TITLE 9. ENVIRONMENT

STATE WATER CONTROL BOARD

Final Regulation

Title of Regulation: 9VAC25-740. Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation (amending 9VAC25-740-10, 9VAC25-740-30, 9VAC25-740-40 through 9VAC25-740-100, 9VAC25-740-110 through 9VAC25-740-180, 9VAC25-740-200; repealing 9VAC25-740-210).

Statutory Authority: § 62.1-44.15 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: November 23, 2022.

Agency Contact: Valerie Rourke, Department of Environmental Quality, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 1400, P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 774-9126, FAX (804) 698-4032, or email valerie.rourke@deq.virginia.gov.

Summary:

Pursuant to Chapter 356 of the 2022 Acts of Assembly, the amendments conform the regulation to a statutorily change shifting authority to issue and enforce permits from the State Water Control Board to the Department of Environmental Quality, including changing "board" to "department" and the definition of "board" and removing delegation of authority provisions.

9VAC25-740-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Beneficial use" means both instream and offstream uses. Instream beneficial uses include, but are not limited to, the protection of fish and wildlife resources and habitat, maintenance of waste assimilation, recreation, navigation, and cultural and aesthetic values. The preservation of instream flows for purposes of the protection of navigation, maintenance of waste assimilation capacity, the protection of fish and wildlife resources and habitat, recreation, cultural and aesthetic values is an instream beneficial use of Virginia's waters. Offstream beneficial uses include, but are not limited to, domestic (including public water supply), agricultural, electric power generation, commercial, and industrial uses.

"Biological nutrient removal" or "BNR" means treatment that achieves annual average concentrations less than or equal to 8.0 mg/l total nitrogen (N) and 1.0 mg/l total phosphorus (P).

"Board" means the Virginia State Water Control Board or State Water Control Board. When used outside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to establish general permits, "board" means the Department of Environmental Quality.

"Bulk irrigation reuse" means reuse of reclaimed water for irrigation of an area greater than five acres on one contiguous property.

"Conjunctive system" means a system consisting of a wastewater treatment works and reclamation system having no or minimal separation of treatment processes between the treatment works and the reclamation system.

"Controlled use" means a use of reclaimed water authorized in accordance with this chapter.

"Corrective action threshold" or "CAT" means a bacterial, turbidity, or total residual chlorine standard for reclaimed water at which measures shall be implemented to correct operational problems of the reclamation system within a specified period, or divert flow from the reclamation treatment process in accordance with this chapter.

"Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality.

"Design flow" means the capacity at which a treatment works is designed to reliably treat an average 24-hour influent flow rate, assessed over a period of a month for all months of operation within a year, including appropriate peak factors provided to meet applicable reliability and redundancy requirements. The average 24-hour influent flow rate shall be based on projected estimates of influent flow to be received by the treatment works.

"Designated design flow" means the design flow of a reclamation system that may be some percentage of or equal to the design flow of a treatment works providing source water to the reclamation system to produce reclaimed water.

"Direct beneficial use" means the use of reclaimed water in a manner protective of the environment and public health that involves transport of the reclaimed water from the point of reclamation treatment and production to the point of use without an intervening discharge to waters of the state.

"Direct injection" means the discharge of reclaimed water directly into groundwater.

"Direct potable reuse" means the discharge of reclaimed water directly into a drinking water treatment facility or into a drinking water distribution system. This includes storage facilities associated with the drinking water treatment facility or drinking water distribution system that are not surface or ground waters of the state.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality or an authorized representative.

"Disinfection" means the destruction, inactivation, or removal of pathogenic microorganisms by chemical, physical, or biological means. Disinfection may be accomplished by chlorination, ozonation, or other chemical disinfectants; UV radiation; or other processes.

"Disposal" means the discharge of effluent to injection wells, effluent outfalls, subsurface drain fields, or other facilities utilized primarily for the release of effluents into the environment without deriving a direct beneficial use.

"Domestic sewage" means sewage derived from the normal family or household activities, including drinking, laundering, bathing, cooking, heating, cleaning and flushing toilets.

"Drip irrigation" means the slow and uniform above-ground application of water to individual plants and vegetated cover using tubing and drip devices or emitters. Drip irrigation may include below-ground applications of reclaimed water as specified in 9VAC25-740-90 B.

"Effluent," unless specifically stated otherwise, means treated wastewater that is not reused after flowing out of any treatment works.

"End user" means a person or entity that directly uses reclaimed water.

"Filtration" means the passing of wastewater through a conventional technology, such as sand, anthracite or cloth; or an advanced technology, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis membrane.

"Food crops commercially processed" means food crops that, prior to sale to the public or others, have undergone chemical or physical processing sufficient to remove or destroy pathogens.

"Food crops not commercially processed" means food crops that, prior to sale to the public or others, have not undergone chemical or physical processing sufficient to remove or destroy pathogens.

"Gray water" means untreated wastewater from bathtubs, showers, lavatory fixtures, wash basins, washing machines, and laundry tubs. It does not include wastewater from toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, or laundry water from soiled diapers.

