Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 58 - Environmental Quality, Department of
Rule 58.01.16 - WASTEWATER RULES
Section 58.01.16.010 - DEFINITIONS

01. Available. Based on public wastewater system size, complexity, and variation in raw waste, a licensed wastewater operator must be on site, on call, or able to be contacted as needed to initiate the appropriate action for normal or emergency conditions in a timely manner. (3-31-22)

02. Adequate Emergency Storage Capacity. The emergency storage capacity of a lift station wet well is the volume of the wet well measured between the high water alarm and the gravity sewer invert into the wet well. The collection system shall not be used in the calculation for emergency storage. For the purpose of this definition, "adequate" is defined as twice the estimated emergency response time multiplied by the peak hour flow to the wet well. The high water alarm shall be placed at an elevation below the wet well invert sufficient to achieve the defined volumetric emergency storage capacity. (3-31-22)

03. Average Day Flow. The average day flow is the average of daily volumes to be received for a continuous twelve (12) month period expressed as a volume per unit time. However, the average day flow for design purposes for facilities having critical seasonal high hydraulic loading periods, such as recreational areas or industrial facilities, shall be based on the average day flow during the seasonal period. See also the definition of Wastewater Flows. (3-31-22)

04. Beneficial Use. Any of the various uses which may be made of the water of Idaho, including, but not limited to, domestic water supplies, industrial water supplies, agricultural water supplies, navigation, recreation in and on the water, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics. The beneficial use is dependent upon actual use, the ability of the water to support a non-existing use either now or in the future, and its likelihood of being used in a given manner. The use of water for the purpose of wastewater dilution or as a receiving water for a waste treatment facility effluent is not a beneficial use. (3-31-22)

05. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The measure of the amount of oxygen necessary to satisfy the biochemical oxidation requirements of organic materials at the time the sample is collected; unless otherwise specified, this term will mean the five (5) day BOD incubated at twenty (20) degrees C. (3-31-22)

06. Blackwaste. Human body waste, such as excreta or urine. This includes toilet paper and other products used in the practice of personal hygiene. (3-31-22)

07. Blackwater. A wastewater whose principal pollutant is blackwaste; a combination of blackwaste and water. (3-31-22)

08. Board. The Idaho Board of Environmental Quality. (3-31-22)

09. Capacity. The capabilities required of a wastewater system in order to achieve and maintain compliance with these rules. It is divided into three (3) main elements: (3-31-22)

10. Class A Effluent. Class A effluent is treated municipal reclaimed wastewater that must be oxidized, coagulated, clarified, and filtered, or treated by an equivalent process and adequately disinfected. For comprehensive Class A Effluent criteria and permitting requirements refer to IDAPA 58.01.17, "Recycled Water Rules." (3-31-22)

11. Class A Effluent Distribution System. The delivery system for Class A effluent. The distribution system does not include any of the collection or treatment portions of the wastewater facility and is not subject to operator licensing requirements in Section 203 of these rules. (3-31-22)

12. Collection System. That portion of the wastewater system or treatment facility in which wastewater is received from the premises of the discharger and conveyed to the point of treatment through a series of lines, pipes, manholes, pumps/lift stations and other appurtenances. (3-31-22)

13. Compliance Schedule or Compliance Agreement Schedule. A schedule of remedial and preventative measures and sequence of actions leading to compliance with a regulation, statute or rule, enforceable as set forth in Sections 39-116 and 39-116A, Idaho Code, respectively. (3-31-22)

14. Department. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. (3-31-22)

15. Design Flow. The critical flow used for steady-state wasteload allocation modeling. (3-31-22)

16. Designated Beneficial Use or Designated Use. Those beneficial uses assigned to identify waters in Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Rules, IDAPA 58.01.02, "Water Quality Standards," Sections 110 through 160, whether or not the uses are being attained. (3-31-22)

17. Director. The Director of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality or his authorized agent. (3-31-22)

18. Discharge. When used without qualification, any spilling, leaking, emitting, escaping, leaching, or disposing of a pollutant into the waters of the state. (3-31-22)

19. Disinfection. A method of reducing the pathogenic or objectionable organisms by means of chemicals or other acceptable means. (3-31-22)

20. Disposal Facility. Any facility used for disposal of any wastewater. Facilities for the disposal of sludge are regulated under Section 650 of these rules. (3-31-22)

