Alabama Administrative Code › Title 335 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT › WATER DIVISION - WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM › Chapter 335-7-1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Section 335-7-1-.01 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
When used in these regulations, the following words and
				  terms shall have the meaning assigned to them as shown. Additional terms may
				  also be defined in other chapters at the time of their use.
(a) Clean compliance history-for the purposes
				of microbiological monitoring, a record of no maximum contaminant level
				violations, no monitoring violations, and no coliform treatment technique
				trigger exceedances or treatment technique violations.0
(b) Coagulation--a process using coagulant
				chemicals and mixing to destabilize colloidal and suspended particles into
				floc.
(c) Combined Distribution
				System--the interconnected distribution system consisting of the distribution
				systems of wholesale systems and of the consecutive systems that receive
				finished water.
(d) Community Water
				System--a public water system which serves at least fifteen (15) service
				connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least
				twenty-five (25) year-round residents.
(e) Compliance cycle--the nine year calendar
				year cycle during which public water systems must monitor. Each compliance
				cycle contains three 3 year compliance periods. The first compliance cycle
				begins January 1, 1993 and ends December 31, 2001.
(f) Compliance period--a three year calendar
				period within a compliance cycle.
(g) Confluent growth--a continuous bacterial
				growth covering the entire filtration area of a membrane filter, or a portion
				thereof, in which bacterial colonies are not discrete.
(h) Consecutive system--a public water system
				that receives some or all of its finished water from one or more wholesale
				systems. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the
				distribution system of one or more consecutive systems.
(i) Contaminant--matter which renders water
				unfit to use due to its physical, chemical, biological, or radiological
				properties.
(j) CT--the product of
				residual disinfection concentration (C) in milligrams per liter determined
				before the first customer and the corresponding disinfection contact time (T)
				in minutes.
(k) Department--the
				Alabama Department of Environmental Management as created under §§
									22-22A-1,
et
seq
.,
Code of
				Ala. 1975
.
(l)
				Director--the Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management or
				his designee.
(m) Disinfectant--any
				oxidant including but not limited to chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines or
				ozone, added to water in any part of the treatment or distribution process,
				with the intent to kill or inactivate pathogenic micro-organisms.
(n) Disinfection--the process of applying an
				approved disinfectant to destroy, neutralize, or inhibit the growth of
				pathogenic micro-organisms.
(o)
				Dual sample set--a set of two samples collected at the same time and same
				location, with one sample analyzed for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and the
				other sample analyzed for haloacetic acids (HAA5).
(p) Engineer--a person currently licensed by
				the Alabama State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
				Surveyors to provide engineering services.
(q) Enhanced softening--the improved removal
				of disinfection byproduct percursors by precipitative softening.
(r) EPA--the Environmental Protection
				Agency.
(s) Exemption--the process
				of allowing a water system to be excused from meeting an established drinking
				water standard for a specific length of time.
(t) Federal Act--the Safe Drinking Water Act,
				Public Law 93-523, including all amendments.
(u) Filtration--a process for removing
				particulate matter from water by passage through media.
(v) Finished Water-- water that is introduced
				into the distribution system of a public water system and is intended for
				distribution and consumption without further treatment, except as treatment is
				necessary to maintain water quality in the distribution system (e.g., booster
				disinfection, addition of corrosion control chemicals).
(w) Flocculation--a process to enhance
				agglomeration of smaller floc particles into larger more easily settleable
				particles through gentle stirring by hydraulic or mechanical means.
(x) GAC 10--granular activated carbon filter
				beds with an empty-bed contact time of 10 minutes based on average daily flow
				and a carbon reactivation frequency of every 180 days, except that the
				reactivation frequency shall be 120 days when used as a best available
				technology for compliance.
(y) GAC
				20--granular activated carbon filter beds with any empty-bed contact time of 20
				minutes based on average daily flow and a carbon reactivation frequency of
				every 240 days.
(z) Groundwater
				Source--a source of water that is obtained from wells or springs and not
				directly influenced by surface water.
				335-7-1-.01
(aa) Ground Water Under the Influence--any
				water beneath the surface of the ground with (1) significant occurrence of
				insects or other macro-organisms, algae, or large diameter pathogens such as
				Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium or (2) significant and relatively rapid shifts
				in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH
				which closely correlate to climatological or surface water conditions. Direct
				influence must be determined for individual sources in accordance with criteria
				established by the Department. The Department determination of direct influence
				may be based on site-specific measurements of water quality and/or
				documentation of well construction characteristics and geology with field
				evaluation.
(bb) Haloacetic acids
				(five) (HAA5)--the sum of the concentrations in milligrams per liter of the
				haloacetic acid compounds (monochloroacetic acid, dichloracetic acid,
				trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid), rounded to
				two significant figures after addition.
