Section 140. Operations and maintenance

A. The permittee shall develop and submit to the board an operations and maintenance manual in accordance with 9VAC25-740-120 B 3 f for each reclamation system, SRS, or combination of these facilities covered by the same permit. The permittee shall maintain the manual and any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee shall be documented and submitted to the board within 90 days of the effective date of the changes.

B. For each reclaimed water distribution system, the permittee shall develop an operations and maintenance manual to be made available at a location central to the system. The permittee shall maintain the manual and include any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee in the manual. The operations and maintenance manual for a reclaimed water distribution system may be included in the operations and maintenance manual described in subsection A of this section where the reclaimed water distribution system and a reclamation system or SRS, or all these facilities are covered by the same permit.

C. For a reclamation system authorized under the permit of a wastewater treatment works that provides flow to the reclamation system, the operations and maintenance manual of the reclamation system may be made a part of the operations and maintenance manual for the wastewater treatment works.

D. The operations and maintenance manual is a set of detailed instructions developed to facilitate the operator's understanding of operational constraints and maintenance requirements for the reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system; and the monitoring and reporting requirements specified in the permit issued for each system. The scope and content of the manual will be determined by the complexity of the system or systems described by the manual.

1. For a reclamation system or SRS, the operations and maintenance manual shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

a. A description of unit treatment processes within the reclamation system or SRS and step-by-step instructions for the operation of these processes;

b. Routine maintenance and schedules of maintenance for each unit treatment process in the system;

c. The criteria used to make continuous determinations of the acceptability of the reclaimed water being produced and shall include set points for parameters measured by continuous on-line monitoring equipment;

d. Descriptions of sampling and monitoring procedures and record keeping that comply with the requirements of this chapter and any applicable permit conditions;

e. The physical steps and procedures to be followed by the operator when substandard water is being produced, including resampling and operational review in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 C;

f. The physical steps and procedures to be followed by the operator when the treatment works returns to normal operation and acceptable quality reclaimed water is again being produced;

g. Procedures to be followed during a period when an operator is not present at the treatment works;

h. Information necessary for the proper management of sludge or residuals from reclamation treatment that is not specifically requested in the application for a VPDES or VPA permit; and

i. A contingency plan to eliminate or minimize the potential for untreated or inadequately treated water to be delivered to reuse areas. The plan shall, as applicable, reference and coordinate with the education and notification program specified in 9VAC25-740-170 A for any release of untreated or inadequately treated water to the reclaimed water distribution system.

2. For a reclaimed water distribution system, the operations and maintenance manual shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

a. A map of the distribution system, a description of all components within the distribution system, and step-by-step instructions for the operation of specific mechanical components;

b. Routine and unplanned inspection of the distribution system, including required inspections for the cross-connection and backflow prevention program as specified in 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 g;

c. Routine maintenance and schedules of maintenance for all components of the distribution system. Maintenance shall include, but is not be limited to, initial and routine flushing of the distribution system, measures to prevent or minimize corrosion, fouling and clogging of distribution lines; and detection and repair of broken distribution lines, flow meters or pumping equipment; and

d. Procedures to:

(1) Handle and dispose of any wastes generated by maintenance of the distribution system in a manner protective of the environment;

(2) Prevent the discharge of reclaimed or flush water from distribution system maintenance activities to:

(a) Storm drains;

(b) State waters unless otherwise authorized by the board; and

(c) Sanitary sewers unless allowed under local sewer use ordinances and authorized by the board; and

(3) Collect and, as applicable, retreat reclaimed water or treat flush water from distribution system maintenance activities for a subsequent reuse or use approved by the board.

E. The permittee shall review and revise the operations and maintenance manual, as needed and appropriate, to ensure that the manual contains procedures and criteria addressing the requirements of subsection D of this section for satisfactory system performance. Any revision to the manual shall be reviewed and approved by the board.

F. The permittee of a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system shall be responsible for making the facility protective of the environment and public health at all times, including periods of inactivation or closure. Included in the operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system, the permittee shall submit a plan for inactivation or closure of the facility, specifying what steps will be taken to protect the environment and public health.

G. Where a bulk irrigation reuse site is under common ownership or management with a reclamation system or SRS that generates reclaimed water applied to the site, the operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system or SRS shall include the following:

1. Measurements and calculations used to determine supplemental irrigation rates of reclaimed water for the irrigation reuse sites;

2. Operating procedures of the irrigation system;

3. Routine maintenance required for the continued design performance of the irrigation system and reuse sites;

4. Identification and routine maintenance of reclaimed water storage facilities dedicated to bulk irrigation reuse;

5. Schedules for harvesting and crop removal at the irrigation reuse sites;

6. An inventory of spare parts to be maintained for the irrigation system; and

7. Any other information essential to the operation of the irrigation system and reuse sites in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 24, Issue 26, eff. October 1, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 09, eff. January 29, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.