Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 391-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Subject 391-3-6 - WATER QUALITY CONTROL
Rule 391-3-6-.02 - Preparation and Submission of Engineering Reports, Plans Specifications, and Environmental Information Documents

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 391-3-6-.02

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Purpose. The purpose of Rule 391-3-6-.02 is to establish procedures to:

(a) Be followed by persons submitting to the Division engineering reports, plans and specifications, and related materials for the construction of any system for the disposal or treatment of pollutants;

(b) Provide for environmental assessment and public participation for all proposed publicly owned wastewater treatment facility construction, including construction, upgrading, or expansion of new or existing facilities.

(2) Definitions. All terms used in this Paragraph shall be interpreted in accordance with the definitions as set forth in the Act, unless otherwise defined in this Paragraph or in any other Paragraph of these Rules:

(a) "Professional Engineer." As used in this chapter, the term means the same as the definition contained in O.C.G.A. Section 43-15-2(10).

(b) "Owner." Any person owning or operating any system for the disposal or treatment of pollutants.

(c) "Sewerage System" means any system for the treatment or disposal of pollutants, including treatment works, pipe lines or conduits, pumping stations and force mains, and all other constructions, devices, and appliances appurtenant thereto, used for conducting pollutants to the point of ultimate disposal.

(d) "Wastewater Treatment Facilities" means any device or system (including recycling and reclamation) used in the treatment of sewage or other waterborne waste or pollutants.

(e) "Environmental Information Document" means an assessment of environmental impact of any proposed construction, upgrading or expansion of a wastewater treatment facility. This evaluation may include, but is not limited to, the impact of the proposed construction, upgrading or expansion on air quality, flood plains, wetlands, noise pollution, water quality, cultural resources, and endangered or threatened species.

(f) "Public Participation" means providing information to the public potentially affected by the proposed project and providing for public input prior to construction.

(3) General Provisions.

(a) Any person who desires to erect, modify, or alter a sewerage system shall obtain approval of any plans, specification and related materials for such system from the Division prior to commencement of construction. The review of certain types of sewer system extensions may be delegated to local governments that have demonstrated the capability for such reviews. This delegation shall be by written agreement.

(b) Engineering material submitted to the Division shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision or review and bear the seal of a Professional Engineer competent in the design of sewerage systems and wastewater treatment facilities. At no time shall this requirement be in conflict with O.C.G.A. Section 43-15 governing the practice of professional engineering and surveying.

(c) During the early stages of planning for the construction of a sewerage system, and prior to the formal submission of an application and accompanying materials for any permit required pursuant to the Act, or materials for any permit required pursuant to the Act, or materials submitted for Division approval pursuant to these rules, a conference between the project owner or his representative and representatives of the Division shall be held at the request of either the Director or the project owner, in order to reach a clear understanding of the proposal to be formally submitted to the Division at a later time. Such conference shall be granted within sixty (60) days after a written request to the Division by the project owner or his representative. If a conference is not granted within such period, then such permit application or other materials shall be filed and acted upon by the Division after the expiration of such period.

(d) Sufficient copies of completed reports, plans and specifications, and related materials shall be submitted to the Division to cover necessary distribution when approved. Such material, accompanied by a letter to transmittal, shall be submitted by the project owner or his representative well in advance of any critical date involved, in order that time will be available for review, discussion, and revision when necessary. The submittal of such material shall be complete, accurate, distinct, legible, and relevant in respect to the project to which it applies. Permit applications shall be processed as provided in Paragraph 391-3-6-.06.

(e) Plans for a sewerage system submitted to the Division will be considered for approval by the Division only when designated so as to minimize the passage of rainwater from roofs, streets or other areas and all groundwater, other than unavoidable infiltration, through such sewerage system.

(f) All proposed lift stations must be approved by the Division.