(cc) Initial compliance period--the first
				full three-year compliance period which starts January 1, 1993 and ends
				December 31, 1995.
(dd) Level 1
				assessment-- is an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary
				defects, defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and
				(when possible) the likely reason that the system triggered the assessment. It
				is conducted by the system operator or owner. Minimum elements include review
				and identification of atypical events that could affect distributed water
				quality or indicate that distributed water quality was impaired; changes in
				distribution system maintenance and operation that could affect distributed
				water quality (including water storage); source and treatment considerations
				that bear on distributed water quality, where appropriate (e.g., whether a
				ground water system is disinfected); existing water quality monitoring data;
				and inadequacies in sample sites, sampling protocol, and sample processing. The
				system must conduct the assessment consistent with any State directives that
				tailor specific assessment elements with respect to the size and type of the
				system and the size, type, and characteristics of the distribution
				system.
(ee) Level 2 assessment--
				is an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects, defects
				in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and (when possible) the
				likely reason that the system triggered the assessment. A Level 2 assessment
				provides a more detailed examination of the system (including the system's
				monitoring and operational practices) than does a Level 1 assessment through
				the use of more comprehensive investigation and review of available
				information, additional internal and external resources, and other relevant
				practices. It is conducted by an individual approved by the State, which may
				include the system operator. Minimum elements include review and identification
				of atypical events that could affect distributed water quality or indicate that
				distributed water quality was impaired; changes in distribution system
				maintenance and operation that could affect distributed water quality
				(including water storage); source and treatment considerations that bear on
				distributed water quality, where appropriate (e.g., whether a ground water
				system is disinfected); existing water quality monitoring data; and
				inadequacies in sample sites, sampling protocol, and sample processing. The
				system must conduct the assessment consistent with any State directives that
				tailor specific assessment elements with respect to the size and type of the
				system and the size, type, and characteristics of the distribution system. The
				system must comply with any expedited actions or additional actions required by
				the State in the case of an
E. coli
MCL violation.
(ff) Locational running annual average
				(LRAA)--the average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a
				particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar
				quarters.
(gg) Maximum Contaminant
				Level (MCL)--the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in drinking water,
				which is delivered to any user of a public water system.
(hh) Maximum residual disinfectant level
				(MRDL)--the level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be
				exceeded at the consumer's tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse
				health effects. MRDLs are enforceable in the same manner as maximum contaminant
				levels.
(ii) Maximum Total
				Trihalomethane Potential--the maximum concentration of total trihalomethanes
				produced in a given water containing a disinfectant residual after seven days o
				at a temperature of 25 C or above.
(jj) Monitoring Trigger--a level established
				by EPA for each individual contaminant to be utilized to require more frequent
				monitoring for that contaminant.
(kk) Monitoring Waiver--the process by which
				a public water system is allowed to reduce or eliminate required monitoring
				during a specific monitoring period.
(ll) National Drinking Water
				Standards--drinking water standards adopted by EPA pursuant to the Federal
				Act.
(mm) Non-community Water
				System--a public water system that is not a community water system. A
				non-community water system is either a "transient non-community water system"
				or a "non-transient non-community water system (NTNC)."
(nn) Non-transient non-community Water
				Systems (NTNC)--a public water system that is not a community water system and
				that regularly serves at least 25 of the same individuals at least six months
				per year.
				335-7-1-.01
(oo) Permit--written authorization granted by
				the Department to construct, install, and operate a public water system and to
				furnish and supply water for human consumption or use.
(pp) Person--any individual, firm,
				partnership, corporation, local governmental unit, party, company, association,
				federal agency, state agency, or any other public or private legal
				entity.
(qq) Public Water System--a
				system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through
				pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least fifteen
				(15) service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five
				(25) individuals at least sixty (60) days out of the year. A public water
				system includes any source, collection, treatment, storage and distribution
				facilities under the control of the operator of such system and used primarily
				in connection with such system, and any collection or pretreatment storage
				facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with
				such system. A public water system is either a community water system, a
				non-community water system, or a non-transient non-community water
				system.
(rr) Raw water--water which
				has received no treatment nor the application of treatment chemicals.
(ss) Repeat compliance period--any subsequent
				compliance period after the initial compliance period.
(tt) Sanitary defect-a defect that could
				provide a pathway of entry for microbial contamination into the distribution
				system or that is indicative of a failure or imminent failure in a barrier that
				is already in place.
(uu) Sanitary
				survey--an onsite review of the water source, facilities, equipment, operation
				and maintenance of a public water system for the purpose of evaluating the
				adequacy of such source, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance for
				producing and distributing safe drinking water.
