream, such as MF, UF, NF, RO, and electrodialysis reversal (EDR).
"Membrane unit" means a group of membrane modules that share common valving that allows the unit to be isolated from the rest of the system for the purpose of integrity testing or other maintenance.
"Method detection limit" or "MDL" means the minimum concentration of a substance that can be measured and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero and is determined from analysis of a sample in a given matrix containing the analyte.
"Microfiltration" or "MF" means a pressure-driven membrane technology that separates particles, based on the pore-size rating of the membrane, from a feed stream by using a sieving mechanism. Typically, MF can remove particles down to 0.1 micrometer in size.
"Most probable number" or "MPN" means the density or number of organisms per unit volume most likely to be present in a water sample and obtained from method-specific statistical MPN tables.
"MPA" means the microscopic particulate analysis method approved by EPA for use in the determination of whether a groundwater is under the influence of surface water.
"Nanofiltration" or "NF" means a pressure-driven membrane technology designed to remove multivalent ions ("softening") and other constituents based on the pore size, which ranges from one to 10 nanometers. Nanofiltration membranes typically operate under a pressure range of 600 to 1100 psi.
"Noncommunity waterworks" means a waterworks that is not a community waterworks, but operates at least 60 days out of the year.
"Nonpotable water" means water not classified as pure water.
"Nontransient noncommunity waterworks" or "NTNC" means a waterworks that is not a community waterworks and that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over six months out of the year. When used in the context of an NTNC, "regularly serves" means four or more hours per day, for four or more days per week, for 26 or more weeks per year.
"NSF" means NSF International, formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation. NSF collaborates with ANSI and Canadian authorities on drinking water standards development (NSF/ANSI/CAN).
"One hundred year flood elevation" or "100-year flood elevation" means flood elevation that has a 1.0% probability of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
"Operating staff" means individuals employed or appointed by an owner to work at a waterworks. Included in this definition are operators, whether or not the operator's license is appropriate for the classification and category of the waterworks, and unlicensed individuals.
"Operator" means any individual with the requisite skills, employed or appointed by any owner, who is designated by the owner to be the person having full responsibility for the waterworks operations and any subordinate operating staff. The individual may be a supervisor, a shift operator, or a substitute in charge, and have duties including testing or evaluation to control waterworks operations. Not included in this definition are superintendents or directors of public works, city engineers, or other municipal or industrial officials whose duties do not include the actual operation or direct supervision of waterworks.
"Optimal corrosion control treatment" means the corrosion control treatment that minimizes the lead and copper concentrations at consumers' taps while ensuring that the treatment does not cause the waterworks to violate any other section of this chapter.
"Optimum fluoride ion concentration" means that fluoride ion concentration recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for protection from dental caries.
"Owner" means an individual, group of individuals, partnership, firm, association, institution, corporation, governmental entity, or the federal government that supplies or proposes to supply water to any person within the Commonwealth from or by means of any waterworks.
"PAC" means powdered activated carbon.
"PCBs" means polychlorinated biphenyls.
"PER" means a preliminary engineering report.
"Permit" means an authorization granted by the commissioner to construct or operate a waterworks.
"Permitted capacity" means the limiting hydraulic capability of the waterworks, taking into consideration the source water capacity, treatment facilities, finished water storage, delivery, and distribution system.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, or instrumentality thereof.
"pH" means the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration of an aqueous solution.
"Physical disconnection" means the removal or absence of pipes, fittings, or fixtures that connect a waterworks directly or indirectly to any other water system.
"Picocurie" or "pCi" means that quantity of radioactive material producing 2.22 nuclear transformations per minute.
"PMCL" means the primary maximum contaminant level of a contaminant based on health considerations.
"Point of disinfectant application" means the point where the disinfectant is applied and water downstream of that point is not subject to recontamination by surface runoff.
"Point-of-entry device" or "POE device" means a treatment device applied to the water entering a house or building for the purpose of reducing contaminants in the water distributed throughout the house or building.
"Point-of-use device" or "POU device" means a treatment device applied to a single tap for the purpose of reducing contaminants in the water at that one tap.
"Pollution" means the presence of any foreign substance (chemical, physical, radiological, or biological) in water that tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute an unnecessary risk to human health or impair the usefulness of the water.
"Potable water" means the same as "pure water."
"Practical quantitation level" or "PQL" means the lowest level that can be reliably measured within specified limits of precision and accuracy during routine laboratory conditions.
"Prechlorination" means the application of chlorine to water before filtration.
"Presedimentation" means a preliminary treatment process used to remove gravel, sand, and other particulate material from the source water through settling before the water enters the primary clarification and filtration processes in a water treatment plant.
"Pressure vacuum breaker assembly" means a backflow prevention assembly (i) designed to prevent backsiphonage and used for high hazard or low hazard situations; (ii) composed of an independently operating spring-loaded check valve, an independently operating spring-loaded air-inlet valve, and tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the assembly; and (iii) fitted with properly located test cocks to facilitate testing of the assembly.
"Primary disinfection" means disinfection to achieve a desired level of inactivation of targeted pathogenic organisms in water by chemical or physical agents as an integral part of the treatment process.
"Process fluids" means any fluid or solution that may be chemically, biologically, or otherwise contaminated or polluted that would constitute a health, environmental, or system hazard if introduced into the waterworks. This includes (i) polluted or contaminated water; (ii) used waters; (iii) cooling waters; (iv) contaminated natural waters taken from wells, lakes or reservoirs, streams, or irrigation systems; (v) chemicals in solution or suspension; or (vi) oils, gases, acids, alkalis, and other liquid and gaseous fluid used in industrial or other processes.
"Process water" means water used for dissolving dry chemicals; diluting liquid chemicals; and operating chemical feeders, treatment facilities, or equipment.
"Project documents" means the engineer's report, design criteria, preliminary and final plans, specifications, and procurement documents for the construction of new waterworks or modifications to existing waterworks.
"Pure water" means water fit for human consumption that is (i) sanitary and normally free of minerals, organic substances, and toxic agents in excess of reasonable amounts and (ii) adequate in quantity and quality for the minimum health requirements of the persons served.
"QCRV" means the quality control release value used in challenge tests of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membrane filters.
"RAA" means running annual average.
"Reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly" or "reduced pressure zone backflow prevention assembly" or "RPZ assembly" means an assembly designed to prevent backsiphonage or backpressure backflow and used for high or low hazard situations, composed of two independently operating spring-loaded check valves together with an independent, hydraulically operating pressure differential relief valve located between the two check valves. During normal flow and at the cessation of normal flow, the pressure between these two checks shall be less than the supply pressure. The assembly shall include tightly closing shutoff valves located at each end of the RPZ assembly and shall be fitted with properly located test cocks to facilitate testing of the assembly.
"REM" means the unit of dose equivalent from ionizing radiation to the total body or any internal organ or organ system. A millirem (mrem) is 1/1000 of an REM.
"Repeat compliance period" means any subsequent compliance period after the initial compliance period.
"Residual disinfectant concentration" means the concentration of disinfectant measured in mg/L in a representative sample of water.
"Reverse osmosis" or "RO" means a membrane technology designed to remove salts, low-molecular weight solutes, and all other constituents up to 0.0001 micron in size by applying a pressure in excess of osmotic pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high solution concentration to a region of lower solution concentration.
"Sanitary defect" means a defect that could provide a pathway of entry for microbial contamination into the distribution system or that is indicative of a failure or imminent failure in a protective barrier that is already in place.
"Sanitary survey" means an evaluation conducted by the department of a waterworks' water supply, facilities, equipment, operation, maintenance, monitoring records, and overall management to ensure the provision of potable water.
