Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024
(a) Each system shall complete the applicable
corrosion control treatment requirements found in subdivision (c) of this
section unless it is deemed to have optimized corrosion control as provided
under subdivision (b) of this section.
(b)
Optimized corrosion control.
A system is deemed to have optimized corrosion control
and is not required to complete the applicable corrosion control treatment
steps identified in this section if the water system satisfies the criteria
specified in one of the paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subdivision. Any
such system deemed to have optimized corrosion control under this subdivision,
and which has treatment in place, shall continue to operate and maintain
optimal corrosion control treatment and meet any requirements that the State
determines appropriate to ensure optimal corrosion control treatment is
maintained.
(1) Any water system that
serves 50,000 or fewer people is considered to have optimal corrosion control
treatment if the water system meets the lead and copper action levels during
each of two consecutive six-month monitoring periods conducted in accordance
with section
5-1.42
of this Subpart.
(2) Any water
system may be deemed by the State to have optimized corrosion control treatment
if the system demonstrates to the satisfaction of the State that it has
conducted activities equivalent to applicable corrosion control steps. Water
systems deemed to have optimized corrosion control under this paragraph shall
operate in compliance with State-designated optimal water quality parameters
and continue to conduct lead and copper tap and water quality parameter
sampling in accordance with sections
5-1.42(b)(3)
and
5-1.43(b)(3)
of this Subpart. A system shall provide information to the State to support a
determination under this subdivision which includes, but is not limited to:
(i) the results of all samples collected for
each of the water quality parameters in section
5-1.43
of this Subpar;
(ii) a report
explaining the test methods used by the water system to evaluate the corrosion
control treatments listed in subdivision (c)(3)(ii) of this section, the
results of all tests conducted, and the basis for the system's selection of
optimal corrosion control treatment;
(iii) a report explaining how corrosion
control has been installed and how it is being maintained to insure minimal
lead and copper concentrations at consumers' taps; and
(iv) the results of first draw lead and
copper tap water samples collected in accordance with section
5-1.42
of this Subpart for two consecutive six-month monitoring periods after
corrosion control has been installed.
(3) A water system is deemed to have
optimized corrosion control if it meets the copper action level and can
demonstrate:
(i) the difference between the
results of the 90th percentile tap water lead level and the highest source
water lead level is less than 0.005 mg/L for two consecutive six-month
monitoring periods. The 90th percentile tap water lead level shall be sampled
in accordance with section
5-1.42
of this Subpart and source water lead level shall be sampled in accordance with
section
5-1.44
of this Subpar; and
(ii) a system's
highest source water lead level is below the method detection limit, and the
90th percentile tap water lead level is less than or equal to 0.005 mg/L for
two consecutive 6-month monitoring periods.
(4) Any water system deemed to have optimized
corrosion control in accordance with this section shall continue monitoring for
lead and copper in tap water no less frequently than once every three calendar
years using the reduced number of sites specified in section
5-1.42(a)(3)
of this Subpart and collecting the samples at times and locations specified in
section
5-1.42(c)
of this Subpart, unless it meets the requirements for a nine year waiver as
specified in section
5-1.42(f)
of this Subpart.
(5) Any system
triggered into corrosion control because it is no longer deemed to have
optimized corrosion control under this section shall implement corrosion
control treatment in accordance with the deadlines in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section. Any such system serving more than 50,000 persons shall adhere to the
schedule specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section for systems serving
50,000 or fewer persons, with the time periods for completing each step being
triggered by the date the system is no longer deemed to have optimized
corrosion control under this section.
(6) Any water system deemed to have optimized
corrosion control shall notify the State in writing, pursuant of section
5-1.48(i)
of this Subpart, of any upcoming long-term change in treatment or addition of a
new source. The water system shall obtain approval from the State before
implementing the addition of a new source or long-term change in water
treatment. The State may require any such system to conduct additional
monitoring or to take other action the State deems appropriate to ensure that
such systems maintain minimal levels of corrosion in the distribution
system.
(c)
Corrosion control treatment steps and deadlines.