21. Effluent. Any treated wastewater discharged from a treatment facility. (3-31-22)

22. Environmental Review. An environmental review document for a specific project includes a description of purpose and need for the project; a description of the affected environment and environmental impacts including, but not limited to, endangered species, historical and archaeological impacts, air impacts, surface and ground water impacts, and noise and visual impacts; a description of the planned mitigation for these impacts; and descriptions of the public process, agencies consulted, referenced documents, and a mailing list of interested parties. A checklist, which can be used as guidance, can be found on the DEQ website at http://www.deq.idaho.gov. This checklist is for Department grant and loan projects, but can be used in part or in whole as a guide. (3-31-22)

23. EPA. The United States Environmental Protection Agency. (3-31-22)

24. Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). A measure where one (1) unit is equivalent to wastewater generated from one (1) single-family detached housing unit. For example, a business generating three (3) times as much wastewater as an average single-family detached housing unit would be considered three (3) equivalent dwelling units. (3-31-22)

25. Facility Plan. The facility plan for a municipal wastewater treatment and disposal facility describes the overall system, including the collection system, the treatment systems, and the disposal systems. It is a comprehensive planning document for the existing infrastructure and includes the plan for the future of the systems, including upgrades and additions. It is usually updated on a regular basis due to anticipated or unanticipated growth patterns, regulatory requirements, or other infrastructure needs. A Facility Plan is sometimes referred to as a master plan or facilities planning study. In general, a Facility Plan is an overall system-wide plan as opposed to a project specific plan. (3-31-22)

26. Facility and Design Standards. Facility and design standards are described in Sections 400 through 599 of these rules. Facility and design standards found in Sections 400 through 599 of these rules must be followed in the planning, design, construction, and review of municipal wastewater facilities. (3-31-22)

27. Geometric Mean. The geometric mean of "n" quantities is the "nth" root of the product of the quantities. (3-31-22)

28. Gray Water. Domestic wastewater that does not contain wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, cloth washing machines, and water softeners. (3-31-22)

29. Ground Water. Any water of the state which occurs beneath the surface of the earth in a saturated geological formation of rock or soil. (3-31-22)

30. Industrial Wastewater. Any waste, together with such water as is present, that is the by-product of industrial processes including, but not limited to, food processing or food washing wastewater. (3-31-22)

31. Land Application. A process or activity involving application of wastewater, surface water, or semi-liquid material to the land surface for the purpose of disposal, pollutant removal, or ground water recharge. (3-31-22)

32. License. A physical document issued by the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses certifying that an individual has met the appropriate qualifications and has been granted the authority to practice in Idaho under the provisions of Chapter 24, Title 54, Idaho Code. (3-31-22)

33. Major Wastewater Collection System Project. A wastewater collection system project that is not a simple wastewater main extension. (3-31-22)

34. Material Deviation. A change from the design plans that significantly alters the type or location of facilities, requires engineering judgment to design, or impacts the public safety or welfare. (3-31-22)

35. Material Modification. Material modifications are those that are intended to increase system capacity or to alter the methods or processes employed. Any project that increases the pumping capacity of a system, increases the potential population served by the system or the number of service connections within the system, adds new or alters existing wastewater system components, or affects the wastewater flow of the system is considered to be increasing system capacity or altering the methods or processes employed. Maintenance and repair performed on the system and the replacement of valves, pumps, or other similar items with new items of the same size and type are not considered a material modification. (3-31-22)

36. Maximum Day Flow. The design maximum day flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during a continuous twenty four (24) hour period expressed as a volume per unit time. See also Wastewater Flows. (3-31-22)

37. Maximum Month Flow. The maximum month flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during any calendar month expressed as a volume per unit time. See also the definition of Wastewater Flows. (3-31-22)

38. Mixing Zone. A defined area or volume of the receiving water surrounding or adjacent to a wastewater discharge where the receiving water, as a result of the discharge, may not meet all applicable water quality criteria or standards. It is considered a place where wastewater mixes with receiving water and not as a place where effluents are treated. (3-31-22)

39. Municipal Wastewater. Unless otherwise specified, sewage and associated solids, whether treated or untreated, together with such water that is present. Also called domestic wastewater. Industrial wastewater may also be present, but is not considered part of the definition. (3-31-22)

40. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Point source permitting program established pursuant to Section 402 of the federal Clean Water Act. (3-31-22)

41. Natural Background Conditions. No measurable change in the physical, chemical, biological, or radiological conditions existing in a water body without human sources of pollution within the watershed. (3-31-22)

42. Non-Contact Cooling Water. Water used to reduce temperature which does not come into direct contact with any raw material, intermediate product, waste product (other than heat) or finished product. Non-contact cooling water is not considered wastewater. Non-contact cooling water can be land applied as recharge water as discussed in Section 600 based on a Department approval as described in Subsections 600.04 and 600.05. (3-31-22)

43. Nuisance. Anything which is injurious to the public health or an obstruction to the free use, in the customary manner, of any waters of the state. (3-31-22)

44. Nutrients. The major substances necessary for the growth and reproduction of aquatic plant life, consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon compounds. (3-31-22)

45. Non-Potable Mains. The pipelines that collect and convey non-potable discharges from or to multiple service connections. Examples would include sewage collection and interceptor mains, storm sewers, non-potable irrigation mains, and reclaimed wastewater mains. (3-31-22)

46. Non-Potable Services. The pipelines that convey non-potable discharges from individual facilities to a connection with the non-potable main. This term also refers to pipelines that convey non-potable water from a pressurized irrigation system, reclaimed wastewater system, and other non-potable systems to individual consumers. (3-31-22)

47. Operating Personnel. Any person who is employed, retained, or appointed to conduct the tasks associated with the day-to-day operation and maintenance of a public wastewater system. Operating personnel shall include every person making system control or system integrity decisions about water quantity or water quality that may affect public health. (3-31-22)

48. Owner. The person, company, corporation, district, association or other organizational entity that owns the public wastewater system, and who provides, or intends to provide, wastewater service to system users and is ultimately responsible for the public wastewater system operation. (3-31-22)

49. Peak Instantaneous Flow. The design peak instantaneous flow is the instantaneous maximum flow rate to be received. See also the definition of Wastewater Flows. (3-31-22)

50. Peak Hour Flow. The design peak hour flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during a one (1) hour period expressed as a volume per unit time. See also the definition of Wastewater Flows. (3-31-22)

51. Person. An individual, public or private corporation, partnership, association, firm, joint stock company, joint venture, trust, estate, state, municipality, commission, political subdivision of the state, state or federal agency, department or instrumentality, special district, interstate body or any legal entity, which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. (3-31-22)

52. Point Source. Any discernible, confined, and discrete conveyance, including, but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are, or may be, discharged to surface waters of the state. This term does not include return flows from irrigated agriculture, discharges from dams and hydroelectric generating facilities or any source or activity considered a nonpoint source by definition. (3-31-22)

53. Pollutant. Dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical waste, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, silt, cellar dirt; and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste, gases entrained in water; or other materials which, when discharged to water in excessive quantities, cause or contribute to water pollution. Provided however, biological materials shall not include live or occasional dead fish that may accidentally escape into the waters of the state from aquaculture facilities. (3-31-22)

54. Potable Water. A water which is free from impurities in such amounts that it is safe for human consumption without treatment. (3-31-22)

55. Potable Mains. Pipelines that deliver potable water to multiple service connections. (3-31-22)

56. Potable Service. Pipelines that convey potable water from a connection to the potable water main across private property to individual consumers. (3-31-22)

57. Preliminary Engineering Report. The preliminary engineering report for the municipal wastewater treatment or disposal facility is the report that addresses specific portions of the systems as they are being contemplated for design. These reports address specific purpose and scope, design requirements, alternative solutions, costs, operation and maintenance requirements, and other requirements as described in Section 411. Preliminary engineering reports are generally project specific as opposed to an overall system-wide plan, such as a facility plan. (3-31-22)

58. Primary Treatment. Processes or methods that serve as the first stage treatment of wastewater, intended for removal of suspended and settleable solids by gravity sedimentation; provides no changes in dissolved and colloidal matter in the sewage or wastes flow. (3-31-22)

59. Private Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. A wastewater facility that treats municipal wastewater and is under private ownership. These systems are typically initially owned, operated, and maintained by a developer with the ownership, operation and maintenance transferring to a homeowners association, or similar entity as lots are sold within the development. (3-31-22)