"SDWA" means the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 USC § 300f et seq.) and its amendments.
"Seasonal waterworks" means a noncommunity waterworks that is not operated as a waterworks on a year-round basis, and starts up and shuts down at the beginning and end of each operating season.
"Secondary disinfection" means disinfection by chemical oxidants or equivalent agents applied at the entry point or in the distribution system to provide a residual disinfectant in water to maintain water quality and safeguard against chance contamination from permeation, leaching, intrusion, regrowth, or biofilms.
"Sedimentation" means a process for removal of solids before filtration by gravity or separation.
"Service connection" means the point of delivery of finished water from a waterworks to a consumer's water system, fire protection system, irrigation system, and to all other points where finished water is delivered through the distribution system to a consumer. Generally, the service connection occurs at the water meter, or at the distribution main if no water meter is installed, or in the case of an owner of both the waterworks and the building supplied, the point of entry into the building. Service connections may be permanent, temporary, or emergency.
"Service line" means the pipeline or service pipe between the service connection and the building connection.
"Sewer" means any pipe or conduit used to convey sanitary sewage, stormwater, or industrial waste streams. Combined sewers convey both stormwater and sanitary sewage.
"Significant deficiency" means any defect in a waterworks' design, operation, maintenance, or administration, as well as the failure or malfunction of any waterworks component that may cause or has the potential to cause, an unacceptable risk to health or could affect the reliable delivery of potable water to consumers.
"Single-family structure" means, for the purpose of 12VAC5-590-375 B only, a building constructed as a single-family residence that is currently used as either a residence or a place of business.
"Site visit" means a tour of a waterworks by the department or other authorized persons for purposes including assessing and documenting its physical condition, operations, and compliance activities.
"Slow sand filtration" means a process involving passage of source water through a bed of sand at low velocity (generally less than 0.4 m/h), resulting in substantial particulate removal by physical and biological mechanisms.
"SMCL" means the secondary maximum contaminant level of a contaminant. SMCLs are based on aesthetic qualities related to the public acceptance of drinking water.
"SOP" means standard operating procedure.
"Source water" means water as it is pumped or otherwise withdrawn from a well, spring, stream, lake or reservoir, or any body of surface water (natural or impounded), and before any treatment.
"Supervisory control and data acquisition" or "SCADA" means a computer-controlled system used by a waterworks to monitor its operations. Typical design features may be specific to individual waterworks and include alarm, response, control, and data acquisition.
"Surface water" means all water open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff.
"SUVA" means specific ultraviolet absorption at 254 nanometers (nm), an indicator of the humic content of the water. It is a calculated parameter obtained by dividing a sample's ultraviolet absorption at a wavelength of 254 nm (UV254) (in m-1) by its concentration of DOC (in mg/L).
"Synthetic organic chemical" or "SOC" means a man-made organic compound, generally utilized for agriculture or industrial purposes. Table 340.2 lists SOCs regulated as contaminants.
"System hazard" means a condition posing an actual, or threat of, damage to the physical properties of the waterworks or a consumer's water system.
"TDS" means total dissolved solids.
"TMF" means the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities to operate and maintain a waterworks.
"Too numerous to count" or "TNTC" means that the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds 200 on a 47-mm diameter membrane filter used for coliform detection.
"Total organic carbon" or "TOC" means total organic carbon in milligrams per liter (mg/l) measured using heat, oxygen, ultraviolet irradiation, chemical oxidants, or combinations of these oxidants that convert organic carbon to carbon dioxide, rounded to two significant figures.
"Total trihalomethanes" or "TTHM" means the sum of the concentrations of the trihalomethanes (THMs) expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and rounded to two significant figures. For the purpose of this chapter, TTHM shall mean trichloromethane (chloroform), dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane, and tribromomethane (bromoform).
"Transient noncommunity waterworks" or "TNC" means a noncommunity waterworks that is not a nontransient noncommunity waterworks (NTNC). A TNC serves at least 25 persons daily for at least 60 days out of the year.
"Treatment" means any process that changes the chemical, physical, radiological, or bacteriological quality of water.
"Treatment technique" or "TT" means a technology or process demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department to lead to a reduction in the level of a specific contaminant sufficient to comply with this chapter.
"Triggered source water monitoring" means monitoring required of any groundwater system as a result of a total coliform-positive sample in the distribution system.
"Trihalomethane" or "THM" means one of the family of organic compounds, named as derivatives of methane, wherein three of the four hydrogen atoms in methane are each substituted by a halogen atom in the molecular structure.
"Ultrafiltration" or "UF" means a membrane technology designed to remove particles up to 0.01 micron in size.
"Unconsolidated" means loose sediment that has not been compacted, cemented, lithified, or metamorphosed into rock. Sediment may be derived from a sedimentary-type, igneous-type, metamorphic-type rock, which includes clay, silt, sand, gravel, and mixtures of these particle types.
"Uncovered finished water storage facility" means a tank, reservoir, or other facility used to store water that will undergo no further treatment to reduce microbial pathogens (except residual disinfection) and is directly open to the atmosphere.
"Unregulated contaminant" or "UC" means a contaminant for which a monitoring requirement has been established, but for which no MCL or treatment technique requirement has been established.
"USBC" means the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).
"Used water" means any water supplied by a waterworks to a consumer's water system after it has passed through the service connection and is no longer under the control of the owner.
"UV" means ultraviolet.
"Variance" means allowing a waterworks that satisfies the criteria in 12VAC5-590-140 to provide drinking water that does not fully comply with this chapter. A PMCL variance is a variance to a primary maximum contaminant level, or a treatment technique requirement. An operational variance is a variance to an operational regulation or a SMCL.
"Virus" means a virus of fecal origin that is infectious to humans by waterborne transmission and must be preemptively inactivated through disinfection before human consumption.
"Volatile organic chemical" or "VOC" means an organic compound generally characterized by its low molecular weight and its tendency to vaporize rapidly at relatively low temperatures and pressures. Table 340.2 lists VOCs regulated as contaminants.
"VOSH" means the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health program.
"Waiver" means permission from the department to deviate from the monitoring and reporting requirements in this chapter for a specific contaminant.
"Waterborne disease outbreak" means the significant occurrence of acute infectious illness, epidemiologically associated with the ingestion of water from a waterworks that is deficient in treatment, as determined by the commissioner or the State Epidemiologist.
"Water supply" means the source of water taken into a waterworks including wells, streams, springs, lakes or reservoirs, and other bodies of surface waters (natural or impounded), and the tributaries thereto, and all impounded groundwater. The term "water supply" shall not include any waters above the point of intake of the waterworks.
"Water treatment plant" means that portion of a waterworks intended specifically for water treatment; it may include, among other operations, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
"Waterworks" means a system that serves piped water for human consumption to at least 15 service connections or 25 or more individuals for at least 60 days out of the year. "Waterworks" includes all structures, equipment, and appurtenances used in the storage, collection, purification, treatment, and distribution of potable water except the piping and fixtures inside the building where such water is delivered.
"Waterworks business operation plan" means the same as "comprehensive business plan."
"Wholesale waterworks" means a waterworks that treats source water as necessary to produce potable water and then delivers some or all of that potable water to another waterworks. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the distribution system of one or more consecutive waterworks.
