Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 860 - PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION › Division 37 - WASTEWATER SERVICE REGULATION FOR JOINT WATER/WASTEWATER UTILITIES › Section 860-037-0065 - Design, Construction, and Operation

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) The wastewater utility owner is
			 responsible and liable for meeting the requirements for all applicable laws,
			 rules, and codes and for the wastewater (sewage) that passes through the
			 collection, treatment, and disposal plants.
(2) The wastewater utility owner is
			 responsible for obtaining and maintaining all permits, licenses, approvals,
			 design, equipment and materials selection, installation, testing, operation,
			 and maintenance of the complete wastewater system.
(3) Each wastewater utility shall maintain
			 and operate wastewater treatment facilities of adequate size and properly
			 equipped to collect, transport, and treat wastewater, and discharge the
			 effluent at the degree of purity required by the health laws of the DEQ, and
			 all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and authorities having
			 jurisdiction over such matters.
(4)
			 All materials used in construction of a wastewater system must be structurally
			 sound, durable, and capable of withstanding normal stresses incidental to
			 installation and operation, and will meet or exceed the industry established
			 standards, codes, and requirements of entities having such authority.
(5) Wastewater treatment facilities shall be
			 constructed, installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with accepted
			 engineering practice to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of
			 service, uniformity in the quality of service furnished, and the safety of
			 persons and property.
(6) While
			 prudently managing costs, the design and construction of the wastewater
			 utility's collecting main lines, treatment plant and facilities, and all
			 additions thereto and modifications thereof, shall meet or exceed the
			 requirements of all regulatory authorities, construction codes, and industry
			 standards.
(7) The capacity of the
			 treatment facilities for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater
			 and wastewater effluent must be sufficiently sized to meet all normal demands
			 for service and provide reasonable reserve for emergencies.
(8) Each wastewater utility shall adopt
			 procedures for inspection of its plant and facilities to assure safe and
			 adequate operation and shall make inspections of its plant on a regular basis.
			 The procedures shall be filed with the Commission. The wastewater utility shall
			 maintain a record of inspections, findings, and corrective action required
			 and/or taken, by location and date.
(9) All components of the wastewater system
			 must be operated and maintained so as not to create a public health hazard or
			 cause water pollution, and without interruption, sewage spills, sewage backup,
			 or other unhealthful conditions.
(a) The owner
			 must establish operating procedures and maintain appropriate qualified staff
			 and adequate inventory of necessary spare parts such as pumps, piping,
			 electrical controls, and valves.
(b) A failing system must be immediately
			 repaired.