Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 58 - Environmental Quality, Department of
Rule 58.01.08 - IDAHO RULES FOR PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS
Section 58.01.08.305 - COLIFORM TREATMENT TECHNIQUE TRIGGERS AND ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST POTENTIAL FECAL CONTAMINATION

Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 58.01.08.305

Current through August 31, 2023

40 CFR 141.859, excluding 40 CFR 141.859(a)(2)(iii), is herein incorporated by reference. (3-24-22)

01. Treatment Technique Triggers. Systems owners and operators must ensure that assessments are conducted in accordance with Subsection 305.02 after exceeding treatment technique triggers in this subsection. (3-24-22)

a. Level 1 treatment technique triggers: (3-24-22)
i. For systems taking forty (40) or more samples per month, the system exceeds five percent (5.0%) total coliform-positive samples for the month. (3-24-22)

ii. For systems taking fewer than forty (40) samples per month, the system has two (2) or more total coliform positive samples in the same month. (3-24-22)

iii. The system owner or operator fails to take every required repeat sample after any single total coliform-positive sample. (3-24-22)

b. Level 2 treatment technique triggers: (3-24-22)
i. An E.coli MCL violation, as specified in Subsection 050.05 and Subsection 100.01 of these rules; or (3-24-22)

ii. A second or any additional Level 1 triggers as defined in Subsection 305.01.a. within a rolling 12-month period, unless the Department has determined a likely reason that the samples that caused the first Level 1 treatment technique trigger were total coliform-positive and has established that the system has corrected the problem. (3-24-22)

02. Requirements For Assessments. (3-24-22)

a. System owners and operators must ensure that Level 1 and 2 assessments are conducted in order to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects and defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices. The assessment must be conducted consistent with any Department 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. (3-24-22)

b. When conducting assessments, owners and operators must ensure that the assessor evaluates minimum elements that include review and identification of inadequacies in sample sites; sampling protocol; sample processing; 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., small ground water systems); and existing water quality monitoring data. The system owner or operator must ensure the assessments are consistent with the elements in the Department provided forms for Level 1 and Level 2 assessments. (3-24-22)

c. Level 1 Assessments. A system owner or operator must conduct a Level 1 assessment if the system exceeds one of the treatment technique triggers in Subsection 305.01.a. as soon as practical after any trigger level is identified and submit a completed Level 1 assessment report or form to the Department within thirty (30) days after the system learns that it has exceeded a trigger. (3-24-22)
i. The completed assessment report or form must describe sanitary defects detected, corrective actions completed, and a proposed timetable for any corrective actions not already completed. The assessment report or form may also note that no sanitary defects were identified. (3-24-22)

ii. If the Department reviews the completed Level 1 report or form and determines that the assessment is not sufficient (including any proposed timetable for any corrective actions not already completed), the Department will consult with the owner or operator of the system. If the Department requires revisions after consultation, the system owner or operator must submit a revised assessment report or form to the Department on an agreed-upon schedule not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of consultation. (3-24-22)

iii. Upon completion and submission of the assessment report or form by the system owner or operator, the Department will determine if the system has identified a likely cause for the Level 1 trigger and, if so, establish that the system has corrected the problem, or has included a schedule acceptable to the Department for correcting the problem. (3-24-22)

d. Level 2 Assessments. A system owner or operator must ensure that a Level 2 assessment is conducted if the system exceeds one of the treatment technique triggers in Subsection 305.01.b. The owner or operator must comply with any expedited actions or additional action required by the Department in the case of an E.coli MCL violation. (3-24-22)
i. The system owner or operator must ensure that a Level 2 assessment is conducted by the Department or a party approved by the Department as described in Subsection 305.03 as soon as practical after any trigger in Subsection 305.01.b. and must submit a completed Level 2 assessment report or form to the Department within 30 (thirty) days after the system learns that it has exceeded a trigger if the assessment was conducted by a party other than the Department. (3-24-22)

ii. The Department will schedule and conduct Level 2 assessments for an E.coli treatment technique trigger in Subsection 305.01.b.i. unless the Department approves another party to conduct the assessment as outlined in Subsection 305.03. (3-24-22)

iii. A second or any additional triggered Level 2 Assessment within a rolling twelve-month period must be conducted by a Department approved third party even if the public water system has staff or management approved under Subsection 305.03. (3-24-22)

iv. The completed assessment report or form must describe sanitary defects detected, corrective actions completed, and a proposed timetable for any corrective actions not already completed. The assessment report or form may also note that no sanitary defects were identified. (3-24-22)

v. If the Department reviews the completed Level 2 report or form and determines that the assessment is not sufficient (including any proposed timetable for any corrective actions not already completed), the Department will consult with the owner or operator of the system. If the Department requires revisions after consultation, the system owner or operator must submit a revised assessment report or form to the Department on an agreed-upon schedule not to exceed 30 (thirty) days from the date of consultation. (3-24-22)

vi. Upon completion and submission of the assessment report or form by the system owner or operator, the Department will determine if the system has identified a likely cause for the Level 2 trigger and, if so, establish that the system has corrected the problem, or has included a schedule acceptable to Department for correcting the problem. (3-24-22)

e. Corrective action. Systems must correct sanitary defects found through either Level 1 or Level 2 assessments conducted under this section. For corrections not completed by the time of submission of the assessment report or form, the system must complete the corrective action(s) in compliance with a timetable approved by the Department in consultation with the system. The system must notify the Department when each scheduled corrective action is completed. (3-24-22)

f. Consultation. At any time during the assessment or corrective action phase, either the water system or the Department may request a consultation with the other party to determine the appropriate actions to be taken. The system may consult with the Department on all relevant information that may impact its ability to comply with a requirement of this Section, including the method of accomplishment, an appropriate timeframe, and other relevant information. (3-24-22)

03. Approved Parties for Level 2 Assessments. The system may conduct a Level 2 assessment if the system has staff or management with the certification or qualifications outlined in this Subsection or if the system hires parties that meet the qualifications in this Subsection. The following parties are approved by the Department to conduct Level 2 assessments: (3-24-22)

a. The Department or persons contracted with the Department who are trained to conduct sanitary surveys; (3-24-22)

b. Currently licensed operators in good standing that are licensed through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses with a drinking water classification of Distribution I through IV or Treatment I through IV and that are licensed at least to the classification level of the public water system requiring the Level 2 assessment; or (3-24-22)

c. Licensed professional engineers licensed by the state of Idaho and qualified by education and experience in the specific technical fields involved in these rules. (3-24-22)

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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