B. As used in this chapter, the following units of measurement shall use the abbreviations as shown in this subsection:
C – degrees Celsius
CU – color units
ft2 – square feet of area
ft/min – feet per minute
ft/sec – feet per second
gpd – gallons per day
gpd/ft2 – gallons per day per square foot
gpm – gallons per minute
gpm/ft – gallons per minute per foot
gpm/ft2 – gallons per minute per square foot
in – inches
lb – pounds
lb/day – pounds per day
lb/ft2 – pounds per square foot
MFL – million fibers per liter
MGD – million gallons per day
mg/L – milligrams per liter
min – minutes
mJ/cm2 – millijoules per square centimeter
mrem – millirem
nm – nanometer (10-9 meter)
NTU – nephelometric turbidity units
pCi – picocuries
pCi/L – picocuries per liter
ppb – parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (μg/L)
ppm – parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppq – parts per quadrillion, or pictograms per liter (pq/L)
ppt – parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L)
psi – pounds per square inch
psig – pounds per square inch gauge
scfm/ft2 – standard cubic feet per minute per square foot
µm – micrometers (10-6 meter or microns)
µg/L – micrograms per liter
µS/cm – microSiemens per centimeter
W/m2 – Watts per square meter
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-001.02 § 1.1, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 12, Issue 2, eff. November 15, 1995; Volume 18, Issue 19, eff. July 3, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 17, eff. June 4, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. April 6, 2005; Volume 22, Issue 24, eff. September 6, 2006; Volume 25, Issue 5, eff. December 10, 2008; Volume 27, Issue 1, eff. October 13, 2010; Volume 28, Issue 5, eff. December 7, 2011; Volume 28, Issue 19, eff. June 21, 2012; Volume 31, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2014; Volume 33, Issue 3, eff. November 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021; Errata, 37:22 VA.R. 3447 June 21, 2021.
Article 2
General Information [Repealed]
12VAC5-590-20. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-002.01 § 1.3, eff. August 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-30. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-002.02 § 1.4, eff. August 1, 1991; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-35. Delegation of authority.
The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may perform any act of the board provided under this chapter, except as limited by § 32.1-20 of the Code of Virginia.
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.
12VAC5-590-40. Administration of this chapter.
A. The board is responsible for promulgating, amending, and repealing regulations to ensure a supply of potable water.
B. The commissioner is vested with all the authority of the board when it is not in session, subject to such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the board.
C. The department is designated as the primary agent of the board for the purpose of administering this chapter. It examines the technical aspects of all applications and plans for waterworks projects before drafting a permit for final approval by the commissioner. It also has primary responsibility for monitoring waterworks operations to ensure that water supplied to consumers is potable water.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-002.03 § 1.5, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-45. Waterworks Advisory Committee.
A. A Waterworks Advisory Committee (WAC) shall be formed by the commissioner to review and make recommendations regarding the regulatory, policy, and legislative aspects of the department's authorities. WAC members shall consist of industry professionals employed outside the department with longstanding expertise or vested interest in waterworks operations and represent a diverse group of stakeholders. Members shall be experts in the fields of water treatment technologies, public health, water quality, economics, environmental science, public utilities, community development, or industry regulations. A minimum of nine persons shall be appointed to the committee by the commissioner.
B. The WAC will convene at least quarterly.
C. WAC meetings will be considered public meetings. Notice of scheduled meetings will be posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at least three working days before the date of the meeting. Meeting minutes will be posted to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall within 10 working days after the meeting.
D. Each member of the WAC shall hold office for a term of three years, except that:
1. With approval by the commissioner, members are eligible for reappointment to consecutive terms.
2. Each member of the WAC serves at the pleasure of the commissioner.
E. The commissioner shall appoint the chair of the WAC.
F. The WAC shall have a member of the department serve as secretary.
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.
12VAC5-590-50. Application of this chapter to waterworks in operation or planned before June 23, 2021.
A. The owner shall comply with Part II (12VAC5-590-340 et seq.) of this chapter unless a variance or exemption is issued by the commissioner.
B. Compliance with design criteria set forth in Part III of this chapter is limited to modifications to existing waterworks and for all construction of new waterworks commenced after June 23, 2021. Portions of waterworks not being modified are not required to comply with the design criteria of Part III (12VAC5-590-640 et seq.). Waterworks construction or modification is deemed to be commenced for purposes of this section upon issuance of the construction permit.
C. Compliance with the requirements set forth in Part III of this chapter including those for materials, construction methods, and disinfection is necessary for all repairs to pipes, tanks, pumps, and appurtenances that are part of a waterworks.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-002.04 § 1.6, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 12, Issue 2, eff. November 15, 1995; Volume 27, Issue 1, eff. October 13, 2010; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-55. Relationship of this chapter to the Uniform Statewide Building Code.
A. This chapter governs waterworks facilities from any source water to all service connections.
B. In accordance with § 36-98 of the Code of Virginia and the USBC, the USBC governs the construction of buildings and structures, including plumbing systems and backflow prevention. The USBC also governs the water service piping from the service connection to a building or structure.
C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, this chapter shall govern:
1. Water treatment, storage, pumping facilities, and water piping that are part of a waterworks and housed in any building or structure; and
2. Backflow prevention assemblies or elimination methods, or both, installed for containment and located downstream from the service connection, including where located in any building or structure.
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.
Article 3
Procedures [Repealed]
12VAC5-590-60. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.01 § 1.7, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-70. Powers and procedures.
The board reserves the right to utilize any lawful procedure for the enforcement of this chapter.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.02 § 1.8, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-80. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.03 § 1.9, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-90. [Reserved]. (Reserved)
12VAC5-590-100. Exception; emergency regulations.
If the establishment of a regulation is necessary to meet any emergency not provided for by this chapter, the board or commissioner acting on behalf of the board when it is not in session may immediately promulgate and adopt the necessary regulation by complying with the procedures set forth in either § 2.2-4011 or § 32.1-13 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.05 § 1.11, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-110. Enforcement.
A. Notice. Whenever the department has reason to believe that a violation of Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia or of any section of this chapter may have occurred or may be occurring, the department shall notify the alleged violator. The notice shall (i) be in writing; (ii) cite the statute or regulations that are allegedly being violated; (iii) state the facts that form the basis for believing that the violation may have occurred or may be occurring; and (iv) include information on the process for obtaining a final decision or fact finding from the department on whether or not a violation has occurred. This notification is not an official finding, case decision, or adjudication but may include a request to the owner to respond timely and to take specific corrective action by a stated deadline.
B. Orders. Pursuant to § 32.1-26 of the Code of Virginia, the board may issue orders to require any owner to comply with the provisions of any law administered by it, the commissioner, or the department; any regulations promulgated by the board, including any section of this chapter; or any case decision of the board or commissioner. The commissioner, acting on behalf of the board when it is not in session, will sign the order, and the order may require:
1. The immediate cessation or correction of the violation;
2. The acquisition or use of additional equipment, supplies, or personnel to ensure that the violation does not recur;
3. The submission of a plan to prevent future violations;
4. The submission of an application for a variance or exemption;
5. Any other corrective action deemed necessary for proper compliance with this chapter; or
6. An evaluation and approval of the required submissions, if appropriate.
C. Compliance with effective orders and this chapter. The commissioner may act as the agent of the board to enforce all effective orders and this chapter. Should any owner fail to comply with any effective order or this chapter, the commissioner may:
1. Institute an administrative proceeding to revoke the owner's permit in accordance with 12VAC5-590-320 and § 32.1-174 of the Code of Virginia or other appropriate administrative remedies;
2. Request the criminal prosecution by a Commonwealth's attorney with the appropriate jurisdiction in accordance with § 32.1-27 of the Code of Virginia;
3. Request civil action by the Attorney General to impose a civil penalty, seek injunctive relief, or other appropriate legal remedies pursuant to §§ 32.1-27 and 32.1-176 of the Code of Virginia; or
4. Do any combination of subdivision C 1, C 2, or C 3 of this section.
D. Special order. Pursuant to § 32.1-175.01 of the Code of Virginia, the commissioner may, after an informal fact-finding proceeding held in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia, issue a special order that may include a civil penalty against an owner who violates the Public Water Supplies Law, §§ 32.1-167 through 32.1-176 of the Code of Virginia, this chapter, or any order of the board.
