<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>
TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 290PUBLIC DRINKING WATER
SUBCHAPTER DRULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
RULE §290.46Minimum Acceptable Operating Practices for Public Drinking Water Systems

      (ii) The calibration of benchtop pH meters shall be checked with at least one buffer each time a series of samples is run, and if necessary, recalibrated according to manufacturers specifications.

      (iii) On-line pH meters shall be calibrated according to manufacturer specifications at least once every 30 days.

      (iv) The calibration of on-line pH meters shall be checked at least once each week with a primary standard or by comparing the results from the on-line unit with the results from a properly calibrated benchtop unit. If necessary, the on-line unit shall be recalibrated with primary standards.

    (B) Turbidimeters shall be properly calibrated.

      (i) Benchtop turbidimeters shall be calibrated with primary standards at least once every 90 days. Each time the turbidimeter is calibrated with primary standards, the secondary standards shall be restandardized.

      (ii) The calibration of benchtop turbidimeters shall be checked with secondary standards each time a series of samples is tested, and if necessary, recalibrated with primary standards.

      (iii) On-line turbidimeters shall be calibrated with primary standards at least once every 90 days.

      (iv) The calibration of on-line turbidimeters shall be checked at least once each week with a primary standard, a secondary standard, or the manufacturer's proprietary calibration confirmation device or by comparing the results from the on-line unit with the results from a properly calibrated benchtop unit. If necessary, the on-line unit shall be recalibrated with primary standards.

    (C) Chemical disinfectant residual analyzers shall be properly calibrated.

      (i) The accuracy of manual disinfectant residual analyzers shall be verified at least once every 30 days using chlorine solutions of known concentrations.

      (ii) Continuous disinfectant residual analyzers shall be calibrated at least once every 90 days using chlorine solutions of known concentrations.

      (iii) The calibration of continuous disinfectant residual analyzers shall be checked at least once each month with a chlorine solution of known concentration or by comparing the results from the on-line analyzer with the result of approved benchtop amperometric, spectrophotometric, or titration method.

    (D) Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection analyzers shall be properly calibrated.

      (i) The accuracy of duty UV sensors shall be verified with a reference UV sensor monthly, according to the UV sensor manufacturer.

      (ii) The reference UV sensor shall be calibrated by the UV sensor manufacturer on a yearly basis, or sooner if needed.

      (iii) If used, the Ultraviolet Transmittance (UVT) analyzer shall be calibrated weekly according to the UVT analyzer manufacturer specifications.

    (E) Systems must verify the performance of direct integrity testing equipment in a manner and schedule approved by the executive director.

(t) System ownership. All community water systems shall post a legible sign at each of its production, treatment, and storage facilities. The sign shall be located in plain view of the public and shall provide the name of the water supply and an emergency telephone number where a responsible official can be contacted.

(u) Abandoned wells. Abandoned public water supply wells owned by the system must be plugged with cement according to 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 76 (relating to Water Well Drillers and Water Well Pump Installers). Wells that are not in use and are non-deteriorated as defined in those rules must be tested every five years or as required by the executive director to prove that they are in a non-deteriorated condition. The test results shall be sent to the executive director for review and approval. Deteriorated wells must be either plugged with cement or repaired to a non-deteriorated condition.

(v) Electrical wiring. All water system electrical wiring must be securely installed in compliance with a local or national electrical code.

(w) Security. All systems shall maintain internal procedures to notify the executive director by a toll-free reporting phone number immediately of the following events, if the event may negatively impact the production or delivery of safe and adequate drinking water:

  (1) an unusual or unexplained unauthorized entry at property of the public water system;

  (2) an act of terrorism against the public water system;

  (3) an unauthorized attempt to probe for or gain access to proprietary information that supports the key activities of the public water system;

  (4) a theft of property that supports the key activities of the public water system; or

  (5) a natural disaster, accident, or act that results in damage to the public water system.


Source Note: The provisions of this §290.46 adopted to be effective September 13, 2000, 25 TexReg 8880; amended to be effective May 16, 2002, 27 TexReg 4127; amended to be effective February 19, 2004, 29 TexReg 1373; amended to be effective January 9, 2008, 33 TexReg 198

Previous Page

Link to Texas Secretary of State Home Page | link to Texas Register home page | link to Texas Administrative Code home page | link to Open Meetings home page