Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 6, September 16, 2024
(a) If the proposed
source is from an existing approved public water supply system, the provisions
of Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this Rule shall not apply.
(b) If the proposed source is a well, the
provisions of
15A NCAC
18C, Rules Governing Public Water Supplies,
shall apply. Copies are available upon request from the Public Water Supply
Section.
(c) If the proposed source
is a spring, source approval is reviewed in a two step process. The first step
is approval of the spring site. A representative of the Department of
Environmental Quality shall conduct an initial site investigation.
Consideration shall be given to spring location, potential for surface water
influence, hydrological and geological features, proximity of potential sources
of pollution, and site ownership and control.
(1) If the investigation reveals influence by
surface water or other factors which render the site unsuitable for development
as a safe water source, the investigation shall be terminated.
(2) If the investigation does not reveal
influence by surface waters, and all other factors as set forth in this Rule
are considered satisfactory for site development, the provisions of Paragraph
(d) of this Rule shall apply.
(3)
If the investigation reveals factors set forth in this Rule which warrant
further investigation, the Department of Environmental Quality may require, as
a condition for continued investigation, evaluation of the site or specific
factors influencing the site by a geologist or engineer licensed to practice in
North Carolina. If the Department of Environmental Quality determines that the
investigation and report illustrate that the questionable factors do not hinder
the suitability of the site to produce a safe water source, the provisions of
Paragraph (d) of this Rule shall apply.
(d) In the second step of the spring
investigation, spring water shall be sampled and data collected to determine
the capability of source water to meet current North Carolina drinking water
quality standards under the most severe anticipated environmental conditions.
The following requirements shall apply to the water sampling and data
collection process:
(1) Sampling and data
collection shall be conducted by the spring owner or his representative for the
following parameters:
(A) Flow in gallons per
minute (on-site measurement);
(B)
Precipitation in inches (on-site measurement);
(C) Temperature (on-site
measurement);
(D) pH;
(E) Conductivity;
(F) Turbidity;
(G) Coliform bacteria; and
(H) Microscopic analysis for organic debris,
larvae, animal or insect parts, algae, diatoms, rotifers, coccidia and giardia
cysts.
(2) The minimum
sampling and data collection period shall be six consecutive months. The period
shall also include a minimum of two storm events (two or more inches of
rainfall in a 24-hour period). It is the owner's responsibility to monitor
rainfall in the vicinity of the spring site.
(3) Water samples for parameters (1)(A)
through (1)(F) of this Paragraph shall be collected and analyzed at least
weekly on the same day of the week before a storm event occurs. After a storm
event occurs, water samples for parameters (1)(A) through (1)(F) of this
Paragraph shall be collected and analyzed within 24 hours and then twice a week
for two weeks. Water samples for parameter (1)(G) of this Paragraph shall be
collected and analyzed at least monthly and an additional sample shall be
collected and analyzed within 24 hours after each storm event. Water samples
for parameter (1)(H) of this Paragraph shall be measured at least two times
during the sampling period. The first analysis of water samples for parameter
(1)(H) of this Paragraph shall be conducted during the first month of the
sampling period, and at least one of the samples shall be collected within 24
hours of a storm event.
(4) The
owner may develop or begin to develop a spring before beginning the process of
sample collection and analysis. Unfavorable sample results shall not be
discounted on the basis of inadequate spring development at the time of sample
collection. If the owner intends to develop the spring in its final form before
monitoring, he shall complete the requirements of Paragraph (e) of this Rule
prior to construction.
(5) Water
sample collection and analysis shall be conducted in accordance with the
recommendations of the current edition of "Standard Methods for the Examination
of Water and Wastewater" which is adopted by reference at
02 NCAC
09B .0116(n), including
subsequent amendments and editions. Water sample analyses for parameters (1)(D)
through (1)(H) of this paragraph shall be conducted by a laboratory certified
by the State of North Carolina. . All measurements and sample results (with
attached laboratory analysis reports) shall be kept in a tabular form and
submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality at the end of the
monitoring period. Upon review of the data, sample results and sample analysis,
the Department of Environmental Quality shall determine the capability of the
source to meet current North Carolina drinking water quality standards. If the
water source is determined to be unsatisfactory, the investigation shall be
terminated. If the source is determined to be satisfactory, the provisions of
Paragraph (e) of this Rule shall apply.
(e) Plans and specifications for construction
of the source, protective covering, piping, and storage facilities shall be
submitted to the Department of Environmental Quality by an engineer licensed to
practice in the State of North Carolina for review and approval prior to
beginning construction or letting a contract for construction. For spring
sources, the plans and specifications may be presented by the licensed engineer
at any point during the process outlined in Paragraph (d) of this Rule. Springs
shall not be developed in their final form until plans and specifications for
the spring have been approved.
(f)
Neither the bottling of water nor the selling of water for bottling shall begin
until compliance with this Section has been completed and the Department of
Environmental Quality receives certification from an engineer licensed to
practice in North Carolina that the project has been constructed in accordance
with the approved plans and specifications.
Authority
G.S.
106-139;
Eff. April 1,
1992;
Readopted Eff. May 1, 2017.