E. Graduated enforcement actions. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner or department from making efforts to obtain voluntary compliance through conference, warning, or other appropriate means before issuance of an order, instituting an administrative proceeding, or requesting an action by a Commonwealth's Attorney or the Attorney General.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.06 § 1.12, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-115. Administrative proceedings.
A. Types of administrative proceedings. Administrative proceedings before the board, the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall include the following forms depending upon the nature of the controversy and the interests of the named party involved.
1. An informal fact-finding proceeding is an informal conference between the department and the named party held in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia.
2. A formal hearing is an adjudicatory proceeding before the commissioner or a designated hearing officer held in accordance with § 2.2-4020 of the Code of Virginia.
B. Request for administrative proceeding. The named party may request an administrative proceeding by sending a request in writing to the department.
C. Administrative proceeding as a matter of right. The named party whose rights, duties, or privileges have been or may be affected by any action or inaction of the board, commissioner, or department in the administration of this chapter, has a right to both an informal fact-finding proceeding and a formal hearing; however, the commissioner reserves the right to require participation in an informal fact-finding proceeding before granting the request for a formal hearing.
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.
12VAC5-590-120. Emergency orders.
A. The commissioner may, pursuant to § 32.1-175 of the Code of Virginia, issue emergency orders in any case where there is an imminent danger to the public health resulting from the operation of any waterworks or the source of a water supply.
B. An emergency order may be communicated by the best practical notice under all the circumstances and is effective immediately upon receipt. The commissioner may order the immediate cessation of the operation of any waterworks or the use of any water supply or the correction of any condition causing the production or distribution of any water constituting an imminent danger to the public health and welfare.
C. Violation of an emergency order is subject to civil enforcement and is punishable as a criminal misdemeanor.
D. Emergency orders shall be effective for a period determined by the commissioner.
E. Emergency orders may be appealed in accordance with the provisions of the APA.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.07 § 1.13, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-125. Chronically noncompliant waterworks.
A. If the commissioner or department determines that a waterworks is a chronically noncompliant waterworks, as defined in § 32.1-167 of the Code of Virginia, then the commissioner shall issue an order to the owner containing a schedule to bring the waterworks into compliance with this chapter and require the submission of a waterworks business operation plan. If capital improvements are necessary to bring the waterworks into compliance, and the owner does not possess sufficient assets to make the necessary improvements, the order shall require the owner to make annual, good faith applications for loans, grants, or both, to appropriate financial institutions to secure funding for such improvements, until the improvements are complete and operational. The owner shall provide a copy of the order to each consumer within 10 calendar days of issuance of the order.
B. Within 15 calendar days of issuance of the commissioner's order, the owner shall certify in writing that a copy of the order was distributed to each consumer within the 10-day period specified in subsection A of this section.
C. The commissioner shall send a copy of the order to the chief administrative officer of the locality in which the waterworks is located for appropriate action under § 15.2-2146 of the Code of Virginia.
D. In addition to the provisions of § 32.1-27 of the Code of Virginia, any owner who violates this chapter, an order of the board, or a statute governing public water supplies shall be subject to those civil penalties provided in Article 2 (§ 32.1-167 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 19, eff. June 21, 2012; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-130. Suspension of this chapter.
If, in the case of a man-made or natural disaster, the commissioner determines that certain regulations cannot be complied with, then the enforcement of those regulations may be suspended for designated waterworks and a provisional regulatory scheme instituted until the conditions that brought about the suspension have abated.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.08 § 1.14, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-140. Variances.
A. The commissioner may grant a variance to a PMCL, SMCL, treatment technique requirement, or an operational regulation by following the appropriate procedures set forth in this section.
1. Requirements for a variance. A variance may be granted to a waterworks from any requirement with respect to a PMCL or SMCL upon a finding that:
a. Alternative water supplies are not reasonably available to the waterworks;
b. The characteristics of the source water that is reasonably available to the waterworks prevents the waterworks from meeting the PMCL or SMCL requirements, and on condition that the waterworks installs the BAT, treatment techniques, or other means, that the department finds are generally available (taking costs into consideration); and
c. The granting of a variance will not result in an unreasonable risk to the health of persons served by the waterworks.
2. The commissioner may grant one or more treatment technique variances to a waterworks from any requirement of a specified treatment technique upon a finding that the waterworks applying for the variance has demonstrated that the treatment technique is not necessary to protect the health of persons because of the nature of the source water at the waterworks.
3. The commissioner may grant a variance to a waterworks from an operational regulation if a thorough investigation reveals that the hardship imposed outweighs the benefits that may be received by the public and that the granting of the variance does not subject the public to unreasonable health risks.
4. An operational variance may not be issued from monitoring, reporting, or public notification requirements.
B. Request for a variance. Any owner may apply in writing for a variance. The request shall be sent to the department for evaluation. All requests for a variance shall include the following:
1. A citation of the regulation from which a variance is requested;
2. The nature and duration of the variance requested;
3. Relevant analytical results of water quality sampling of the waterworks, including results of relevant tests conducted pursuant to the requirements of this chapter;
4. A statement of the hardship to the owner and the anticipated impacts to the public health and welfare if a variance were granted;
5. Suggested conditions that might be imposed on the granting of a variance that would limit its detrimental impact on public health and welfare;
6. Other information, if any, believed by the owner to be pertinent to the request; and
7. Any other information as may be required by the commissioner to make the determination.
C. For any request made for a PMCL variance, the owner shall also include:
1. An explanation in full and evidence of the BAT;
2. The economic and legal factors relevant to the owner's ability to comply;
3. The analytic results of source water quality relevant to the variance request;
4. A proposed compliance schedule including the date each step toward compliance will be achieved. The schedule shall include as a minimum the following dates:
a. The date by which arrangement for an alternative source water or improvement of an existing source water will be completed;
b. The date of initiation of the connection of the alternative source water or improvement of the existing source water; and
c. The date by which final compliance is to be achieved.
5. A plan for the provision of potable water in the case of an excessive rise in the contaminant level for which the variance is requested;
6. A plan for interim control measures during the effective period of the variance; and
7. A plan for notifying the consumers at least once every three months, or more frequently if determined by the commissioner, that the waterworks is operating under the conditions of a variance.
D. For any request made for a treatment technique variance, the owner must also include a statement that monitoring and other reasonable requirements prescribed by the commissioner as a condition to the variance will be performed.
E. Consideration of a variance request.
1. The commissioner shall act on any variance request submitted pursuant to subsection B of this section within 90 days of receipt of the submittal.
2. The commissioner will consider comments received during the comment period and testimony in the record of a public hearing held before making a determination.
3. In the commissioner's consideration of whether the waterworks is unable to comply with a contaminant level required by this chapter because of the nature of the source water, the commissioner shall consider such factors as the following:
a. The availability and effectiveness of BAT for which the variance is requested; and
b. The cost and other economic considerations such as implementing treatment, improving the quality of the source water, or using an alternate source.
4. In the commissioner's consideration of whether a waterworks should be granted a variance to a required treatment technique because the treatment is unnecessary to protect the public health, the commissioner shall consider such factors as the following:
a. Quality of the source water including water quality data and pertinent sources of pollution; and
b. Source protection measures employed by the waterworks.
5. In the commissioner's consideration of whether a waterworks should be granted a variance to a required operational procedure, the commissioner shall consider such factors as the following:
a. The effect that such a variance would have on the adequate operation of the waterworks, including operator safety in accordance with VOSH laws and regulations;
b. The cost and other economic considerations imposed by this requirement; and
c. The effect that such a variance would have on the protection of the public health.