"Groundwater" means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the boundaries of this Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.

"Harvested rainwater" means rainwater that has been collected off of a rooftop through a system that concentrates the rooftop flow and conveys this to a storage device, container, or vessel with the intention of using this water before discharge to waterways via sanitary sewer systems, septic tank or other onsite treatment and disposal systems, or a land based discharge.

"Indirect nonpotable reuse" means the discharge of reclaimed water to a receiving surface water for the purpose of intentionally augmenting a water source, followed by withdrawal from the water source with or without mixing and transport to the withdrawal location, for reuse or distribution for reuse other than indirect potable reuse.

"Indirect potable reuse" or "IPR" means the discharge of reclaimed water to a receiving surface water for the purpose of intentionally augmenting a water supply source, with subsequent withdrawal after mixing with the ambient surface water and transport to the withdrawal location, followed by treatment and distribution for drinking water and other potable water purposes.

"Industrial wastewater" means wastewater resulting from any process of industry, manufacture, trade or business, or from the development of any natural resources.

"Irrigation" means the application of water to land for plant use at a rate that undesirable plant water stress does not occur.

"Landscape impoundment" means a body of water that contains reclaimed water, is not intended for public contact, and is used primarily for aesthetic enjoyment. Landscape impoundments include, but are not limited to, decorative pools, fountains, ponds and lagoons; located outdoors or indoors.

"Level 1" means a degree of treatment at which reclaimed water has received, at a minimum, secondary treatment with filtration and higher-level disinfection, and meets all other applicable standards specified in 9VAC25-740-70.

"Level 2" means a degree of treatment at which reclaimed water has received, at a minimum, secondary treatment and standard disinfection, and meets all other applicable standards specified in 9VAC25-740-70.

"Municipal wastewater" means sewage.

"Nonbulk irrigation reuse" means the reuse of reclaimed water for irrigation of individual areas less than or equal to five acres.

"Nonpotable water" means any water, including reclaimed water, not meeting the definition of potable water.

"Nonsystem storage" means storage for reclaimed water that is other than system storage and is used at a location downstream of the service connection to the reclaimed water distribution system to equalize flow to end users.

"Nutrient management plan" or "NMP" means a plan prepared by a nutrient management planner certified by the Department of Conservation and Recreation to manage the amount, placement, timing, and application of plant nutrients from liquid, solid or semisolid manures, fertilizers, biosolids, or other materials, for the purpose of producing crops and reducing nutrient loss to the environment.

"Owner" means the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions including, but not limited to, sanitation district commissions and authorities, and any public or private institution, corporation, association, firm or company organized or existing under the laws of this or any other state or country, or any officer or agency of the United States, or any person or group of persons acting individually or as a group that owns, operates, charters, rents, or otherwise exercises control over or is responsible for the production or distribution of reclaimed water, or any facility or operation that produces or distributes reclaimed water.

"Permit" means an authorization, certificate, license, or equivalent control document issued by the board department to implement the requirements of this chapter.

"Point of compliance" or "POC" means a point at which compliance with the standards of this chapter is required.

"Pollutants of concern" means any pollutants that might reasonably be expected to be discharged to a publicly or privately owned treatment works in sufficient amounts to pass through or interfere with the works, contaminate sludge generated by the works, cause problems in the collection system of the works, or jeopardize the health of employees at the works and the public.

"Potable water" means water fit for human consumption and domestic use that is sanitary and normally free of minerals, organic substances, and toxic agents in excess of reasonable amounts for domestic usage in the area served and normally adequate in quantity and quality for the minimum health requirements of the persons served.

"Public access area" means an area that is intended to be accessible to the general public, such as golf courses, cemeteries, parks, athletic fields, school yards, and landscape areas. Public access areas include private property that is not open to the public at large, but is intended for frequent use by many persons. Presence of authorized farm personnel or other authorized treatment plant, utilities system, or reuse system personnel does not constitute public access.

"Reclaimed water" means water resulting from the treatment of domestic, municipal or industrial wastewater that is suitable for a water reuse that would not otherwise occur. Specifically excluded from this definition is "gray water." For the purposes of this chapter, "harvested rainwater" and "stormwater" are also excluded from this definition.

"Reclaimed water agent" means a person or entity that holds a permit to distribute reclaimed water to one or more end users.

"Reclaimed water distribution system" means a network of pipes, pumping facilities, storage facilities, and appurtenances designed to convey and distribute reclaimed water from one or more reclamation systems to end uses.

"Reclamation" means the treatment of domestic, municipal, or industrial wastewater or sewage to produce reclaimed water for a water reuse that would not otherwise occur.

"Reclamation system" means a treatment works that treats domestic, municipal, or industrial wastewater or sewage to produce reclaimed water for a water reuse that would not otherwise occur.

"Reject water storage" means storage for water diverted by a reclamation system or satellite reclamation system that does not meet applicable reclaimed water standards.

