| criteria via a copy of the laboratory analysis request form; where
residents collected the sample; certification that the water system
informed the resident of proper sampling procedures; the analytical
results for lead and copper concentrations at each tap sample site;
and designation of any substitute site not used in previous monitoring
periods.
(G) A public water system shall maintain records relating
to special studies and pilot projects, special monitoring, and other
system-specific matters as directed by the executive director.
(4) Public water systems shall submit routine reports
and any additional documentation that the executive director may require
to determine compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(A) The reports must be submitted to the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality, Water Supply Division, MC 155, P.O. Box
13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 by the tenth day of the month following
the end of the reporting period.
(B) The reports must contain all the information required
by the drinking water standards and the results of any special monitoring
tests which have been required.
(C) The reports must be completed in ink, typed, or
computer-printed and must be signed by the licensed water works operator.
(5) All public water systems that are affected utilities
must maintain the following records for as long as they are applicable
to the system:
(A) An emergency preparedness plan approved by the
executive director and a copy of the approval letter.
(B) All required operating and maintenance records
for auxiliary power equipment, including periodic testing of the auxiliary
power equipment under load and any associated automatic switch over
equipment.
(C) Copies of the manufacturer's specifications for
all generators that are part of the approved emergency preparedness
plan.
(g) Disinfection of new or repaired facilities. Disinfection
by or under the direction of water system personnel must be performed
when repairs are made to existing facilities and before new facilities
are placed into service. Disinfection must be performed in accordance
with American Water Works Association (AWWA) requirements and water
samples must be submitted to a laboratory approved by the executive
director. The sample results must indicate that the facility is free
of microbiological contamination before it is placed into service.
When it is necessary to return repaired mains to service as rapidly
as possible, doses may be increased to 500 mg/L and the contact time
reduced to 1/2 hour.
(h) Calcium hypochlorite. A supply of calcium hypochlorite
disinfectant shall be kept on hand for use when making repairs, setting
meters, and disinfecting new mains prior to placing them in service.
(i) Plumbing ordinance. Public water systems must adopt
an adequate plumbing ordinance, regulations, or service agreement
with provisions for proper enforcement to insure that neither cross-connections
nor other unacceptable plumbing practices are permitted (See §290.47(b)
of this title (relating to Appendices)). Should sanitary control of
the distribution system not reside with the purveyor, the entity retaining
sanitary control shall be responsible for establishing and enforcing
adequate regulations in this regard. The use of pipes and pipe fittings
that contain more than 0.25% lead or solders and flux that contain
more than 0.2% lead is prohibited for installation or repair of any
public water supply and for installation or repair of any plumbing
in a residential or nonresidential facility providing water for human
consumption and connected to a public drinking water supply system.
This requirement may be waived for lead joints that are necessary
for repairs to cast iron pipe.
(j) Customer service inspections. A customer service
inspection certificate shall be completed prior to providing continuous
water service to new construction, on any existing service either
when the water purveyor has reason to believe that cross-connections
or other potential contaminant hazards exist, or after any material
improvement, correction, or addition to the private water distribution
facilities. Any customer service inspection certificate form which
varies from the format found in commission Form 20699 must be approved
by the executive director prior to being placed in use.
(1) Individuals with the following credentials shall
be recognized as capable of conducting a customer service inspection
certification.
(A) Plumbing Inspectors and Water Supply Protection
Specialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
(TSBPE).
(B) Customer service inspectors who have completed
a commission-approved course, passed an examination administered by
the executive director, and hold current professional license as a
customer service inspector.
(2) As potential contaminant hazards are discovered,
they shall be promptly eliminated to prevent possible contamination
of the water supplied by the public water system. The existence of
a health hazard, as identified in §290.47(f) of this title, shall
be considered sufficient grounds for immediate termination of water
service. Service can be restored only when the health hazard no longer
exists, or until the health hazard has been isolated from the public
water system in accordance with §290.44(h) of this title (relating
to Water Distribution).
(3) These customer service inspection requirements
are not considered acceptable substitutes for and shall not apply
to the sanitary control requirements stated in §290.102(a)(5)
of this title (relating to General Applicability).
(4) A customer service inspection is an examination
of the private water distribution facilities for the purpose of providing
or denying water service. This inspection is limited to the identification
and prevention of cross-connections, potential contaminant hazards,
and illegal lead materials. The customer service inspector has no
authority or obligation beyond the scope of the commission's regulations.
A customer service inspection is not a plumbing inspection as defined
and regulated by the TSBPE. A customer service inspector is not permitted
to perform plumbing inspections. State statutes and TSBPE adopted
rules require that TSBPE licensed plumbing inspectors perform plumbing
inspections of all new plumbing and alterations or additions to existing
plumbing within the municipal limits of all cities, towns, and villages
which have passed an ordinance adopting one of the plumbing codes
recognized by TSBPE. Such entities may stipulate that the customer
service inspection be performed by the plumbing inspector as a part
of the more comprehensive plumbing inspection. Where such entities
permit customer service inspectors to perform customer service inspections,
the customer service inspector shall report any violations immediately
to the local entity's plumbing inspection department.
(k) Interconnection. No physical connection between
the distribution system of a public drinking water supply and that
of any other water supply shall be permitted unless the other water
supply is of a safe, sanitary quality and the interconnection is approved
by the executive director.
(l) Flushing of mains. All dead-end mains must be flushed
at monthly intervals. Dead-end lines and other mains shall be flushed
as needed if water quality complaints are received from water customers
or if disinfectant residuals fall below acceptable levels as specified
in §290.110 of this title.
(m) Maintenance and housekeeping. The maintenance and
housekeeping practices used by a public water system shall ensure
the good working condition and general appearance of the system's
facilities and equipment. The grounds and facilities shall be maintained
in a manner so as to minimize the possibility of the harboring of
rodents, insects, and other disease vectors, and in such a way as
to prevent other conditions that might cause the contamination of
the water.
(1) Each of the system's ground, elevated, and pressure
tanks shall be inspected annually by water system personnel or a contracted
inspection service.
(A) Ground and elevated storage tank inspections must
determine that the vents are in place and properly screened, the roof
hatches closed and locked, flap valves and gasketing provide adequate
protection against insects, rodents, and other vermin, the interior
and exterior coating systems are continuing to provide adequate protection
to all metal surfaces, and the tank remains in a watertight condition.
(B) Pressure tank inspections must determine that the
pressure release device and pressure gauge are working properly, the
air-water ratio is being maintained at the proper level, the exterior
coating systems are continuing to provide adequate protection to all
metal surfaces, and the tank remains in watertight condition. Pressure
tanks provided with an inspection port must have the interior surface
inspected every five years.
Cont'd... |