F. Disposition of a variance request.
1. The commissioner may reject any request for a variance by sending a rejection notice to the applicant. The rejection notice shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the rejection. A rejection notice constitutes a case decision. If the commissioner proposes to deny the variance, the owner shall be provided with an opportunity for an informal fact-finding proceeding as provided in § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia.
2. If the commissioner grants the variance, the applicant shall be notified in writing of this decision. The notice shall identify the variance, the waterworks covered, and shall specify the period of time for which the variance will be effective.
a. For a PMCL variance as specified in subdivision A 1 of this section, the notice shall provide that the variance will be terminated when the waterworks comes into compliance with the applicable regulation and may be terminated upon a finding by the commissioner that the waterworks has failed to comply with any requirements of a final schedule issued pursuant to subdivision F 3 of this section.
b. For a treatment technique variance as specified in subdivision A 2 of this section, the notice shall provide that the variance may be terminated at any time upon a finding by the commissioner that the nature of the source water is such that the specified treatment technique for which the variance was granted is necessary to protect the public health or upon a finding that the waterworks has failed to comply with monitoring and other requirements prescribed by the commissioner as a condition to the granting of the variance.
c. For an operational variance as specified in subdivision A 3 of this section, the notice shall provide that the variance will be terminated when the waterworks comes into compliance with the applicable regulation and may be terminated upon a finding by the commissioner that the waterworks has failed to comply with any requirements or schedules issued in conjunction with the variance. The effective date of the operational variance shall be the date of its issuance. A public hearing is not required before the issuance of an operational variance.
3. Schedules pursuant to PMCL and treatment technique variances:
a. The proposed schedule for compliance shall specify dates by which steps toward compliance are to be taken, including where applicable:
(1) Date by which arrangement for the alternative source water or improvement of the existing source water will be completed;
(2) Date of connection to the alternative source water or improvement of the existing source water; and
(3) Date by which final compliance is to be achieved.
b. If the waterworks has no access to an alternative source water and can effect or anticipate no adequate improvement of the existing source water, then the proposed schedule may specify an indefinite time period for compliance until a new and effective treatment technology is developed, at which time a new compliance schedule shall be prescribed by the commissioner.
c. The schedule for implementation of interim control measures during the period of variance shall specify interim treatment techniques, methods, and equipment and dates by which steps toward meeting the interim control measures are to be met.
d. The schedule shall be prescribed by the commissioner at the time the variance is granted.
e. For a PMCL variance specified in subdivision A 1 of this section, the commissioner shall propose a schedule for:
(1) Compliance (including increments of progress) by the waterworks with each contaminant level requirement covered by the variance; and
(2) Implementation by the waterworks of such control measures as the commissioner may require for each contaminant level covered by the variance.
G. Public hearings on PMCL and treatment technique variances and their schedules.
1. Notice of a public hearing shall be provided before a variance and schedule proposed by the commissioner pursuant to subsection F of this section may take effect. A notice given pursuant to this subsection may cover the granting of more than one variance and a public hearing held pursuant to such notice shall include each of the variances covered by the notice.
2. Notice of a public hearing on a request for a variance and its schedule shall be advertised in at least one major newspaper of general circulation in the region in which the waterworks is located. The notice shall include a summary of the proposed variance and its schedule and shall contain the time, date, and place of the public hearing. If the schedule exceeds five years from the date of the variance, then the rationale for the extended compliance schedule shall be discussed in the notice.
H. Issuance of variance.
1. Within 30 days after the public hearing, the commissioner shall, taking into consideration information obtained during such hearing, revise the proposed variance as necessary and prescribe the final schedule for compliance and interim measures for the waterworks granted a variance. If the schedule for compliance exceeds five years from the date of issuance of the variance, then the commissioner shall document the rationale for the extended compliance schedule.
2. The compliance schedule shall establish the timetable by which the waterworks shall comply with each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement prescribed by this chapter. Such schedule shall also consider if the waterworks is to become part of a regional waterworks. The compliance schedule shall provide the shortest practicable time schedule under the circumstances.
I. Posting of variances. All variances granted to any waterworks are nontransferable. Each variance must be attached to the permit of the waterworks to which it is granted. Each variance is a condition to that permit and is revoked when the permit is revoked.
J. No variances shall be granted to 12VAC5-590-380, 12VAC5-590-388, 12VAC5-590-395, or 12VAC5-590-411.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.09 § 1.15, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 19, Issue 24, eff. September 10, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 16, eff. May 18, 2005; Volume 33, Issue 3, eff. November 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-150. Exemptions.
A. The commissioner may grant an exemption to any PMCL or treatment technique requirement by following the procedures set forth in this section. An exemption may be granted to a waterworks upon a finding that:
1. The waterworks must be unable to implement measures to develop an alternative water supply;
2. The waterworks cannot reasonably make management or restructuring changes that will result in compliance or improve the quality of the drinking water;
3. Due to compelling factors (which may include economic factors), the waterworks is unable to comply with contaminant level or treatment technique requirements;
4. The granting of the exemption will not result in an unreasonable risk to the health of persons served by the waterworks;
5. The waterworks was in operation on the effective date of such contaminant level or treatment technique requirements; and
6. The waterworks has not been granted a variance.
B. The owner may request an exemption for a waterworks by submitting a written request to the department for evaluation. All requests for an exemption shall include the following information:
1. A citation to the regulation from which the exemption is requested;
2. The nature and duration of the exemption requested;
3. The relevant analytical results of water quality sampling of the waterworks, including results of relevant tests conducted pursuant to the requirements of this chapter;
4. An explanation of the compelling factors such as time or economic factors that prevent such waterworks from achieving compliance;
5. Other information believed by the owner to be pertinent to the request;
6. A proposed compliance schedule, including the date when each step toward compliance will be achieved; and
7. Other information as may be required by the commissioner to make the determination.
C. Consideration of an exemption request.
1. The commissioner shall act on any exemption request submitted pursuant to subsection B of this section within 90 days of receipt of the request.
2. In the commissioner's consideration of whether the waterworks is unable to comply due to compelling factors, the commissioner shall consider such factors as the following:
a. The construction, installation, or modification of treatment equipment or systems;
b. The time needed to put a new water treatment plant into operation to replace an existing water treatment plant that is not in compliance;
c. The economic feasibility of compliance;
d. The availability of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, a department program to assist waterworks in achieving the public health protection objectives of the SDWA, assistance or any other federal or state program that is reasonably likely to be available within the period of the exemption;
e. The consideration of rate increases, accounting changes, the appointment of a licensed operator under the state operator's licensure program, or contractual agreements for joint operation with one or more waterworks;
f. The activities consistent with Virginia's capacity development strategy to help the waterworks acquire and maintain technical, financial, and managerial capacity to come into compliance;
g. The ownership changes, physical consolidation with another waterworks, or other feasible and appropriate means of consolidation that would result in compliance; and
h. The availability of an alternative source of drinking water, including the feasibility of partnerships with neighboring waterworks, as identified by the waterworks or by the commissioner consistent with the capacity development strategy.
D. Disposition of an exemption request.
1. The commissioner may reject any request for an exemption by sending a rejection notice to the owner. The rejection notice shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the rejection. A rejection notice constitutes a case decision. If the commissioner proposes to deny the exemption, then the owner shall be provided with an opportunity for an informal fact-finding proceeding as provided in § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia.