"Reliability Class I" means a measure of reliability that requires a treatment works design to provide continuous satisfactory operation during power failures, flooding, peak loads, equipment failure, and maintenance shut-down. This class includes design features, such as additional electrical power sources, additional flow storage capacity, and additional treatment units that provide operation in accordance with the issued certificate or permit requirements. The definition of Reliability Class I contained in this chapter is in addition to but does not supersede the definition of Reliability Class I contained in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790).

"Reuse" or "water reuse" means the use of reclaimed water for a direct beneficial use, an indirect potable reuse, an indirect nonpotable reuse, or a controlled use in accordance with this chapter.

"Reuse system" means an installation or method of operation that uses reclaimed water for a water reuse in accordance with this chapter.

"Restricted access" means limited access by humans to areas where nonpotable water, including reclaimed water, is used, resulting in minimal or no potential for human contact.

"Satellite reclamation system" or "SRS" means a conjunctive system that operates within or parallel to a sewage collection system to treat a portion of the available wastewater flow in the collection system to produce reclaimed water for reuse. Satellite reclamation systems do not have a discharge to surface waters, but may return their treatment process wastewater and residuals to the sewage collection system.

"Secondary treatment" means a biological treatment process for wastewater that achieves the minimum level of effluent quality defined by the federal secondary treatment regulation in 40 CFR 133.102 (2001).

"Service area" means a geographic area that receives reclaimed water from a reclaimed water distribution system or directly from a reclamation system for approved reuses within that area.

"Sewage" means the water-carried human wastes and nonwater-carried human excrement, kitchen, laundry, shower, bath or lavatory wastes, separately or together with such underground, surface, storm and other water and liquid industrial wastes as may be present from residences, buildings, vehicles, industrial establishments or other places.

"Significant industrial user" or "SIU" shall have the meaning set forth in the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31-10).

"Source water" means untreated or partially treated wastewater supplied for reclamation.

"State waters" or "waters of the state" means all water, on the surface and under the ground, wholly or partially within or bordering the Commonwealth or within its jurisdiction, including wetlands.

"State Water Control Law" or "Law" means Chapter 3.1 (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.) of Title 62.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Stormwater" means precipitation that is discharged across the land surface or through conveyances to one or more waterways and that may include stormwater runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage.

"Supplemental irrigation" means irrigation, which in combination with rainfall, meets but does not exceed the water necessary to maximize production or optimize growth of the irrigated vegetation.

"Surface waters" means all waters in the Commonwealth, except groundwater as defined in § 62.1-255 of the Code of Virginia.

"System storage" means storage on or off the site and considered part of a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system that is used to store reclaimed water produced by the reclamation system or SRS and to equalize flow to or within a reclaimed water distribution system.

"Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" shall have the meaning set forth in the Water Quality Management Planning Regulation (9VAC25-720).

"Treatment works" means any devices and systems used for the storage, treatment, recycling or reclamation of sewage or liquid industrial waste, or other waste, or that are necessary to recycle or reuse water, including intercepting sewers, outfall sewers, sewage collection systems, individual systems, pumping, power and other equipment and their appurtenances, extensions, improvements, remodeling, additions, or alterations thereof; or any works, including land that will be an integral part of the treatment process or is used for ultimate disposal of residues resulting from such treatment; or any other method or system used for preventing, abating, reducing, storing, treating, separating, or disposing of municipal waste or industrial waste, including waste in combined sewer water and sanitary sewer systems.

"Underground aquifer" means an aquifer or portion of an aquifer that supplies any public water system or that contains a sufficient quantity of groundwater to supply a public water system, and currently supplies drinking water for human consumption, or that contains fewer than 10,000 mg/l total dissolved solids and is not an exempted aquifer.

"Unintentional reuse" means the unintentional or unplanned use of reclaimed water subsequent to discharge to surface waters of the state, including wetlands, pursuant to a VPDES permit.

"Unrestricted access" means unlimited or minimally limited access by humans to areas where nonpotable water, including reclaimed water, is used, resulting in a high potential for human contact.

"User" means end user.

"Virginia Pollution Abatement permit" or "VPA permit" means a document issued by the board department, pursuant to the Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32), authorizing pollutant management activities under prescribed conditions.

"Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit" or "VPDES permit" means a document issued by the board department, pursuant to the Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31), authorizing, under prescribed conditions the potential or actual discharge of pollutants from a point source to surface waters and the use or disposal of sewage sludge. Under the approved state program, a VPDES permit is equivalent to an NPDES permit.

"Wastewater" means untreated liquid and water-carried industrial wastes and domestic sewage from residential dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial and manufacturing facilities and institutions.

"Water reclamation" means the reclamation of wastewater or treated effluent for reuse.

"Waterworks" means a system that serves piped water for drinking or domestic use to (i) the public, (ii) at least 15 connections, or (iii) an average of 25 individuals for at least 60 days out of the year. The term "waterworks" shall include all structures, equipment, and appurtenances used in the storage, collection, purification, treatment, and distribution of pure water, except the piping and fixtures inside the building where such water is delivered.

9VAC25-740-30. Applicability and transition.

A. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to water reclamation systems, reclaimed water distribution systems, and water reuse unless specifically excluded under 9VAC25-740-50 A. The requirements shall apply to all new water reclamation systems, reclaimed water distribution systems and, as applicable, water reuses for which Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) or Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit applications are received after October 1, 2008. The requirements may also be applied to all existing permitted facilities producing, distributing or using reclaimed water through a permit modification or reissuance procedure and shall be applied when such facilities are to be modified or expanded unless specifically excluded under 9VAC25-740-50 A. The owners of existing water reclamation systems, reclaimed water distribution systems and, as applicable, water reuses that do not have a VPA or VPDES permit shall submit a complete VPA or VPDES permit application or other necessary information as prescribed under 9VAC25-740-40 within 180 days of being requested by the board department.

B. For the purposes of this chapter:

1. The incorporation of standards, monitoring requirements and special conditions for water reclamation and reuse into a VPA permit shall be considered a minor modification unless they alter other conditions of the permit specifically related to the pollutant management activity for which the permit was originally issued.

2. Standards, monitoring requirements and special conditions for water reclamation and reuse may be authorized for a VPDES permit through:

a. A modification of the permit where such standards, monitoring requirements, and special conditions would effectively alter other conditions of the permit specifically related to the effluent discharge for which the permit was originally issued, or where the diversion of source water from the VPDES permitted discharge to water reclamation and reuse has the potential to cause a significant adverse impact to other beneficial uses of the receiving state water, or both; or

b. An administrative authorization where such standards, monitoring requirements, and special conditions would not alter other conditions of the permit specifically related to the effluent discharge for which the permit was originally issued, and where the diversion of source water from the VPDES permitted discharge to water reclamation and reuse does not have the potential to cause a significant adverse impact to other beneficial uses of the receiving state water. The administrative authorization shall have the full effect of the VPDES permit until such time that it is incorporated into the VPDES permit through reissuance or modification.

3. Modification of a VPA or VPDES permit or the issuance of an administrative authorization associated with a VPDES permit described in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection shall require an application in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100.

9VAC25-740-40. Permitting requirements.

A. The owner of the reclamation system and the owner of the reclaimed water distribution system or the reclaimed water agent shall obtain a VPDES or VPA permit to produce and distribute reclaimed water, unless otherwise excluded from the requirements of this chapter under 9VAC25-740-50 A. Where both the reclamation system and the reclaimed water distribution system are under common ownership and management, one permit may be issued to the owner. Permit coverage may be provided through modification or reissuance of an existing VPA permit, or reissuance of or administrative authorization for an existing VPDES permit to include standards, monitoring requirements and special conditions that address water reclamation and reuse.

B. The owner of a satellite reclamation system (SRS) shall obtain a VPA permit. Alternatively and at the discretion of the board department, a SRS may be authorized under a VPA or VPDES permit issued to a wastewater treatment works that is under common ownership or management with the SRS and receives wastewater and residuals discharged by the SRS.

C. Each end user shall enter into a service agreement or contract with all reclaimed water agents from which the end user receives reclaimed water prior to receipt of such water. Monitoring and management of individual end users shall be by the reclaimed water agents with whom the end users have a service connection, and through the service agreements or contracts between the reclaimed water agents and the individual end users unless affected by a permit issued to an end user as described in subsection F of this section.

D. Where a reclamation system and a reclaimed water distribution system that receives reclaimed water from the reclamation system are under separate ownership and management, and the reclaimed water distribution system does not distribute reclaimed water to end users other than to the owner or management of that system, the reclaimed water distribution system may not require a permit provided a service agreement or contract is established between the reclamation system and the reclaimed water distribution system.

E. A separate permit may be required for end users receiving reclaimed water directly from more than one reclamation system, SRS, reclaimed water distribution system, or a combination thereof. An end user may be authorized under the permit issued to one of the reclamation systems, SRSs, or reclaimed water distribution systems that supply reclaimed water to the end user, provided the end user is under common ownership or management with the permitted system.

F. Property irrigated with reclaimed water from a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system under common ownership or management with that property, shall be regulated by the permit issued to the reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system providing reclaimed water to the irrigated property.

G. A reclamation system shall not discharge reclaimed or reject water to surface waters of the state in lieu of providing storage, discharging to another permitted reuse system, if applicable; returning reclaimed or reject water to a wastewater treatment works; or suspending production of reclaimed water; without authorization to discharge under a VPDES permit.

9VAC25-740-45. Emergency authorization for the production, distribution, or reuse of reclaimed water.

A. The board department may issue an emergency authorization for the production, distribution, or reuse of reclaimed water when it finds that due to drought there is an insufficient public water supply that may result in a substantial threat to public safety. The emergency authorization may be issued only after:

1. Conservation measures mandated by local or state authorities have failed to protect public safety, and

2. The Virginia Department of Health has been notified of the application to issue an emergency authorization and has been provided not less than 14 days to submit comments or recommendations to the board department on the application.

B. An emergency authorization may be issued in addition to an Emergency Virginia Water Protection Permit (as provided in 9VAC25-210) for a new or increased public water supply withdrawal.

