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TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 290PUBLIC DRINKING WATER
SUBCHAPTER FDRINKING WATER STANDARDS GOVERNING DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
RULE §290.116Groundwater Corrective Actions and Treatment Techniques

      (i) The groundwater system must maintain the executive director-approved minimum specified disinfectant residual every day the groundwater system serves water from the specified groundwater source to the public. If there is a failure in the continuous monitoring equipment, the groundwater system must conduct grab sampling every four hours until the continuous monitoring equipment is returned to service.

      (ii) The system must resume continuous residual disinfectant monitoring within 14 days.

    (B) Groundwater systems serving a population of 3,300 or fewer must monitor the disinfectant residual in accordance with the analytical methods specified in 40 CFR §141.74(a)(2) in each disinfection zone at least once each day that water from the specified groundwater source is served to the public during either a time when peak hourly raw water flow rates are occurring or at another time specified by the executive director. The system must record and maintain the disinfectant residual every day the system serves water from the groundwater source to the public. The system must collect a daily grab sample during the hour of peak flow or at another time specified by the executive director. If any daily grab sample measurement falls below the executive director-approved minimum specified disinfectant residual, the groundwater system must collect follow-up samples every four hours until the residual disinfectant concentration is restored to the executive director-approved level. Alternatively, a groundwater system that serves 3,300 or fewer people may monitor the residual disinfectant concentration continuously and meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.

    (C) Disinfection contact time will be based on tracer study data or a theoretical analysis submitted by the system owner or their designated agent and approved by the executive director.

    (D) Groundwater treatment plants that fail to demonstrate an appropriate level of treatment must repeat these tests at four-hour or shorter intervals until compliance has been reestablished.

  (2) Monitoring and operating requirements for commission-approved alternative treatment, including ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection facilities, membrane systems, and other methods that can obtain 4-log inactivation or removal of viruses.

    (A) Public water systems shall monitor the UV intensity as measured by a UV sensor, lamp status, the flow rate through the unit, and other parameters prescribed by the executive director as specified in §290.42(g)(5) of this title (relating to Water Treatment) to ensure that the units are operating within validated conditions.

    (B) Public water systems shall monitor and record membrane system performance in accordance with executive director specified requirements.

  (3) Analytical requirements. All monitoring required by this section must be conducted at a facility approved by the executive director and using methods that conform to the requirements of §290.119 of this title (relating to Analytical Procedures).

    (A) The pH analysis must be conducted using a pH meter with a minimum accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 pH units.

    (B) The temperature of the water must be measured using a thermometer or thermocouple with a minimum accuracy of plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.

    (C) The free chlorine or chloramine residual (measured as total chlorine) must be measured to a minimum accuracy of plus or minus 0.1 milligrams per liter (mg/L). Color comparators may be used for distribution system samples only. When used, a color comparator must have current reagents, an unfaded and clear color comparator, a sample cell that is not discolored or stained, and must be properly stored in a cool, dark location where it is not subjected to conditions that would result in staining. The color comparator must be used in the correct range. If a sample reads at the top of the range, the sample must be diluted with chlorine-free water, then a reading taken and the resulting residual calculated.

    (D) The chlorine dioxide residual must be measured to a minimum accuracy of plus or minus 0.05 mg/L using one of the following methods:

      (i) Amperometric titrator with platinum-platinum electrodes; or

      (ii) Lissamine Green B.

    (E) The ozone residual must be measured to a minimum accuracy of plus or minus 0.05 mg/L using an indigo method that uses a colorimeter or spectrophotometer.

    (F) Membrane system integrity monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with executive director specified requirements.

  (4) Recordkeeping requirements for microbial inactivation and removal treatment. Groundwater systems, including wholesale, and consecutive systems, regulated under this subsection must comply with §290.46 of this title (relating to Minimum Acceptable Operating Practices for Public Drinking Water Systems).

(d) Reporting requirements. Groundwater systems conducting 4-log treatment instead of conducting raw groundwater source monitoring or required corrective action in response to a fecal indicator positive source sample, or a significant deficiency, must report to the executive director in accordance with this subsection.

  (1) A groundwater system required to conduct compliance monitoring for chemical disinfectants must complete a Groundwater Treatment Monthly Operating Report (commission Form 20362) for groundwater disinfection facilities monthly. Groundwater systems must maintain the reports on site and make them available to the executive director upon request.

  (2) A groundwater system must provide written notification to the executive director that it is not required to meet the raw groundwater source monitoring requirements under §290.109(d)(4) of this title because it provides at least 4-log treatment of viruses for a specified groundwater source and must begin compliance monitoring in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. The notification must include engineering, operational, and other information required by the executive director to evaluate the submission.

  (3) A groundwater system required to complete corrective action under subsection (b) of this section must notify the executive director within 30 days of completing the corrective action.

  (4) If a groundwater system is subject to the triggered source monitoring requirements of §290.109(d)(4)(A) of this title and does not conduct source monitoring, the system must provide written documentation that it was providing 4-log treatment of viruses for the specified groundwater source or that it met the criteria set out in §290.109(d)(4)(D) of this title within 30 days of the positive distribution coliform sample.

  (5) A groundwater system conducting compliance monitoring under subsection (a) of this section must notify the executive director any time the system fails to meet any executive director-specified requirements (including, but not limited to, minimum residual disinfectant concentration, and alternative treatment operating criteria) if the operation in accordance with the criteria or requirements is not restored within four hours. The system must notify the executive director as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the next business day.

  (6) A groundwater system required to conduct integrity monitoring for membrane systems shall complete the executive director specified reports. The reports shall be maintained in accordance with executive director specified requirements.

(e) Compliance determination. In accordance with this subsection, the executive director shall determine compliance for groundwater systems required to conduct corrective action within 120 days, or pursuant to a groundwater corrective action plan.

  (1) A groundwater system is in violation of the treatment technique requirement if it does not complete corrective action in accordance with the executive director-approved corrective action plan or any interim measures required by the executive director.

  (2) A groundwater system is in violation of the treatment technique requirement if it is not in compliance with the executive director-approved corrective action plan and schedule.

  (3) A groundwater system subject to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section that fails to maintain at least 4-log treatment of viruses is in violation of the treatment technique requirement if the failure is not corrected within four hours. The groundwater system must notify the executive director as soon as possible but no later than the next business day if there is a failure in maintaining the 4-log treatment for more than four hours.

  (4) A groundwater system that fails to conduct the disinfectant or membrane system integrity monitoring required under subsection (c) of this section commits a monitoring violation.

  (5) A groundwater system that fails to report the results of the disinfectant or membrane system integrity monitoring required under subsection (c) of this section commits a reporting violation.

Cont'd...

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