2. If the commissioner grants the exemption, then the owner shall be notified in writing of this decision. The notice shall identify the exemption and the waterworks covered and shall specify the termination date of the exemption. Exemptions shall be terminated when the waterworks comes into compliance with the applicable regulation and may be terminated upon a finding by the commissioner that the waterworks has failed to comply with any requirements of a final schedule issued pursuant to subsection F of this section.
3. The commissioner shall propose a schedule for:
a. Compliance (including increments of progress) by the waterworks with each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement covered by the exemption; and
b. Implementation by the waterworks of such control measures as the commissioner may require for each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement covered by the exemption.
4. The schedule shall be prescribed by the commissioner at the time the exemption is granted.
5. For a waterworks that serves a population of not more than 3,300 persons and that needs financial assistance for the necessary improvements under the initial compliance schedule, an exemption granted by the commissioner may be for one or more additional two-year periods, but not to exceed a total of six additional years, only if the commissioner establishes that the waterworks is taking all practicable steps to meet the requirements of the exemption and the established compliance period. The commissioner will document the findings in granting an extension under this subdivision.
E. Public hearings on exemptions and their schedules.
1. Notice of a public hearing shall be provided before an exemption and schedule proposed by the commissioner pursuant to subsection D of this section may take effect. Such notice may cover the granting of more than one exemption, and a public hearing held pursuant to the notice shall include each of the exemptions covered by the notice.
2. Notice of a public hearing on a request for an exemption and its schedule shall be advertised in at least one major newspaper of general circulation in the region in which the waterworks is located.
3. The notice shall include a summary of the proposed exemption and its schedule and shall contain the time, date, and place of the public hearing.
F. Issuance of exemption.
1. Within 30 days after the public hearing, the commissioner shall, taking into consideration information obtained during the hearing, revise the proposed exemption as necessary and prescribe the final compliance schedule and interim measures before issuing the exemption to the waterworks.
2. The schedule shall establish the timetable by which the waterworks shall comply with each contaminant level and treatment technique requirement prescribed by this section. If the schedule for compliance exceeds five years from the date of issuance of the exemption, then the commissioner shall document the rationale for the extended compliance period. Such schedule shall also consider if the waterworks is to become part of a regional waterworks.
G. Posting of exemptions. All exemptions granted to any waterworks are nontransferable. Each exemption must be attached to the operation permit of the waterworks to which it is granted. Each exemption is a condition to that permit and is revoked when the permit is revoked.
H. No exemption shall be granted to 12VAC5-590-380, 12VAC5-590-388, or 12VAC5-590-395.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.10 § 1.16, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 19, Issue 24, eff. September 10, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 16, eff. May 18, 2005; Volume 33, Issue 3, eff. November 2, 2016; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-160. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.11 § 1.17, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-170. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.12 § 1.18, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-180. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.13 § 1.19, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-190. Permits.
A. No owner or other person may cause or allow any waterworks to be operated in the Commonwealth without a written operation permit issued by the commissioner.
B. No owner or other person shall cause or allow the construction or change in the manner of transmission, storage, purification, treatment, or distribution of water (including the extension of water pipes for the distribution of water) at any waterworks in the Commonwealth without a written construction permit or a general permit for distribution mains from the commissioner.
C. Construction permits may not be required for the extension of water distribution piping having a diameter of eight inches or less and serving less than 15 connections (see § 32.1-172 A of the Code of Virginia).
D. Individual construction permits for distribution mains are not required for waterworks that obtain a general permit (see 12VAC5-590-300).
E. Conditions may be imposed on the issuance of any permit, and no waterworks may be constructed, modified, or operated in violation of these conditions.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.14 § 1.20, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-200. Procedure for obtaining a construction permit.
A. Construction permits are issued by the commissioner, but all requests for a construction permit are directed initially to the department. The procedure for obtaining a construction permit includes the following steps:
1. Owners shall notify the department of all proposed construction projects, except distribution main projects that are permitted under the provisions of a general permit for distribution mains (see 12VAC5-590-300), or when the project is for the extension of water distribution piping having a diameter of eight inches or less and serving less than 15 connections (see § 32.1-172 A of the Code of Virginia).
2. The submission of a Waterworks Permit Application to the department on a form approved by the department.
3. Based on the application received, the department shall notify the owner if a preliminary engineering conference is required. A preliminary engineering conference shall be required for projects proposed using alternative delivery methods authorized under § 2.2-4380 of the Code of Virginia. The preliminary engineering conference shall define the scope of the project, project phasing, milestones, and deliverables. An evaluation procedure shall be agreed upon and the conference shall be documented.
4. The submission of preliminary engineering or intermediate design reports if required by the department. The need for and scope of the reports shall be established during the preliminary engineering conference.
5. The submission of a waterworks business operation plan that demonstrates the waterworks TMF capabilities. The waterworks business operation plan consists of four primary components:
a. Waterworks information that includes ownership data, a waterworks facility description, operator requirements, staffing needs, and staff training.
b. Management information that identifies critical business practices necessary for effective management and operation of the waterworks. Management information includes the requirements essential for managing and operating the waterworks and defines the processes, methods, and tasks necessary for complying with this chapter.
c. Financial information that identifies projects, considering the waterworks revenues and cash flow, which will be sufficient for meeting the cost of operation and maintenance for at least five full years from the initiation of operations. Financial information also demonstrates the owner's ability to direct the waterworks' finances to support technical and managerial capacities and includes a self-assessment consisting of the following financial metrics: operating cash reserve, debt service coverage, emergency reserve, and revenue sufficiency.
d. Sustainability improvements that are identified throughout the waterworks business operation plan to address TMF aspects of the waterworks' business processes that need improvement.
6. The submission of plans, specifications, final design criteria, and other supporting design data. This submission may include manufacturers equipment data sheets, drawings, and specifications when the specific materials or equipment to be used in the project have been preselected by the owner with the engineer's concurrence.
B. Well site inspection. When, upon inspection by the department, one or more well locations are found suitable for well sites, tentative approval in writing shall be furnished to the owner authorizing the drilling of wells, the exact location where each well is to be drilled, and the well construction requirements. This tentative approval will become void after a 12-month period.
C. Plans for waterworks construction shall provide the following information, where applicable:
1. A general layout that includes:
a. Suitable title, to include name of waterworks;
b. Name of owner of waterworks;
c. Area or institution to be served;
d. Scale;
e. North Point;
f. Datum used;
g. Date, address, and name of owner's engineer;
h. Location and size of existing distribution system; and
i. Location and nature of existing waterworks structures and appurtenances affecting the proposed construction noted on one sheet.
2. Detailed plans that include, where applicable:
a. Stream crossings, providing profiles with elevations of the stream bed and the normal water level;
b. Profiles having a horizontal scale of not more than 100 feet to the inch and a vertical scale of not more than 10 feet to the inch, with both scales clearly indicated;
c. Location and size of property to be used for groundwater development with respect to known references such as street intersections or section lines;
d. Topography and arrangement of present or planned wells or structures, with contour intervals not greater than two feet;
e. Elevation of highest known flood, floor of structure, upper terminal of protective casing, and outside surrounding grade, using United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, United States Geological Survey, or equivalent elevations where applicable as a reference;
f. A completed Uniform Water Well Completion Report, Form GW-2, and schematic drawings of well construction, showing diameter and depth of drill holes, casing and liner diameters and depths, grouting depths, elevations and designation of geological formation, water levels, and other details to describe the proposed well completely;
g. If not previously submitted in the preliminary engineering report (PER): the location of all potential sources of pollution within 1,000 feet of drilled wells, 100 feet of treated water storage facilities, five miles upstream from surface water intakes, and the entire drainage area of springs;
h. Size, length, identity, and location of sewers, drains, distribution systems, and water treatment plant structures;
i. Schematic flow diagrams and hydraulic profiles showing the flow through various water treatment plant units;
j. Piping in sufficient detail to show flow through the water treatment plant, including waste lines;
k. Location of all chemical feeding equipment and points of chemical application;
l. All appurtenances, specific structures, equipment, water treatment plant waste disposal units, and point of discharge having any relationship to the plans for distribution system or waterworks structures;
m. Location of sanitary or other facilities such as lavatories, showers, toilets, and lockers;
n. Location, dimensions, and elevations of all proposed water treatment plant facilities; and
o. Adequate description of all features not otherwise covered by the specifications.