C. An emergency authorization may be issued to only existing VPDES or VPA permitted municipal treatment works that:

1. Are not currently authorized to produce, distribute, or reuse reclaimed water in accordance with 9VAC25-740-40;

2. Are currently capable of producing reclaimed water meeting minimum standard requirements of 9VAC25-740-90 for proposed reuses listed in the application for an emergency authorization; and

3. Do not have significant industrial users (SIUs), or do have SIUs and a pretreatment program developed, approved, and maintained in accordance with Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of the VPDES Permit Regulation.

D. An emergency authorization may be issued for only reuses of reclaimed water deemed necessary by the board department. In no case shall an emergency authorization be issued in lieu of a VPDES permit action for a reuse that involves a discharge of reclaimed water to surface waters.

E. An application for an emergency authorization issued pursuant to this section shall provide the information specified in 9VAC25-740-105. No later than 180 days after the issuance of an emergency authorization, the holder of the authorization shall apply for coverage under a VPDES or VPA permit in accordance with 9VAC25-740-40. Thereafter, the emergency authorization shall remain in effect until the board department acts upon the application for the VPDES or VPA permit in accordance with 9VAC25-740-30 B.

F. There shall be no public comment period for the issuance of an emergency authorization.

9VAC25-740-50. Exclusions and prohibitions.

A. Exclusions. Exclusion from the requirements of this chapter does not relieve any owner of the operations identified in this section of the responsibility to comply with any other applicable federal, state, or local statutes, regulations, or ordinances. The following are excluded from the requirements of this chapter:

1. Activities permitted by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), such as, but not limited to, septic tank drainfield systems and other onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, and water treatment plant recycle flows. This exclusion does not apply to alternative onsite sewage systems as defined in 12VAC5-613 (Regulations for Alternative Onsite Sewage Systems) with an average daily sewage flow in excess of 1,000 gallons per day that are concurrently permitted by the board department and VDH to allow sewage reclamation and reuse in addition to onsite sewage treatment and disposal.

2. Utilization of gray water, harvested rainwater, or stormwater.

3. Nonpotable water produced and utilized on-site by the same treatment works for facilities permitted through a VPDES or VPA permit. This includes the use of nonpotable water at the treatment works site for incidental landscape irrigation that is not identified as land treatment defined in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). The treatment works site shall include property that is either contiguous to or in the immediate vicinity of the parcel of land upon which the treatment works is located, provided such property is under common ownership or management with the treatment works. This exclusion does not apply to nonpotable water produced by treatment works authorized by the VPDES General Permit for Domestic Sewage Discharges Less Than or Equal to 1,000 Gallons Per Day (9VAC25-110).

4. Recycle flows within a treatment works.

5. Industrial effluents or other industrial water streams created prior to final treatment and used for water re-circulation, recycle, or reuse systems located on the same property as the industrial facility, provided:

a. The water used in these systems does not contain or is not expected to contain pathogens or other constituents in sufficient quantities and with a potential for human contact as may be harmful to human health;

b. These systems are closed or isolated to prevent worker contact with the water of the systems; or

c. Other measures are in place, including but not limited to, applicable federal and state occupational safety and health standards and requirements, to adequately inform and protect employees from pathogens or other constituents that may be harmful to human health in the water to be re-circulated, recycled or reused at the facility.

6. Land treatment systems described in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). Such use of wastewater effluent, either existing or proposed, must be authorized by a VPA or VPDES permit and must be on land owned or under the direct long-term control of the permittee.

7. Unintentional reuse.

8. Existing indirect nonpotable reuse projects that as of January 29, 2014, are authorized by a VPDES permit to discharge to surface waters of the state.

9. Existing indirect potable reuse projects that upon October 1, 2008, are authorized by a VPDES permit to discharge to surface waters of the state, and future expansions of these projects.

10. Direct injection of reclaimed water into any underground aquifer authorized by EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Underground Injection Control Program (UIC), 40 CFR Part 144; or other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

B. Prohibitions. The following are prohibited under this chapter:

1. Direct potable reuse;

2. The reuse of reclaimed water distributed to one-family or two-family dwellings. This prohibition does not apply to reuses of reclaimed water outside of and on the same property as one-family or two-family dwellings where the reclaimed water is not distributed to such reuses by way of plumbing within the dwellings;

3. The reuse of reclaimed water to fill residential swimming pools, hot tubs or wading pools;

4. The reuse of reclaimed water for food preparation or incorporation as an ingredient into food or beverage for human consumption;

5. Bypass of untreated or partially treated wastewater from the reclamation system or any intermediate unit process to the point of reuse unless the bypass complies with standards and requirements specified in 9VAC25-740-70 and is for essential maintenance to assure efficient operation;

6. The return of reclaimed water to the reclaimed water distribution system after the reclaimed water has been delivered to an end user; and

7. Reduction of the discharge from a VPDES permitted treatment works due to diversion of source water flow for reclamation and reuse such that the physical, chemical, or biological properties of the receiving state waters are affected in a manner that would cause a significant adverse impact to other beneficial uses.

9VAC25-740-55. Variances.