(1) A system serving more than 50,000 persons
shall complete the following corrosion control treatment steps, unless it is
deemed to have optimized corrosion control as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and
(3) of this section:
(i) Step 1. The water
system shall conduct initial first draw lead and copper tap sampling and water
quality parameter sampling in accordance with sections
5-1.42
and
5-1.43
of this Subpart. If the lead or copper action level exceeds the 90th
percentile, the water system shall conduct source water sampling in accordance
with section
5-1.44
of this Subpart within a schedule specified by the State.
(ii) Step 2. The water system shall complete
corrosion control studies as specified by the State within 18 months after the
end of the monitoring period during which the system exceeds one of the action
levels.
(iii) Step 3. The water
system shall install optimal corrosion control treatment within 24 months after
the State designates such treatment.
(iv) Step 4. After installation of optimal
corrosion control treatment, the water system shall complete first draw lead
and copper tap sampling and water quality parameter follow-up sampling in
accordance with sections
5-1.42(b)(2)
and
5-1.43(b)(2)
of this Subpart during the two consecutive six-month monitoring periods
immediately following installation of treatment.
(v) Step 5. After State designation of water
quality parameters for optimal corrosion control treatment, the water system
shall operate in compliance with State-designated optimal water quality
parameter values in accordance with subdivision (g) of this section; and
continue to conduct first draw lead and copper tap sampling and water quality
parameter sampling in accordance with sections
5-1.42(b)(3)
and
5-1.43(b)(3)
of this Subpart.
(2)
Systems serving 50,000 or fewer persons. Except as provided in subdivision (b)
of this section, a system that serves 50,000 or fewer persons shall complete
the following corrosion control treatment steps:
(i) Step 1. The water system shall conduct
initial first draw lead and copper tap sampling in accordance with section
5-1.42
within a schedule specified by the State. If the lead or copper action level is
exceeded at the 90th percentile the water system shall conduct water quality
parameter sampling and source water sampling in accordance with sections
5-1.43
and
5-1.44.
(ii) Step 2. The water system shall recommend
optimal corrosion control treatment within six months after the end of the
monitoring period during which the system exceeds one of the action levels.
Within 12 months after the end of the monitoring period during which a system
exceeds the lead or copper action level, the State may designate optimal
corrosion control treatment or require the system to perform corrosion control
studies. If the State requires corrosion control studies to be conducted, the
water system shall complete corrosion control studies as specified in paragraph
(3) of this subdivision.
(a) Systems serving
populations greater than 3,300 but less than 50,000 shall perform such studies
within 18 months after the end of the monitoring period during which the system
exceeds the lead or copper action level.
(b) Systems serving 3,300 or fewer persons
shall perform such studies within 24 months after the end of the monitoring
period during which the system exceeds the lead or copper action
level.
(iii) Step 3. The
water system shall install optimal corrosion control treatment within 24 months
after the State designates such treatment.
(iv) Step 4. After installation of optimal
corrosion control treatment, the water system shall complete first draw lead
and copper tap sampling and water quality parameter follow-up sampling in
accordance with sections
5-1.42(b)(2)
and
5-1.43(b)(2)
of this Subpart during the two consecutive six-month monitoring periods
immediately following installation of treatment.
(v) Step 5. After State designation of water
quality parameters for optimal corrosion control treatment, the water system
shall operate in compliance with State-designated optimal water quality
parameter values in accordance with subdivision (g) of this section; and
continue to conduct first draw lead and copper tap sampling and water quality
parameter sampling in accordance with sections
5-1.42(b)(3)
and
5-1.43(b)(3)
of this Subpart.
(3)
Content of corrosion control studies. Corrosion control studies shall follow
methods that include but are not limited to the following:
(i) an evaluation of the effectiveness of
each of the following treatments, and, if appropriate, combinations of the
following treatments using standard engineering tests on other systems of
similar size, water chemistry and distribution system configuration:
(a) alkalinity and pH adjustment;
(b) calcium hardness adjustment;
and
(c) the addition of a phosphate
or silicate based corrosion inhibitor at a concentration sufficient to maintain
an effective residual concentration in all test tap samples;
(ii) measurements of appropriate
water quality parameters to assess performance of corrosion control including:
lead; copper; pH; alkalinity; calcium; conductivity; temperature; silica or
orthophosphate;
(iii) an assessment
of effectiveness of treatment including the potential for adverse effects on
other water quality treatment processes; and
(iv) identification of the optimal corrosion
control treatment(s) for the system, including a rationale of the treatment
steps for consideration by the State.