60. Public Wastewater System or Wastewater System. A public wastewater system or wastewater system is any publicly or privately owned collection system or treatment system that generates, collects, treats, or disposes of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more gallons of wastewater per day. This does not include: (3-31-22)

61. Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (QLPE). A professional engineer licensed by the state of Idaho; qualified by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved in these rules; and retained or employed by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility for the purposes of plan and specification review. (3-31-22)

62. Quasi-Municipal Corporation. A public entity, other than community government, created or authorized by the legislature to aid the state in, or to take charge of, some public or state work for the general welfare. For the purpose of these rules, this term refers to wastewater or sewer districts. (3-31-22)

63. Receiving Waters. Those waters which receive pollutants from point or nonpoint sources. (3-31-22)

64. Recharge. The process of adding water to the zone of saturation. (3-31-22)

65. Recharge Water. Water that is specifically utilized for the purpose of adding water to the zone of saturation. (3-31-22)

66. Redundancy. Redundancy for wastewater treatment and disposal facilities is generally focused on supplying or installing backup equipment and facilities to make the operation of the systems more reliable. These redundant systems are sometimes required to provide backup for emergencies, taking certain processes off-line, or for treating spikes in wastewater flow or strength. (3-31-22)

67. Reliability. Reliability for wastewater collection and treatment and disposal facilities is usually based on its ability to consistently handle the wastewater flows in the community and to meet the requirements of its permit. This reliability is in part based on the redundancy built into the wastewater infrastructure and proper maintenance of the system. (3-31-22)

68. Reasonably Accessible. The following criteria shall be used to determine whether a project proposing a new private municipal wastewater treatment plant, or a material modification or expansion of an existing private municipal wastewater treatment plant, is reasonably accessible to a public municipal wastewater collection system. (3-31-22)

69. Responsible Charge (RC). For purposes of Sections 202 through 204, responsible charge means, active, daily on-site or on-call responsibility for the performance of operations or active, on-going, on-site or on-call direction of employees and assistants. (3-31-22)

70. Responsible Charge Operator. For purposes of Sections 202 through 204, a responsible charge operator is an operator licensed at a class equal to or greater than the classification of the system and who has been designated by the system owner to have direct supervision of and responsibility for the performance of operations of a specified wastewater treatment system(s) or wastewater collection system(s) and the direction of personnel employed or retained at the same system. The responsible charge operator has an active daily on-site or on-call presence at the specified facility. (3-31-22)

71. Reuse. The use of reclaimed wastewater for beneficial uses including, but not limited to, land treatment, irrigation, ground water recharge using surface spreading, seepage ponds, or other unlined surface water features. (3-31-22)

72. Reviewing Authority. For those projects requiring preconstruction approval by the Department, the Department is the reviewing authority. For those projects allowing for preconstruction approval by others, pursuant to Subsection 400.03.b. of these rules, the Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (QLPE) is also the reviewing authority. (3-31-22)

73. Sanitary Sewer Extension. As used in Section 400, an extension of an existing wastewater collection system that does not require a lift station or force main and is intended to increase the service area of the wastewater collection system. (3-31-22)

74. Secondary Treatment. Processes or methods for the supplemental treatment of wastewater, usually following primary treatment, to affect additional improvement in the quality of the treated wastes by biological means of various types which are designed to remove or modify organic matter. (3-31-22)

75. Septage. Septage is a general term for the contents removed from septic tanks, portable vault toilets, privy vaults, wastewater holding tanks, very small wastewater treatment plants, or semi-public facilities (i.e., schools, motels, mobile home parks, campgrounds, small commercial endeavors) receiving wastewater from domestic sources. Non-domestic (industrial) wastes are not included in this definition. This does not include drinking water treatment residuals that may be held in a holding tank. (3-31-22)

76. Septage Transfer Station. A place where septage from more than one (1) hauler is accumulated for collection and subsequent removal without processing to a treatment facility. (3-31-22)

77. Sewage. The water-carried human or animal waste from residences, buildings, industrial establishments or other places, together with such ground water infiltration and surface water as may be present. (3-31-22)