A. The board department may grant a variance to this chapter for design, construction, operation, or maintenance requirements contained in the chapter by following the appropriate procedures set forth in this section.

B. Any person or entity wishing to initiate a project for the production, distribution, or reuse of reclaimed water that is not excluded from the provisions of this chapter by 9VAC25-740-50 may apply for a variance to the design, construction, operation, or maintenance requirements of this chapter where requiring the project to comply with such requirements would be contrary to the purpose of State Water Control Law, specifically § 62.1-44.2 of the Code of Virginia. The board department may grant a variance if it finds that the hardship imposed, which may be economic, outweighs the benefits of the project and that the granting of such variance would not adversely impact public health or the environment.

C. An application for a variance shall be made in writing and shall include the following:

1. A citation of the regulation from which a variance is requested;

2. The nature and duration of variance requested;

3. A statement of the hardship to the applicant and the anticipated impacts to public health and welfare or the environment if a variance were granted;

4. Suggested conditions that might be imposed on the granting of a variance that would limit any anticipated detrimental impacts on public health or the environment;

5. Other information, if any, believed to be pertinent by the applicant; and

6. Such other information as may be required to make the determination in accordance with subsection B of this section.

D. The board department shall act on any application for a variance submitted pursuant to this section within 60 days of application receipt. In the board's department's decision to grant or deny a variance for a project to produce, distribute, or reuse reclaimed water, the board department shall consider, at a minimum, the following:

1. The effect that such a variance would have on the adequate operation of the project, including operator safety (in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, Occupation Safety and Health Administration);

2. The cost and other economic considerations imposed by the regulatory requirement for which the variance has been requested; and

3. The effect that such a variance would have on the protection of public health or the environment.

E. Disposition of a variance request.

1. If the board department proposes to deny a variance request submitted pursuant to this section, the board department shall provide the applicant an opportunity to an informal fact-finding proceeding in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia. Thereafter, the board department may reject any application for a variance and shall notify the applicant in writing of this decision and the basis for the rejection. The board's department's notice, in this case, constitutes a case decision.

2. If the board department proposes to grant a variance request submitted pursuant to this section, the applicant shall be notified in writing of this decision. Such notice shall:

a. Identify the project for which the variance has been granted;

b. Describe the variance;

c. Specify the period of time for which the variance will be effective; and

d. State that the variance shall be terminated when the project comes into compliance with the applicable design, construction, operation, or maintenance requirements of this chapter and may be terminated upon a finding by the board department that the project has failed to comply with any requirements or schedules issued in conjunction with the variance.

3. The effective date of a variance described in subdivision 2 of this subsection shall be 15 days following the date of notice to the applicant.

F. All variances granted for the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of a project to produce, distribute, or reuse reclaimed water are nontransferable. Any requirements of the variance shall become part of the permit for the project subsequently issued, reissued, or modified by the board department.

G. Where this chapter references the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) for design, construction, operation, or maintenance requirements affecting components of a project to produce, distribute, or reuse reclaimed water, an application for a variance to such requirements shall be in accordance with variance procedures described in 9VAC25-790.

9VAC25-740-60. Relationship to other board regulations.

A. Virginia Pollution Abatement (VPA) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-32). The VPA Permit Regulation delineates the procedures and requirements to be followed in connection with the VPA permits issued by the board department pursuant to the State Water Control Law. Any treatment works treating domestic, municipal or industrial wastewater that produces reclaimed water or a facility that distributes reclaimed water in a manner that does not result in a discharge to surface waters shall obtain a VPA permit. Design, operation, and maintenance standards prescribed by this chapter for water reclamation and reuse shall be incorporated into the VPA permit application and the VPA permit when applicable. Water reclamation and reuse requirements contained in a VPA permit shall be enforced through existing enforcement mechanisms of the permit.

B. Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31). The VPDES Permit Regulation delineates the procedures and requirements to be followed in connection with VPDES permits issued by the board department pursuant to the Clean Water Act and the State Water Control Law. Any treatment works treating domestic, municipal, or industrial wastewater that produces reclaimed water and has a discharge to surface waters or a reclaimed water distribution system that has a discharge to surface waters shall obtain a VPDES permit. Design, operation, and maintenance standards for water reclamation and reuse shall be incorporated into the VPDES permit application and the VPDES permit when applicable. Water reclamation and reuse requirements contained in a VPDES permit shall be enforced through existing enforcement mechanisms of the permit.

C. Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). The Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations establish standards for the operation, construction, or modification of a sewerage system or treatment works, including land treatment systems. This chapter prescribes design, operation and maintenance standards for water reclamation and reuse.

D. Regulation for Nutrient Enriched Waters and Dischargers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (9VAC25-40). Sections 62.1-44.19:12 through 62.1-44.19:19 of the Code of Virginia, which establishes the Regulation for Nutrient Enriched Waters and Dischargers within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (9VAC25-40), allows for credit to be given for reductions in total nitrogen and total phosphorus discharged loads through recycle or reuse of wastewater when determining technology requirements associated with new or expanded discharges.

