Alabama Administrative Code › Title 335 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT › WATER DIVISION - WATER QUALITY PROGRAM › Chapter 335-6-20 - RECLAIMED WATER REUSE PROGRAM › Section 335-6-20-.17 - Distribution Pipelines

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
The design and construction of municipal reclaimed water
				  distribution pipelines shall comply with applicable provisions of chapter
				  335-6-3. The design and construction of municipal reclaimed water distribution
				  pipelines shall also comply with applicable provisions of rule
				  335-7-7-.03.
(1) Reclaimed water mains shall be treated as
				non-potable mains when considering their separation from potable water.
				Reclaimed water mains shall be treated as potable water mains when considering
				their separation from sanitary sewers.
(2) For a system that proposes to use an
				alternative to the distribution pipeline requirements in this chapter, rule
				335-7-7-.03, or chapter 335-6-3,
				the design engineer shall submit to the Department for review data
				demonstrating that the installation of an alternative will protect public
				health and the environment.
(3) A
				reclaimed water distribution system and the continued distribution systems of
				all of its customers shall have specific requirements, including, but not
				limited to, the following:
(a) Maximum
				obtainable separation of reclaimed water lines and potable water lines shall be
				practiced. A minimum horizontal separation of three feet (outside of pipe to
				outside of pipe) shall be maintained between reclaimed water lines and either
				potable water mains or sewage collection lines. A minimum of eighteen inches
				shall be provided between the bottom of any potable water supply line and the
				top of the reclaimed water line.
(b) The residential customers shall have
				installed a permanent underground supply distribution system. Existing
				distribution systems may be utilized for reuse; however, the system shall be
				modified so that no reuse water shall enter a potable water system.
(c) A public information program is required
				to inform designated users and the public of what reclaimed water is and to
				answer questions about connection to the system. All designated users wishing
				to connect to the system must participate in the public information program and
				have their participation documented. This public information program may be in
				the form of a seminar, video, multimedia electronic presentation or other
				appropriate media.
(d) As-built
				plans of the reclaimed water systems, showing valve locations, tap locations
				and size of taps shall be available to the permittee at all times.
(e) The customer shall not allow the
				reclaimed water to enter dwellings.
(f) The customer shall sign a written
				agreement with the permittee prior to being connected to the reuse system.
				Irrigation shall occur only during periods approved in the written user
				agreement.
(g) The customer shall
				not allow reclaimed water to be reused for consumption (human or animal),
				interconnecting with another water source, irrigation of edible crops
				(gardens), body contact recreation, filling of swimming pools, or sharing a
				common reclaimed service between properties.
(h) Operation and maintenance of the
				reclaimed water system including valves, outlets, couplers and sprinkler heads
				shall be performed by personnel who have completed the public educational
				program(s).
(i) Precautions shall
				be taken to ensure that reclaimed water will not be sprayed on any facility or
				area not designated for application. Low trajectory nozzles, or other means to
				minimize aerosol formation shall be used within 100 feet of public eating,
				drinking and bathing facilities and in all residential applications.
(j) Malfunctioning irrigation systems and
				line breaks shall be repaired immediately. Improper operation allowing runoff
				during operation may be grounds to terminate service to the customer.
(k) Reuse through hose bibs or faucets may be
				allowed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. If allowed, hoses and hose
				bibs shall be through cam-lock connection assemblies to be provided by the
				permittee at the location specified by the permittee. Specific provisions must
				be in any written reuse agreements to ensure that reclaimed water is strictly
				reused for irrigation purposes and will not be utilized for any of the
				restricted items identified in these regulations.
(l) Application of reclaimed water for
				non-consumable agricultural irrigation of crops will be considered by the
				Department on a case-by-case basis.
(m) The permittee must coordinate with the
				purveyor of potable water to advise it of the reuse of reclaimed water in the
				area.