78. Simple Wastewater Main Extension. New or replacement wastewater main(s) that require plan and specification review per these rules and that will be connected by gravity, without the use of pumps or lift stations, to existing wastewater collection facilities that have the capacity to carry the additional wastewater flow. (3-31-22)

79. Sludge. The semi-liquid mass produced and removed by the wastewater treatment process. (3-31-22)

80. Special Resource Water. Those specific segments or bodies of water which are recognized as needing intensive protection: (3-31-22)

81. State. The state of Idaho. (3-31-22)

82. Substitute Responsible Charge Operator. A public wastewater operator holding a valid license at a class equal to or greater than the public wastewater system classification, designated by the system owner to replace and to perform the duties of the responsible charge operator when the responsible charge operator is not available or accessible. (3-31-22)

83. Surface Water Body. All surface accumulations of water, natural or artificial, public or private, or parts thereof which are wholly or partially within, which flow through or border upon the state. This includes, but is not limited to, rivers, streams, canals, ditches, lakes, and ponds. It does not include private waters as defined in Section 42-212, Idaho Code. (3-31-22)

84. Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The sum of the individual wasteload allocations (WLAs) for point sources, load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources, and natural background. Such load shall be established at a level necessary to implement the applicable water quality standards with seasonal variations and a margin of safety which takes into account any lack of knowledge concerning the relationship between effluent limitations and water quality. (3-31-22)

85. Treatment. A process or activity conducted for the purpose of removing pollutants from wastewater. (3-31-22)

86. Treatment Facility. Any physical facility or land area for the purpose of collecting, treating, neutralizing or stabilizing pollutants including treatment plants; the necessary collecting, intercepting, outfall and outlet sewers; pumping stations integral to such plants or sewers; disposal or reuse facilities; equipment and furnishing thereof; and their appurtenances. For the purpose of these rules, a treatment facility may also be known as a treatment system, a wastewater system, wastewater treatment system, wastewater treatment facility, or wastewater treatment plant. (3-31-22)

87. User. Any person served by a public wastewater system. (3-31-22)

88. Very Small Wastewater System. A public wastewater system that serves five hundred (500) connections or less and includes a collection system with a system size of six (6) points or less on the system classification rating form (Section 202) and is limited to only one (1) of the following wastewater treatment processes: (3-31-22)

89. Wastewater. Any combination of liquid or water and pollutants from activities and processes occurring in dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial plants, institutions and other establishments, together with any ground water, surface water, and storm water that may be present; liquid or water that is chemically, biologically, physically or rationally identifiable as containing blackwater, gray water or commercial or industrial pollutants; and sewage. (3-31-22)

90. Wastewater Flows. The following flows for the design year shall be identified as required and used as a basis for design of sewer systems including sewer mains, lift stations, wastewater treatment plants, treatment units, and other wastewater handling facilities. The definition contained in this Subsection applies where any of the terms defined in Paragraphs a. through e. are used in these rules. (3-31-22)

91. Wastewater Lagoon. Manmade impoundments for the purpose of storing or treating wastewater. (3-31-22)

92. Wastewater Pipelines. The pipelines that collect and convey non-potable discharges from or to multiple service connections. (3-31-22)

93. Wastewater Pumping Station. A wastewater facility that collects wastewater from the collection system or the treatment system and pumps it to a higher elevation. Also called lift station or wastewater lift station. (3-31-22)

94. Wastewater System Operator. The person who is employed, retained, or appointed to conduct the tasks associated with routine day to day operation and maintenance of a public wastewater treatment or collection system in order to safeguard the public health and environment. (3-31-22)

95. Water Main Extension. An extension of the distribution system of an existing public water system that does not require a booster pumping station and is intended to increase the service area of the water system. (3-31-22)

96. Water Pollution. Any alteration of the physical, thermal, chemical, biological, or radioactive properties of any waters of the state, or the discharge of any pollutant into the waters of the state, which will or is likely to create a nuisance or to render such waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, safety or welfare, or to fish and wildlife, or to domestic, commercial, industrial, recreational, aesthetic, or other beneficial uses. (3-31-22)

97. Waters and Waters of the State. All the accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural and artificial, public and private, or parts thereof which are wholly or partially within, which flow through or border upon the state. (3-31-22)

98. Watershed. The land area from which water flows into a stream or other body of water which drains the area. (3-31-22)