E. General VPDES Watershed Permit Regulation for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Virginia (9VAC25-820). The General VPDES Watershed Permit Regulation for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Virginia regulates point sources of nutrients and establishes a framework for nutrient credit trading and offsets. Water reclamation and reuse provides an opportunity to reduce point source nutrient loads.

F. Local and Regional Water Supply Planning (9VAC25-780). The Local and Regional Water Supply Planning regulation requires every county, city, and town to develop a water plan in accordance with established planning criteria. Where appropriate, the plan may consider nontraditional means of increasing supplies such as interconnection, desalination, recycling and reuse.

G. Water Withdrawal Reporting (9VAC25-200). The Water Withdrawal Reporting regulation requires industrial VPDES permittees to annually report to the board the source and location of water withdrawals and the type of use information specified by 9VAC25-200. Where the VPDES permitted discharge volume deviates by greater than ± 10% of the water withdrawal volume, the permittee is required to report the deviation.

9VAC25-740-70. Treatment and standards for reclaimed water.

A. Treatment and standards for reclaimed water are provided in Table 70-A.

Table 70-A Treatment and Standards for Reclaimed Water
1. Level 1
a. Treatment	Secondary treatment with filtration and higher-level disinfection.
b. Bacterial Standards	(1) Fecal coliform1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 14 colonies/100ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 49 colonies/100 ml; or
	(2) E. coli1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 11 colonies/100 ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 35 colonies/100 ml; or
	(3) Enterococci1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 11 colonies/100 ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 24 colonies/100 ml.
c. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)3	Corrective action threshold at less than 1.0 mg/l4 after a minimum contact time of 30 minutes at average flow or 20 minutes at peak flow.
d. pH	6.0 – 9.0 standard units
e. Five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)	(1) BOD5: monthly average less than or equal to 10 mg/l; or (2) Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD5)5: monthly average less than or equal to 8 mg/l.
f. Turbidity6	Daily average of discrete measurements recorded over a 24-hour period less than or equal to 2.0 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU); corrective action threshold at greater than 5.0 NTU.
2. Level 2
a. Treatment	Secondary treatment and standard disinfection.
b. Bacterial Standards	(1) Fecal coliform1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 200 colonies/100ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 800 colonies/100 ml; or
	(2) E. coli1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 126 colonies/100 ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 235 colonies/100 ml; or
	(3) Enterococci1: monthly geometric mean2 less than or equal to 35 colonies/100 ml; corrective action threshold at greater than 104 colonies/100 ml.
c. Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)3	Corrective action threshold at less than 1.0 mg/l4 after a minimum contact time of 30 minutes at average flow or 20 minutes at peak flow.
d. pH	6.0 – 9.0 standard units
e. Five-day Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5)	(1) BOD5: monthly average less than or equal to 30 mg/l; maximum weekly average 45 mg/l; or (2) Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD5)5: monthly average less than or equal to 25 mg/l; maximum weekly average 40 mg/l.
f. Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	Monthly average less than or equal to 30 mg/l; maximum weekly average 45 mg/l.
1After disinfection. 2For the purpose of calculating the geometric mean, bacterial analytical results below the detection level of the analytical method used shall be reported as values equal to the detection level. 3Applies only if chlorine is used for disinfection. 4TRC less than 1.0 mg/l may be authorized by the board department if demonstrated to provide comparable disinfection through a chlorine reduction program in accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). 5Applies only if CBOD5 is used in lieu of BOD5. 6Where ultraviolet radiation will be used for disinfection of Level 1 reclaimed water, other turbidity standards may apply in accordance with 9VAC25-740-110 A 2 a.

B. Point of compliance (POC).

1. Reclaimed water produced by reclamation systems and SRSs for reuse shall meet all applicable standards in accordance with this chapter, excluding the turbidity standard for Level 1 treatment, at the POC. The POC for Level 1 and Level 2 treatment shall be after all reclaimed water treatment and prior to discharge to a reclaimed water distribution system. Where chlorination is used for disinfection of the reclaimed water, the POC for the TRC standard shall be the monitoring location specified in 9VAC25-740-80 A 2. The POC for the turbidity standard of Level 1 treatment shall be just upstream of disinfection.

2. Where the board department determines that reclaimed water monitoring is required for a system storage facility or a reclaimed water distribution system, the number and location of POCs for these facilities shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and shall be described in the following documents for approval by the board department:

a. For system storage facilities other than those considered part of reclaimed water distribution systems, in the operations and maintenance manual of the reclamation system or SRS where the storage facility is located; and

b. For reclaimed water distribution systems, including system storage facilities considered part of these systems, in the reclaimed water management plan pursuant to 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 h.