(4) Conditions for ceasing treatment steps.
Any water system that serves 50,000 or fewer people and that is required to
complete the corrosion control steps due to its exceedance of the lead or
copper action level, may cease completing the treatment steps whenever the
water system meets both action levels during each of two consecutive six-month
monitoring periods. The lead and copper results from both monitoring periods
shall be submitted to the State for approval for ceasing treatment steps. If an
action level is exceeded in a later monitoring period the water system shall
complete the remaining applicable treatment steps.
(d)
Designation of optimal corrosion
control treatment.
Based upon consideration of available information
including, where applicable, corrosion control studies performed under
subdivision (c) of this section and a system's proposed treatment alternative,
the State will either:
(1) approve the
corrosion control treatment option recommended by the system; or
(2) require alternative corrosion control
treatment(s) as specified by the State. The State may also ask for additional
information or modifications.
(e)
Installation of optimal corrosion
control.
Each system shall properly install and operate throughout
its distribution system the optimal corrosion control treatment(s) approved by
the State under subdivision (d) of this section.
(f)
State review of treatment and
designation of optimal water quality control parameters.
Based upon a review of the results of lead and copper tap
water samples and water quality parameter samples submitted to the State by the
water system from both before and after the installation of optimal corrosion
control treatment, the State shall determine whether the system has properly
installed and operated the optimal corrosion control treatment, and designate
water quality parameter values, or a range of values, within which the system
must operate. Such water parameters shall include:
(1) a minimum value or a range of values for
pH measured at each entry point to the distribution system;
(2) a minimum pH value, measured in all tap
samples. Such value shall be equal to or greater than 7.0, unless the State
determines that meeting a pH level of 7.0 is not technologically feasible or is
not necessary for the system to optimize corrosion control;
(3) if a corrosion inhibitor is used, a
minimum concentration or a range of concentrations for the inhibitor, measured
at each entry point to the distribution system and in all tap samples, that the
State determines is necessary to form a passivating film on the interior walls
of the pipes of the distribution system;
(4) if alkalinity is adjusted as part of
optimal corrosion control treatment, a minimum concentration or a range of
concentrations for alkalinity, measured at each entry point to the distribution
system and in all tap samples; and
(5) if calcium carbonate stabilization is
used as part of corrosion control, a minimum concentration or a range of
concentrations for calcium, measured in all tap samples.
The values for the applicable water quality control
parameters listed above shall be those that the State determines to reflect
optimal corrosion control treatment for the system. The State may designate
values for additional water quality control parameters determined by the State
to reflect optimal corrosion control for the system. The State shall notify the
system in writing of these determinations and explain the basis for its
decisions.
(g)
Continued operation and maintenance.
(1) All systems optimizing corrosion control
shall continue to operate and maintain optimal corrosion control treatment,
including maintaining water quality parameters at or above minimum values or
within ranges designated by the State under subdivision (f) of this section for
all samples collected in accordance with sections
5-1.43(b)(3)
and (c) of this Subpart. Compliance with the
requirements of this paragraph shall be determined every six months, as
specified in section
5-1.42(b)(3)
of this Subpart. A water system is out of compliance with the requirements of
this paragraph if it has excursions for any State-designated parameter on more
than nine days during any six-month period. An excursion occurs whenever the
daily value for one or more of the water quality parameters measured at a
sampling location is below the minimum value or outside the range designated by
the State. The State has the discretion to delete results of obvious sampling
errors from this calculation. Daily values are calculated as follows:
(i) On days when more than one measurement
for the water quality parameter is collected at the sampling location, the
daily value shall be the average of all results collected during the day
regardless of whether they are collected through continuous monitoring, grab
sampling, or a combination of both.
(ii) On days when only one measurement for
the water quality parameter is collected at the sampling location, the daily
value shall be the result of that measurement.
(iii) On days when no measurement is
collected for the water quality parameter at the sampling location, the daily
value shall be the daily value calculated on the most recent day on which the
water quality parameter was measured at the sample site.
(2) Modification of State treatment
decisions. A water system may request a modification of its State designated
optimal corrosion control treatment. The request shall be submitted in writing
and include the reason for the modification along with supporting
data.