D. Specifications for waterworks construction improvements shall provide the following information, where applicable:
1. A program for keeping existing waterworks facilities in operation during construction of additional facilities so as to minimize interruption of service;
2. The laboratory facilities and equipment, as well as sampling taps and their locations;
3. The number and design of treatment process components;
4. The materials or proprietary equipment for sanitary or other facilities including any necessary backflow or backsiphonage backflow protection;
5. Workmanship; and
6. Other equipment.
E. Design criteria. A summary of complete design criteria shall be submitted for the proposed project, containing but not limited to the following information, where applicable:
1. Source water capacity;
2. Estimated water consumption, including average day, maximum day, and peak hour flows;
3. Number and type of proposed services;
4. Firefighting requirements;
5. Basin capacities;
6. Retention times;
7. Unit loadings;
8. Filter area and proposed filtration rate;
9. Backwash rate; and
10. Feeder capacities and ranges.
F. For community waterworks, a copy of the duly recorded (i) plat plan of the well lot or subdivision plan showing the well lot and (ii) dedication document stating that the well lot shall be used only for waterworks appurtenances as long as the lot is utilized as part of a waterworks.
G. For noncommunity waterworks, the department may on a case-by-case basis require a copy of a duly recorded plat plan of a well lot and a dedication document stating that the well lot shall be used only for waterworks appurtenances as long as the lot is utilized as part of a waterworks. In imposing such a requirement, the department shall take into consideration public health protection and the waterworks operations, treatment processes, and appurtenances.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.15 § 1.21, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-210. Requirements for the submission of engineering data.
A. In accordance with Chapter 4 (§ 54.1-400 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia, all drawings, specifications, and engineer's reports submitted for approval shall be prepared by or under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer qualified to practice in Virginia, unless submitted under § 54.1-408 of the Code of Virginia for practice of land surveying in subdivisions.
B. The quantity, format, and method of submission shall meet the evaluation needs of the department and shall be consistent with the requirements in Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia.
C. All reports, plans, and specifications shall be submitted to the department at least 60 days before the date upon which action by the department or commissioner is desired.
D. If the procedures for obtaining a construction permit in 12VAC5-590-200 are not complied with or if plans and specifications are found to be incomplete or inadequate for evaluation, then the plans and specifications will be returned to the submitting party. If revisions to the plans or specifications or both are necessitated, the owner and engineer who prepared them will be notified in writing of the necessary revisions. Revised plans, specifications, or both constitute a resubmission. Every effort will be made to complete the evaluation of these revisions promptly.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.16 § 1.22, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-220. Compliance with the Manual of Practice.
A. The design guidelines set forth in Part III Manual of Practice for Waterworks Design (12VAC5-590-640 et seq.) of this chapter (Manual of Practice) specify general criteria for the design and construction of waterworks. The commissioner may impose standards or requirements that are more stringent than those contained in the Manual of Practice when required to meet drinking water quality standards. Any special standards or requirements with a federal mandate shall take precedence over the criteria in the Manual of Practice and will be items that warrant careful consideration at the preliminary engineering conference, referenced in 12VAC5-590-200.
B. Designs submitted for waterworks must demonstrate that the waterworks will adequately safeguard public health. Submissions that are in substantial compliance with the Manual of Practice and any additional requirements of the commissioner, as noted in subsection A of this section, will be approved. Justification for a design may be required for those portions of the submitted design that differ from the criteria set forth in the Manual of Practice and any established by the commissioner. Deviations from mandatory criteria contained in the Manual of Practice shall be identified and justified. For each deviation, the commissioner may issue a design exception or require compliance with the criteria.
C. Final, complete, and detailed plans and specifications submitted in accordance with the provisions of 12VAC5-590-200 and 12VAC5-590-210 will be evaluated by the department as soon as practicable upon receipt. Plans and specifications will be approved if they demonstrate substantial compliance with the design criteria set forth in the Manual of Practice and any established by the commissioner and if the waterworks, as constructed or modified, will be able to function in compliance with Part II (12VAC5-590-340 et seq.) of this chapter.
D. Compliance with the Manual of Practice for transient noncommunity waterworks is allowed the following exceptions as long as the conditions in subsection E of this section are satisfied:
1. The design of a transient noncommunity waterworks is not required to satisfy the professional engineer licensure requirement of 12VAC5-590-210 under the following conditions:
a. The waterworks shall serve no more than 100 persons per day.
b. The waterworks shall consist only of one supply of source water, a pressure tank no greater than 250 gallon capacity, and a single service connection.
c. The single service connection shall be a building or structure of less than 5,000 square feet total floor space. The determination of square footage shall be calculated using the outside perimeter of the building or structure.
2. Although the owner of a transient noncommunity waterworks is required to use a water well systems provider certified by DPOR for drilling wells, the remainder of the waterworks facility construction at a transient noncommunity waterworks may be performed by a master plumber or a certified water well systems provider, as defined in § 54.1-1129.1 of the Code of Virginia.
E. The conditions for exceptions to the Manual of Practice for transient noncommunity waterworks specified in subsection D of this section are as follows:
1. The owner shall submit a signed and dated statement attached to the permit application, certifying that subsection D of this section will be satisfied.
2. The owner shall submit information related to the design, construction, and materials used as required by the department.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.17 § 1.23, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-230. Issuance of the construction permit.
A. Upon approval of the plans and specifications, the commissioner will issue a permit to the owner to construct or modify the waterworks in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
B. The construction permit shall be valid for a period of five years. If construction has not begun within five years but were to proceed in the future, then the owner shall reapply for a new construction permit.
C. The construction permit may include conditions for securing equipment certifications and performance validations.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.18 § 1.24, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-240. Revisions of approved plans.
A. Any deviations from the approved plans and specifications affecting capacity, hydraulic conditions, operating units, the functioning of water treatment processes, or the quality of water to be delivered must be approved by the department before any of these deviations are implemented.
B. Revised plans and specifications shall be submitted in time to allow the evaluation and approval of these plans or specifications before any construction work that will be affected by these changes may begin.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.19 § 1.25, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-250. Statement required upon completion of construction.
A. Upon completion of the construction or modification of the waterworks, the owner shall submit to the department a statement signed by a licensed professional engineer stating that the construction work was completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, revised only in accordance with the provisions of 12VAC5-590-240. This statement is called a statement of completion of construction and shall be based upon inspections of the waterworks during and after construction or modifications. These inspections are to be adequate to ensure the truth of the statement of completion of construction.
B. The project documents may require a performance validation report to confirm the design, performance criteria, and appropriate emergency procedures for specific processes and equipment. The project documents may also require operator training. If these requirements are included in the project documents, then the statement of completion of construction shall also include the performance validation report and a certification of successful operator training, as applicable.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.20 § 1.26, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-260. Issuance of the operation permit.
A. Upon receipt of the statement of completion of construction, receipt of all required certifications and test results, inspection by the department to ensure that the project has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the approved design documents, and verification that bacteriological test results comply with the requirements set forth in Part II of this chapter, as appropriate, the commissioner will issue an operation permit.
B. The owner shall not operate a waterworks without first having obtained an operation permit except as provided in 12VAC5-590-290.
