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TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 290PUBLIC DRINKING WATER
SUBCHAPTER DRULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
RULE §290.44Water Distribution

      (iii) When a new waterline crosses under a wastewater main or lateral, the waterline shall be encased as described for wastewater mains or laterals in clause (ii) of this subparagraph or constructed of ductile iron or steel pipe with mechanical or welded joints as appropriate. An absolute minimum separation distance of one foot between the waterline and the wastewater main or lateral shall be provided. When a new waterline crosses under a wastewater main, the procedures in §217.53(d) of this title (relating to Pipe Design) must be followed.

      (iv) Where a new potable waterline crosses a new, pressure rated wastewater main or lateral, one segment of the waterline pipe shall be centered over and shall be perpendicular to the wastewater line such that the joints of the waterline pipe are equidistant and at least nine feet horizontally from the center line of the wastewater main or lateral. The potable waterline shall be at least six inches above the wastewater main or lateral. Whenever possible, the crossing shall be centered between the joints of the wastewater main or lateral. The wastewater pipe shall have a minimum pressure rating of at least 150 psi. The wastewater main or lateral shall be embedded in cement stabilized sand (see clause (v) of this subparagraph) for the total length of one pipe segment plus 12 inches beyond the joint on each end.

      (v) Where cement stabilized sand bedding is required, the cement stabilized sand shall have a minimum of 10% cement per cubic yard of cement stabilized sand mixture, based on loose dry weight volume (at least 2.5 bags of cement per cubic yard of mixture). The cement stabilized sand bedding shall be a minimum of six inches above and four inches below the wastewater main or lateral. The use of brown coloring in cement stabilized sand for wastewater main or lateral bedding is recommended for the identification of pressure rated wastewater mains during future construction.

  (5) Waterline and wastewater main manhole or lateral manhole or cleanout separation. The separation distance from a potable waterline to a wastewater main manhole or lateral manhole or cleanout shall be a minimum of nine feet. Where the nine-foot separation distance cannot be achieved, the potable waterline shall be encased in a joint of at least 150 psi pressure class pipe at least 18 feet long and two nominal sizes larger than the new conveyance. The space around the carrier pipe shall be supported at five-foot intervals with spacers or be filled to the springline with washed sand. The encasement pipe shall be centered on the crossing and both ends sealed with cement grout or manufactured sealant.

  (6) Location of fire hydrants. Fire hydrants shall not be installed within nine feet vertically or horizontally of any wastewater main, wastewater lateral, or wastewater service line regardless of construction.

  (7) Location of potable or raw water supply or suction lines. Suction mains to pumping equipment shall not cross wastewater mains, wastewater laterals, or wastewater service lines. Raw water supply lines shall not be installed within five feet of any tile or concrete wastewater main, wastewater lateral, or wastewater service line.

  (8) Proximity of septic tank drainfields. Waterlines shall not be installed closer than ten feet to septic tank drainfields.

(f) Sanitary precautions and disinfection. Sanitary precautions, flushing, disinfection procedures, and microbiological sampling as prescribed in AWWA standards for disinfecting water mains shall be followed in laying waterlines.

  (1) Pipe shall not be laid in water or placed where it can be flooded with water or sewage during its storage or installation.

  (2) Special precautions must be taken when waterlines are laid under any flowing or intermittent stream or semipermanent body of water such as marsh, bay, or estuary. In these cases, the water main shall be installed in a separate watertight pipe encasement and valves must be provided on each side of the crossing with facilities to allow the underwater portion of the system to be isolated and tested to determine that there are no leaks in the underwater line. Alternately, and with the permission of the executive director, the watertight pipe encasement may be omitted.

  (3) New mains shall be thoroughly disinfected in accordance with AWWA Standard C651 and then flushed and sampled before being placed in service. Samples shall be collected for microbiological analysis to check the effectiveness of the disinfection procedure. Sampling shall be repeated if contamination persists. A minimum of one sample for each 1,000 feet of completed waterline will be required or at the next available sampling point beyond 1,000 feet as designated by the design engineer.

(g) Interconnections.

  (1) Each proposal for a direct connection between public drinking water systems under separate administrative authority will be considered on an individual basis.

    (A) Documents covering the responsibility for sanitary control shall accompany the submitted planning material.

    (B) Each water supply shall be of a safe, potable quality.

  (2) Where an interconnection between systems is proposed to provide a second source of supply for one or both systems, the system being utilized as a second source of supply must be capable of supplying a minimum of 0.35 gallons per minute per connection for the total number of connections in the combined distribution systems.

(h) Backflow, siphonage.

  (1) No water connection from any public drinking water supply system shall be allowed to any residence or establishment where an actual or potential contamination hazard exists unless the public water facilities are protected from contamination.

    (A) At any residence or establishment where an actual or potential contamination hazard exists, additional protection shall be required at the meter in the form of an air gap or backflow prevention assembly. The type of backflow prevention assembly required shall be determined by the specific potential hazard identified in §290.47(f) of this title (relating to Appendices).

    (B) At any residence or establishment where an actual or potential contamination hazard exists and an adequate internal cross-connection control program is in effect, backflow protection at the water service entrance or meter is not required.

      (i) An adequate internal cross-connection control program shall include an annual inspection and testing by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester on all backflow prevention assemblies used for health hazard protection.

      (ii) Copies of all such inspection and test reports must be obtained and kept on file by the water purveyor.

      (iii) It will be the responsibility of the water purveyor to ensure that these requirements are met.

  (2) No water connection from any public drinking water supply system shall be connected to any condensing, cooling, or industrial process or any other system of nonpotable usage over which the public water supply system officials do not have sanitary control, unless the said connection is made in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection. Water from such systems cannot be returned to the potable water supply.

  (3) Overhead bulk water dispensing stations must be provided with an air gap between the filling outlet hose and the receiving tank to protect against back siphonage and cross-contamination.

  (4) All backflow prevention assemblies that are required according to this section and associated table located in §290.47(f) of this title shall be tested upon installation by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester and certified to be operating within specifications. Backflow prevention assemblies which are installed to provide protection against health hazards must also be tested and certified to be operating within specifications at least annually by a licensed backflow prevention assembly tester.

    (A) Backflow prevention assembly testers shall have completed an executive director-approved course on cross-connection control and backflow prevention assembly testing, pass an examination administered by the executive director, and hold a current license as a backflow prevention assembly tester.

      (i) Backflow prevention assembly testers are qualified to test and repair assemblies on any domestic, commercial, industrial, or irrigation service.

      (ii) Backflow prevention assembly testers may test and repair assemblies on firelines only if they are permanently employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor. The Texas Department of Insurance's State Fire Marshal's Office requires that any person performing maintenance on firelines must be employed by an Approved Fireline Contractor.

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