Attachment 5 - Seasonal System Fact Sheet.pdf

Step 1: Complete the Seasonal Start-up Procedures All seasonal PWS’s must conduct ADEQ’s start-up procedures before delivering drinking water to customers. Start-up procedures help reduce the presence of harmful bacteria in water. The Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form contains a checklist and is available at: http://static.azdeq.gov/forms/dw_seasonal_procedures_cert.pdf

Flush a l l p ipes unt i l the water i s c lear Flushing the pipe lines in all areas of the PWS helps remove buildup and dirty water that has gathered during the off-season. Flushing the pipes helps the disinfectant work more effectively to kill bacteria and inactivate viruses.

Clean a l l water s torage tanks Drain and clean the tanks before delivering water to the PWS’s customers. Harmful sediments may build up over time inside and along the walls of the water tanks. It is recommended that the tank be inspected and cleaned regularly. For information about how to disinfect, see Engineering Bulletin 8:

http://www.azdeq.gov/function/compliance/download/eb8.pdf

Dis infec t the ent i re PWS Kill harmful bacteria and inactivate viruses by adding a disinfectant or by making sure the adequate disinfectant residual is present in all areas of the PWS’s water pipes. The system should be flushed thoroughly. Be sure to keep the highly chlorinated water away from surface water bodies such as lakes, streams, and ponds, as well as septic systems.

Remember, the PWS may not deliver water to any customers until proper disinfecting and flushing of the system is completed. For more information about how to disinfect, see Engineering Bulletin 8:

http://www.azdeq.gov/function/compliance/download/eb8.pdf. For more information about emergency disinfection:

http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/download/disinfec.pdf or call the PWS's regulatory agency for assistance.

Inspec t the ent i re PWS us ing the ADEQ requi red c hec kl i s t and repai r system Consider having a qualified water system professional inspect and repair the PWS before delivering any water to customers. Some parts of the PWS may have broken down or become worn out during the off season. This can create a situation where bacteria can enter the drinking water. Please visit this link for a list of state certified water system professionals to help with finding any defects at the system: http://legacy.azdeq.gov/databases/ opcertsearch_drupal.html The database allows active operators to research the status of their certificates, including expiration dates. , and to run queries on groups of operators, sorting them by type, grade and city.

Col lec t samples to test for bac ter ia and dis infec tant res idual Collect water samples and have them tested for the presence of bacteria and chlorine residuals at a state certified lab, after flushing, cleaning, disinfecting, and repairing the PWS. Also, sample and test to determine if the adequate amount of disinfectant residual is present to help provide safer drinking water. The PWS should find out the sample results before delivering water to any customers. For more information about disinfection and disinfectant residuals, see Engineering Bulletin 8: http://www.azdeq.gov/function/compliance/download/eb8.pdf

WHO DOES THIS FACTSHEET APPLY TO?

SEASONAL SYSTEMS – A seasonal system is defined as a non-community water system that is not operated as a public water system (PWS) on a year-round basis and starts-up and shuts-down at the beginning and end of each operating season. Examples include campgrounds, fairgrounds, seasonal food service facilities, and RV Parks.

Requirements for Seasonal Systems

ATTENTION!

Beginning April 1, 2016, seasonal non-community public water systems are required to meet the reporting requirements specified in 40 CFR § 141.861 (a)(5): A seasonal system must certify, prior to serving water to the public, that it has complied with the State-approved start-up procedure. A system:

• May certify that the system maintained and operated at a pressure of at least 20 psi through the off-season;

OR

• Must perform a start-up procedure if it did not

FACTSHEET: Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR)

Step 2: Complete the Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form PRIOR to delivering water to any customers.

Contact the PWS’s regulatory agency for assistance in understanding or following the Start-Up Procedures.

• PERFORM the items in the start-up procedures checklist, available on ADEQ’s website.

• COMPLETE the Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form, available on ADEQ’s website.

• SUBMIT Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form to the state.

When the Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form is signed and submitted, the PWS is certifying that all of the start-up procedures have been completed, including:

• Flushed all pipes.

• Cleaned all water storage tanks (if applicable).

• Disinfected the entire PWS.

• Inspected the entire PWS using the ADEQ required checklist.

• Repaired the PWS (if applicable).

• Collected samples to test for bacteria and disinfectant residual.

Step 3: Maintain good water quality and a good reputation with the PWS’s customers If the PWS does not complete all of the start-up procedures, the PWS must notify the customers of the drinking water violation for failure to complete start-up procedures and tell them of any possible health risks. Contact the PWS's regulatory agency for information on the proper public notification procedures (including language that must be used), and timing.

Step 4: Complete the Seasonal Shutdown Procedures Similar to start-up procedures, completing shutdown procedures at the end of the PWS’s business season will help the PWS minimize repairs to the PWS when the PWS opens up again next season. To determine appropriate shutdown procedures for the PWS, contact the PWS’s regulatory agency. In general, the PWS should:

• Inspect the entire system and look for problems and damage that need attention or repairs.

• Turn off the power to the water supply pump and all treatment systems.

• If there is potential for the pressure tank or storage tank to freeze, drain it. If there is no potential for the tanks to freeze, the PWS may choose to leave them full.

• Drain all of the water from the PWS’s internal plumbing.

• Protect the distribution system by not leaving taps open in the off season.

November 2015

What happens if the PWS fails to take the required actions?

Systems can incur violations which require public notice for

FAILURE TO:

Complete the regulatory approved start-up procedure prior to serving water to the public. This is a Treatment Technique

Violation that requires a Tier 2 Public Notice (within 30 days).

Submit the Seasonal Start-Up Procedures Certification Form no later than 10 days PRIOR to serving water to the public.

This is a Reporting Violation that requires a Tier 3 Public

Notice (within 365 days).

For more information, visit our website at: http://www.azdeq.gov/RevisedTotalColiformRule

RTCR: Requirements for Seasonal Systems (page 2)

FOR ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT THE

SYSTEM’S REGULATORY AGENCY:

ADEQ: RTCR@azdeq.gov

MCESD: 602-506-6935

PDEQ: 520-724-7400