(g) All projects for the construction, upgrading or expansion of publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities within the State shall be required to prepare an Environmental Information Document (EID). The Division will perform a review of the EID in accordance with procedures developed by the Director.

1. The party or parties responsible for the project will consult with Federal and State agencies as appropriate for information required in preparing the EID.

2. For municipal facilities, the party or parties responsible for the project will conduct at least one public meeting during the planning process. The public will be allowed to submit written comments at any point during the facilities planning process.

(4) Engineering Reports. Engineering reports submitted to the Division shall contain a comprehensive description of the proposed project and shall include the following:

(a) Pertinent information regarding the existing sewerage system, if applicable;

(b) Characteristics of existing pollutants and existing or proposed treatment of such pollutants;

(d) Evaluation of alternatives to define the most cost effective method for meeting established effluent limitations, water quality goals, and treatment requirements;

(e) Results to be expected from treatment process;

(f) Sufficient maps, charts, tables, calculations, basis of design data and graphs to make the report readily understandable;

(g) An operation and maintenance program description;

(h) Such other pertinent engineering information as the Division may require.

(5) Plans and Specification. Plans and specifications submitted to the Division for a sewerage system shall include the following:

(a) A map showing the area to be served by the sewerage system;

(b) Profiles of proposed sewers;

(d) General and detailed plans for the treatment facility;

(e) Specifications for the construction of the sewerage system;

(f) Such other plans and specifications as the Division may require.

(6) General Map Plans. General map plans submitted to the Division for a sewerage system shall include the following:

(a) A map plan that shows the entire area to be served, drawn to a scale of from 100 to 300 feet per inch. The map plan may be divided into sections, provided the sheets are bound together and indexed to show the area covered by each sheet.

(b) All existing and proposed streets in the area to be served; surface elevations at all street intersections; the location of all existing sewers, separate or combined; the location of the treatment facility; the location of the existing and proposed sewer outlets or overflows; the elevation of the highest known stream water level at the outlets and the treatment facility; and clear identification of any areas from which sewage is to be pumped.

(c) Clear designation on the plan by suitable symbols of all sewer appurtenances, including, but not limited to, manholes, siphons and pumps.

(d) Such other information as the Division may require.

(7) Sewer Plans and Profiles. Sewer plans and profiles submitted to the Division for a sewerage system shall include the following:

(a) Sewers and force mains, drawn at a scale that shows the profile for all manholes, siphons, railroad crossings, street or stream crossings, elevations of stream beds, normal stream water levels, and sizes and grades of sewers show surface elevations and sewer invert elevations.

(b) Detailed drawings of all sewer appurtenances,including, but not limited to, manholes, inspection chambers, siphons, lift stations, and any special structures to accompany the sewer plans, Detailed drawings shall be to a scale suitable to clearly show the design details.

(8) Treatment Facilities Plans. Plans for treatment facilities submitted to the Division shall include the following:

(a) A general plan the that clearly identifies the exact location of the facilities, areas reserved for future expansion, access roads to the various units, and the point at which the access roads connect with existing road or street systems. It shall also show sufficient detail of the units, pipelines or any other features so as to make the proposed treatment process clearly and easily understood. The elevation of all units and water surfaces shall be shown.

(b) Detailed plans which show longitudinal and transverse sections sufficient to explain the construction of each treatment unit.

(c) Flow measuring devices at appropriate points in the plan. Sampling and recording devices may be required by the Division when deemed necessary.

(d) Such other information as the Division may require.

(9) Approval of Plans and Specifications. Approval of the plans and specifications by the Division does not include or imply approval of the structural, electrical, or mechanical integrity of the sewerage system, treatment facilities, units or equipment.

(10) Deviation from Approval Plans and Specifications. No deviations from approved plans and specifications shall be made during construction unless documentation showing proposed changes has been submitted to and approved by the Division.

(11) Effective Date. This Rule shall become effective twenty days after filing with the Secretary of State's Office.

O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-5-20 et seq.

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