Part V. Operation and Maintenance Requirements
12VAC5-635-320. Operator requirements; frequency of inspection.
A. The owner of a rainwater harvesting system shall ensure that the rainwater harvesting system is inspected by an operator in accordance with Table 5.
TABLE 5 Minimum operator visit frequency for rainwater harvesting systems | ||
End Use Tier | Initial Inspection | Regular Inspection Schedule |
1 | Prior to the system entering service | As needed |
2, 3 | Prior to the system entering service | Every 12 months while structure is occupied. If system only provides water for outdoor use, then as needed |
4 (single service connection) | Condition of issuance of operation permit | Every 180 calendar days while structure is occupied* |
4 (multiple service connections) | Condition of issuance of operation permit | Every 90 calendar days while any connection serves an occupied structure* |
*If a structure is vacant longer than the regular inspection cycle in Table 5, an operator shall inspect the rainwater harvesting system prior to the structure becoming reoccupied. | ||
B. The operator shall collect water quality samples from a rainwater harvesting system pursuant to 12VAC5-635-300 during the initial and regular inspections by the operator.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
12VAC5-635-330. Operation and maintenance; operator's responsibility.
A. The operator of the rainwater harvesting system shall be certified as a designer, installer, or inspector pursuant to 12VAC5-635-270 C. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude the owner from being an operator if they are appropriately certified.
B. When the operator performs an inspection of the rainwater harvesting system, the operator shall perform the assessments required by this chapter through visual or other observations and through laboratory or other tests as required and may use additional observation methods or tests that the operator deems appropriate.
C. The operator shall maintain a written operational record for each rainwater harvesting system for which the operator is responsible that contains, at minimum, the following items:
1. Results of testing and sampling;
2. Information regarding reportable incidents, including the corrective action required and taken;
3. Maintenance, corrective actions, and repair activities that are performed for purposes other than a reportable incident; and
4. Recommendations for repair and replacement of system components.
D. If the owner of a rainwater harvesting system is not the operator, the operator shall provide an updated copy of the written operational record to the owner each time it is updated and shall document the dates the copies are given to the owner in the written operational record. The operator shall also make an accurate, up-to-date copy of the written operational record available to the department upon request.
E. When performing activities pursuant to an inspection required by this chapter, the operator is responsible for the entire rainwater harvesting system, including treatment components, collection area components, and associated piping.
F. The operator shall follow the procedures and instructions provided in the approved operation and maintenance manual for the rainwater harvesting system.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
12VAC5-635-340. Operation and maintenance; owner's responsibilities.
The owner shall:
1. Ensure the rainwater harvesting system is operated and maintained by a qualified operator;
2. Ensure that the operator performs the required duties;
3. Maintain a copy of the written operational record provided by the operator on the property where the rainwater harvesting system is located, make the written operational record available to the department upon request, and make a reasonable effort to transfer the written operational record to the subsequent owner;
4. Follow the approved operation and maintenance manual and keep a copy of the operation and maintenance manual for the rainwater harvesting system on the property where the system is located, make the operation and maintenance manual available to the department upon request, and make a reasonable effort to transfer the operation and maintenance manual to the subsequent owner;
5. Comply with applicable rainwater harvesting system requirements contained in this chapter; and
6. If applicable, inform users of the system of reportable incidents.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
12VAC5-635-350. Operation and maintenance manual.
A. The owner and operator shall maintain and operate a rainwater harvesting system in accordance with the approved operation and maintenance manual.
B. The manual shall be easily understandable to the owner and operator and include, at minimum, the following items:
1. Basic identifying information for the rainwater harvesting system, including the location and intended end use;
2. Basic information regarding the rainwater harvesting system design, including treatment unit capacity, a list of components in the system, a schematic of the system, sampling locations, and contact information for replacement parts for each unit;
3. A list of control functions and how to use them;
4. Operation, maintenance, sampling, inspection, and reporting schedules for the rainwater harvesting system;
5. The design limits of the rainwater harvesting system design and how to operate the system within those design limits;
6. Technical information, including:
a. Catchment area dimensions;
b. Roofing materials and sealants;
c. Vertical conveyance materials;
d. Water storage unit information including volume, size dimensions, whether the unit is covered or uncovered, whether the unit is above or below ground, construction materials, and location;
e. Prefiltration information, including type of prefiltration used, quantity, filtration particle size, and location;
f. Pump system information including the brand, make, model, capacity and heads, and horsepower;
g. Disinfection system information, including the brand, make, model, parts numbers, date of manufacture, and date of installation for each component;
h. Additional manufacturer's instructions, such as schematics and diagrams provided with components of the rainwater harvesting system; and
i. Water quality verification procedures, frequency, parameters, sampling locations, records policies and procedures, and a sample written operational record entry form;
7. Inspection and maintenance procedures, to include (i) the procedures for inspecting and cleaning water storage tanks and piping and (ii) periodic cross-connection inspection; and