(vv) Seasonal system-a non-community water
				system that is not operated as a public water system on a year-round basis and
				starts up and shuts down at the beginning and the end of each operating
				season.
(ww) Sedimentation--a
				process using gravity or separation for removal or concentration of solids
				prior to filtration.
(xx) Segmental
				Water System - An apartment complex or business mall that is a consecutive
				water system that serves at least 25 individuals or has at least 15 service
				connections and obtains water from a permitted public water system. This type
				system serves less than 3300 population, does not contain pumps nor storage
				facilities, has a greater amount of plumbing lines that distribution lines and
				has no back siphonage potential or cross-connections. The designation of this
				type water system is based on assurances that monitoring and operation by the
				parent system is sufficient to demonstrate consistent satisfactory water
				quality and there is no threat to public health.
(yy) Service Connection--the point at which
				the water distribution main and the water service pipe are connected to serve
				water to a residence or water customer. A typical service connection is, but
				not limited to, the service line, backflow prevention device and
				meter.
(zz) Supplier of Water--any
				person who owns, operates, controls, directs, or is responsible for a public
				water system.
(aaa) Surface Water
				Source--a source of raw, untreated water that is open to the atmosphere and
				subject to surface water runoff or direct atmospheric contamination; or
				groundwater which is subject to direct influence of surface water.
(bbb) Technical, Managerial & Financial
				Capacity--the overall capability or wherewithal of a water system to
				consistently produce and deliver satisfactory drinking water and consistently
				meeting all Departmental regulations. Technical means the physical
				infrastructure of the water system including water source(s), treatment
				facilities, water storage, distribution and service connections. Managerial
				means the management and operational structure of the water system, including
				but not limited to accountability, staffing and organization, and effective
				linkages to customers and regulatory agencies. Financial means the financial
				resources of the water system, including but not limited to revenue
				sufficiency, credit worthiness, and fiscal controls.
(ccc) TNTC--"Too Numerous To Count" means
				that the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds 200 on a 47-mm diameter
				membrane filter used for coliform detection.
(ddd) Total Organic Carbon (TOC)--total
				organic carbon in mg/L measured using heat, oxygen, ultraviolet irradiation,
				chemical oxidants, or combinations of these oxidants that convert organic
				carbon to carbon dioxide, rounded to two significant figures.
(eee) Transient non-community Water
				System--means a non-community water system that does not regularly serve at
				least 25 of the same persons over six months per year.
(fff) Treated Water--water to be used by a
				public water system which has received the application of approved water
				treatment chemicals.
(ggg)
				Treatment Technique--a required treatment process, procedure, or activity
				necessary to provide deliverance of safe drinking water.
(hhh) Trihalomethane (THM)--one of the family
				of organic compounds, named as derivatives of methane, wherein three of the
				four hydrogen atoms in methane are each substituted by a halogen atom in the
				molecular structure.
(iii) Total
				Trihalomethanes (TTHM)--the sum of the concentration in milligrams per liter of
				the trihalomethane compounds: chloroform, dibromochloromethane,
				bromodichloromethane and bromoform, rounded to two significant
				figures.
(jjj) Uncovered finished
				water storage facility--a tank, reservoir, or other facility used to store
				water that will undergo no further treatment to reduce microbial pathogens
				except residual disinfection and is directly open to the atmosphere.
(kkk) Unregulated Contaminant--any
				contaminant with established monitoring requirements but with no prescribed
				maximum contaminant level adopted.
(lll) Variance--the process by which a public
				water system is allowed to deviate from established regulations.
(mmm) Virus--a virus of fecal origin which is
				infectious to humans by waterborne transmission.
(nnn) Volatile Synthetic Organic Chemical
				(VOC)--a group of organic chemical compounds considered to be probable human
				carcinogens for which maximum contaminant levels and monitoring requirements
				have been adopted by the Department.
(ooo) Water Dispensing Machine--a device that
				complies with National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards for drinking water
				equipment, obtains all of its water from a permitted public water system, and
				dispenses unit servings of piped water to the public.
(ppp) Waterborne Disease Outbreak--the
				significant occurrence of acute infectious illness, epidemiologically
				associated with the ingestion of water from a public water system which is
				deficient in treatment, as determined by the appropriate local or State
				agency.
(qqq) Wholesale system--a
				public water system that treats source water as necessary to produce finished
				water and then delivers some or all of that finished water to another public
				water system. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the
				distribution system of one or more consecutive systems.
Authors:
Joe Alan Power, Thomas S. DeLoach,
					 Dennis D. Harrison
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
					 1975
, §§
											22-23-33,
					 22-23-49.