C. The commissioner shall establish the type (community waterworks, NTNC, or TNC), classification, and permitted capacity of the waterworks and specify these on the operation permit. Conditions may be included with the permit for operator, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.21 § 1.27, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-270. Start-up testing and inspections.
A. Before placing a new or modified waterworks into operation following construction, the owner shall test the water at the entry point to the distribution system in a manner acceptable to the department. The owner shall notify the department of the time and place of the tests. The owner shall send the results of the tests to the department.
B. The commissioner and department have a right to inspect any waterworks and to be present for any testing in accordance with Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.22 § 1.28, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-280. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.23 § 1.29, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-290. Issuance of a temporary operation permit.
A. Water treatment methods, processes, and equipment that are not covered by the design criteria of Part III (12VAC5-590-640 et seq.) of this chapter, and that in principle or application are new or nonconventional, are subject to a temporary permit application procedure instead of that set forth in 12VAC5-590-200. A temporary permit may be issued only after detailed evaluation of all engineering data and after a period of extensive monitoring of the water treatment plant performance.
B. The department encourages the development of any new or nonconventional methods, processes, and equipment that by virtue of treatability studies appear to have application for water treatment. However, these new or nonconventional developments shall have been thoroughly tested in a full-scale or representative pilot plant installation before these methods, processes, and equipment are approved and an operation permit issued. The results shall be submitted to the department. The testing required on new or nonconventional developments shall generally follow these guidelines:
1. All procedures used in validating the process shall be conducted under the supervision of (i) a licensed professional engineer experienced in the field of environmental engineering, (ii) the owner's engineering staff, or (iii) a testing firm acceptable to the department;
2. Samples shall be collected and analyzed in a manner that shall demonstrate water treatment plant effectiveness and efficiency under adverse conditions and over extended periods of time in the area of the proposed installation;
3. The data shall be from the continuous operation of a full-scale or pilot plant treating the type of water to be handled;
4. Automatic indicating, recording, and totalizing equipment shall be provided, and the total flow shall be measured and recorded daily;
5. If the source water receives upstream discharges of treated industrial wastes or treated wastewater, then automatic indicating and recording equipment shall be provided for continuously monitoring the pH of the source and finished water in addition to the chlorine residual of the finished water;
6. The minimum sampling and analysis program will be established by the department in accordance with the process under investigation; and
7. All analyses shall utilize methods that are consistent with 12VAC5-590-440.
C. Detailed plans shall be submitted where possible showing how, in case of nonacceptance, the water treatment plant or water treatment methods, processes, and equipment will be converted to, or replaced with, a proven process. Also, financial resources must be assured to make the conversion (for example, funds placed in escrow or a bond posted.
D. After evaluation of the plans and testing data, the commissioner will issue a construction permit if the performance data verifies that the method, process, or equipment may efficiently produce water in accordance with the design specifications and the operation standards of Part II (12VAC5-590-340 et seq.) of this chapter.
E. Upon completion of construction or modification, a temporary permit for a definite period of time will be issued for the operation of the new or nonconventional methods, processes, and equipment. Not more than one temporary permit will be granted for a similar installation during the evaluation period. The temporary operation permit shall require that:
1. The evaluation period shall be a minimum of 12 months and no longer than 18 months; and
2. The holder of a temporary operation permit shall submit reports on operation during the evaluation period as required by the department. The reports shall be prepared by (i) a licensed professional engineer experienced in the field of environmental engineering, (ii) the owner's operating or engineering staff, or (iii) a testing organization.
F. The commissioner may issue a temporary operation permit if the waterworks is not in compliance with this chapter and public health will not be jeopardized. The temporary permit may be issued for a period of time and subject to conditions as the commissioner may deem appropriate for the owner to achieve compliance with this chapter.
1. The commissioner may require, as a condition to a temporary operation permit, the submission of a waterworks business operation plan by new waterworks and existing waterworks that have demonstrated limited TMF capabilities or significant noncompliance with this chapter.
2. The waterworks business operation plan shall satisfy the requirements of 12VAC5-590-200 A 5.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.24 § 1.30, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-300. Issuance of a general permit for construction of distribution mains.
A. Instead of obtaining a permit for each distribution main project, an owner may elect to obtain a general permit for the construction of distribution mains. These general permits are issued by the commissioner, but all requests for a general permit are directed initially to the department.
B. The following requirements shall be satisfied for the issuance of a general permit:
1. The owner shall develop, adopt, and have the department's approval of general specifications and plan details covering distribution main design and construction. The general specifications shall be at least as stringent as the requirements contained in this chapter.
2. The owner shall enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the department. The department will outline the waterworks-specific requirements, and the owner's method of compliance with the requirements. The waterworks-specific requirements include the following:
a. The maximum size of pipe to be covered by the general permit;
b. The means for modifying the department's approved general specifications and plan details;
c. The maintenance of engineering capabilities satisfactory to the department, either on-staff or through contractual arrangements;
d. The preparation of engineering plans and specifications for individual projects;
e. The maintenance of up-to-date distribution system maps and other appropriate records; and
f. The submission by the owner to the department of appropriate reports, including an annual report and summary, concerning all projects constructed under the terms of the MOU and information concerning changes to the distribution system.
C. Once the general specifications are approved and the MOU is agreed to by the department, the commissioner will issue a general permit for distribution mains with the MOU attached.
D. The general permit allows for the construction of distribution mains. The duration for the general permit is five years.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.25 § 1.31, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-310. Amendment or reissuance of operation permits.
A. The commissioner may amend or reissue an operation permit (i) when there is a change in the manner of storage, treatment, or supply of source water at the permitted location; (ii) when the existing permit is no longer valid; (iii) for any other cause incident to the protection of the public health; or (iv) for the supplying of potable water. A notice may be required to be given to the owner, and if one is required, a hearing held in accordance with the provisions of 12VAC5-590-115.
B. The commissioner may require submission of a waterworks business operation plan as a condition to amend or reissue an operation permit. The waterworks business operation plan shall satisfy the requirements of 12VAC5-590-200 A 5.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.26 § 1.32, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-320. Revocation of an operation permit.
A. The commissioner may revoke an operation permit in accordance with the APA. Reasons for revocation include:
1. The waterworks can no longer be depended upon to furnish potable water;
2. The capacity of the waterworks is inadequate for the purpose of furnishing potable water;
3. The owner has failed to abide by an order issued by the commissioner;
4. The owner has abandoned the waterworks and discontinued supplying potable water; or
5. The owner has failed to pay the waterworks operation fee required by § 32.1-171.1 of the Code of Virginia.
B. Procedure for revocation of operation permit. When revoking an operation permit in accordance with subsection A of this section, the commissioner shall:
1. Send a written notice of intent to revoke by certified mail to the last known address of the owner. The notice shall state the reasons for the proposed revocation of the operation permit, the authority under which the commissioner proposes to act, and offer the opportunity for an administrative proceeding in accordance with 12VAC5-590-115.
2. Provide at least 30 days advance notice of the administrative proceeding.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.27 § 1.33, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.
12VAC5-590-330. Monitoring, records, and reporting.
A. The commissioner or department may require the owner to install, use, and maintain monitoring equipment for the control and testing of water flowing through the water treatment plant to:
1. Identify and determine the cause of operational problems;
2. Determine the necessary corrective actions for these problems;
3. Ensure compliance with Part II of this chapter; and
4. Prepare the finished water for entry into the distribution system.
B. Sampling and testing shall be by methods approved by the department. Test results shall be recorded, compiled, and reported to the department in an acceptable manner and format.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR355-18-003.28 § 1.34, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 17, eff. June 23, 1993; Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.