Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 860 - PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
Division 37 - WASTEWATER SERVICE REGULATION FOR JOINT WATER/WASTEWATER UTILITIES
Section 860-037-0065 - Design, Construction, and Operation

(1) The wastewater utility owner is responsible and liable for meeting the requirements for all applicable laws, rules, and codes and for the wastewater (sewage) that passes through the collection, treatment, and disposal plants.

(2) The wastewater utility owner is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all permits, licenses, approvals, design, equipment and materials selection, installation, testing, operation, and maintenance of the complete wastewater system.

(3) Each wastewater utility shall maintain and operate wastewater treatment facilities of adequate size and properly equipped to collect, transport, and treat wastewater, and discharge the effluent at the degree of purity required by the health laws of the DEQ, and all federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and authorities having jurisdiction over such matters.

(4) All materials used in construction of a wastewater system must be structurally sound, durable, and capable of withstanding normal stresses incidental to installation and operation, and will meet or exceed the industry established standards, codes, and requirements of entities having such authority.

(5) Wastewater treatment facilities shall be constructed, installed, maintained, and operated in accordance with accepted engineering practice to assure, as far as reasonably possible, continuity of service, uniformity in the quality of service furnished, and the safety of persons and property.

(6) While prudently managing costs, the design and construction of the wastewater utility's collecting main lines, treatment plant and facilities, and all additions thereto and modifications thereof, shall meet or exceed the requirements of all regulatory authorities, construction codes, and industry standards.

(7) The capacity of the treatment facilities for the collection, treatment, and disposal of wastewater and wastewater effluent must be sufficiently sized to meet all normal demands for service and provide reasonable reserve for emergencies.

(8) Each wastewater utility shall adopt procedures for inspection of its plant and facilities to assure safe and adequate operation and shall make inspections of its plant on a regular basis. The procedures shall be filed with the Commission. The wastewater utility shall maintain a record of inspections, findings, and corrective action required and/or taken, by location and date.

(9) All components of the wastewater system must be operated and maintained so as not to create a public health hazard or cause water pollution, and without interruption, sewage spills, sewage backup, or other unhealthful conditions.