8. Other information deemed necessary or appropriate by the designer.
C. The operation and maintenance manual for a Tier 4 rainwater harvesting system shall also contain the following:
1. A list of water quality monitoring requirements, including sample locations, tests to be performed, testing methods, and the applicable water quality standard;
2. Provisions for the determination of temporary or emergency alternate water supply, the conditions under which an alternate water supply is required, the procedures for ensuring continuity of water supply, when bottled water should be used, and the conditions that require boil water practices for cooking and drinking;
3. Criteria for ensuring the continuity of water supply, to include (i) a low capacity alarm for water storage; (ii) bypass protocol, including backflow and cross-connection prevention; and (iii) applicable reporting criteria;
4. Provisions for documenting the easement and land records requirements of this chapter; and
5. Identification of what incidents qualify as a reportable incident and the appropriate response, including:
a. An alarm event lasting more than 24 hours;
b. An alarm event that reoccurs following corrective action;
c. Failure to achieve one or more performance requirements;
d. Failure to achieve one or more quality standards;
e. Replacement of a major component of the system, including electric and electronic components; and
f. Actual or suspected contamination.
D. If the operation and maintenance manual includes requirements for operation, maintenance, sampling, or inspection schedules that exceed the minimum requirements of this chapter, the designer shall determine the additional requirements based on the proposed end use of the harvested rainwater, design flow and unit treatment processes of the rainwater harvesting system, and other factors.
E. The operation and maintenance manual shall include regional, local, and site-specific water concerns.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
12VAC5-635-360. Inspection requirements.
A. During an inspection, the operator shall review and evaluate the operation of the rainwater harvesting system, perform routine maintenance, make adjustments, and replace worn or dysfunctional components with functionally equivalent parts such that the system can reasonably be expected to return to normal operation.
B. If a Tier 4 rainwater harvesting system is not functioning as designed or in accordance with the performance requirements of this chapter and, in the operator's professional judgment, cannot be reasonably expected to return to normal operation through routine operation and maintenance, the operator shall report immediately to the owner the remediation efforts necessary to return the rainwater harvesting system to normal operation, including recommendation for temporary or emergency alternate water supply, if the system does not provide water acceptable for human consumption.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.
12VAC5-635-370. Inspection reports.
A. For an inspection conducted for a rainwater harvesting system intended for Tier 2 or 3 end use, the operator shall document the observations and findings of the inspection and provide documentation to the department if requested by the department.
B. For an inspection conducted for a Tier 4 rainwater harvesting system, the operator shall file an inspection report with the local health department in the locality where the rainwater harvesting system is located. The report shall be filed no later than 45 calendar days following the date on which the inspection occurred and shall include the following minimum elements:
1. The name and certification number of the operator;
2. The date and time of the inspection;
3. The purpose of the inspection, such as required inspection, follow-up, or reportable incident;
4. A summary stating:
a. Whether the rainwater harvesting system is functioning as designed and in accordance with the performance requirements of this chapter;
b. Whether the operator believes the rainwater harvesting system will return to normal operation after providing maintenance; or
c. If the rainwater harvesting system is not functioning as designed or in accordance with the performance requirements of this chapter, (i) the actions required to return the rainwater harvesting system to normal operation, including provisions for a temporary alternate water supply, if applicable; and (ii) that the owner has been advised that failure to take action to return the system to normal operation represents a risk to public health and may subject the owner to enforcement action from the department;
5. Maintenance performed or adjustments made, including parts replaced;
6. The results of field measurements, water quality sampling, and observations;
7. The name of the laboratory that analyzed samples; and
8. A statement certifying the date the operator provided a written copy of the report to the owner.
C. If actions are required by the owner to return a Tier 4 rainwater harvesting system to normal operation or provide a temporary alternate water supply or the operator has identified that failure to repair the rainwater harvesting system may result in a hazard to public health or the environment, the operator shall file the report summary with the local health department within 24 hours of the inspection.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-248.2 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 5, eff. November 20, 2024.