C. Reclaimed water that fails to comply with the standards shall be managed as follows:

1. Should reclaimed water reach the corrective action threshold (CAT) for turbidity in the standard for Level 1, or for TRC in the standards for Level 1 or 2, whichever applies, the operator of the reclamation system shall immediately initiate a review of treatment operations and data to identify the cause of the CAT monitoring results to bring the reclaimed water back into compliance with the standards. Resampling or diversion shall occur within one hour of first reaching the CAT. Procedures for resampling, operational review and diversion shall be as described in an approved operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system. If subsequent monitoring results of the resamples collected within one hour of the first CAT monitoring results for turbidity or TRC continue to reach the CAT of the standards, the reclaimed water shall be considered substandard or reject water and shall be diverted to either storage for subsequent additional treatment or retreatment, or discharged to another permitted reuse system requiring a lower level of treatment not less than Level 2 or to a VPDES permitted effluent disposal system provided the reject water meets the effluent limits of the permit. If the reclamation system is unattended, the diversion of reject water shall be initiated and performed with automatic equipment. There shall be no automatic restarts of distribution to reuse until the treatment problem is corrected. Failure to divert the substandard or reject water after one hour of CAT monitoring results shall be considered a violation of this chapter. Upon resuming discharge of reclaimed water to the reclaimed water distribution system for which the CAT was reached, resampling for turbidity or TRC shall occur within one hour to verify proper treatment.

2. Should reclaimed water reach the CAT for bacteria (i.e., fecal coliform, E. coli or enterococci) in the standards for Level 1 or 2, whichever applies, the operator of the reclamation system shall immediately initiate a review of treatment operations and data to identify the cause of the CAT monitoring results to bring the reclaimed water back into compliance with the standards. Procedures for operational review shall be as described in an approved operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system. Two consecutive bacterial monitoring results that reach the CAT of the standards shall be considered a violation of this chapter.

3. Repeated, although temporary, failure to comply with all other standards by the reclamation system may be considered a violation of this chapter determined by the frequency and magnitude of the noncompliant monitoring results and other relevant factors. Failure to resample after determination that monitoring results are not in compliance with the standards, to make adjustments to the treatment process to bring the reclaimed water back into compliance with the standards, or to divert substandard or reject water in accordance with subdivision 1 of this subsection shall be considered a violation of this chapter.

D. Treatment or standards other than or in addition to the treatment and standards in subsection A of this section may be necessary based on the quality and character of the wastewater to be reclaimed or the intended reuse or reuses of the reclaimed water. Such alternative or additional treatment or standards may be exempt from this chapter unless required by the board department to protect public health and the environment.

E. Standards for the reclamation of industrial wastewater shall be determined on a case-by-case basis relative to the proposed reuse or reuses of the reclaimed water and for the purpose of protecting public health and the environment. Industrial wastewater may also be subject to disinfection requirements of Level 1 or Level 2 if the industrial wastewater contains sewage or is expected to contain organisms pathogenic to humans, such as, but not limited to, wastewater from the production and processing of livestock and poultry. The point of compliance for reclamation standards of industrial wastewater shall also be determined on a case-by-case basis.

9VAC25-740-80. Reclaimed water monitoring requirements for reuse.

A. The monitoring requirements for the standards provided under 9VAC25-740-70 A, are as follows:

1. Turbidity analysis:

a. Analysis shall be performed by a continuous, on-line turbidity meter equipped with an automated data logging or recording device and an alarm to notify the operator when the CAT for turbidity in the standard for Level 1 has been reached. Compliance with the average turbidity standard shall be determined daily, based on the arithmetic mean of hourly or more frequent discrete measurements recorded during a 24-hour period. Monitoring for the turbidity CAT shall be continuous.

b. Should the on-line turbidity meter go out of service for either planned or unplanned repair, the permittee shall be allowed to manually collect samples for turbidity analysis at four-hour intervals up to a maximum of five days. Following the five-day period of repair, continuous, on-line monitoring with a turbidity meter shall resume.

2. Sampling and analysis for residual concentrations of disinfectants, including total residual chlorine (TRC):

a. For Level 1:

(1) Shall be continuous on-line monitoring, equipped with an automated data logging or recording device and an alarm to notify the operator when the CAT for the disinfectant has been reached. For disinfectants other than chlorine, continuous on-line monitoring shall be provided at the point of compliance monitoring. For TRC, continuous on-line monitoring shall be provided at the end of the contact tank or contact period. Monitoring for the TRC CAT shall be continuous.

(2) Should the on-line disinfectant monitoring equipment go out of service for either planned or unplanned repair, the permittee shall be allowed to manually collect samples for disinfectant analysis at four-hour intervals up to a maximum of five days. Following the five-day period of repair, continuous, on-line disinfectant monitoring shall resume.

b. For Level 2, shall be based on the designated design flow of the reclamation system and be the same sampling type and frequency as specified for sewage treatment works in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). For chemical disinfectants other than TRC, monitoring shall be provided at the point of compliance in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 B. For TRC, monitoring shall be provided at the end of the contact tank or contact period.

3. Sampling for TSS and BOD₅ or CBOD₅ shall be at least weekly or more frequently based on the designated design flow of the reclamation system, and shall be the same sampling type and frequency as specified for sewage treatment works in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). Compliance with the monthly average TSS and BOD₅ or CBOD₅ standards shall be determined monthly, based on the arithmetic mean of all samples collected during the month. Compliance with the maximum weekly average TSS and BOD₅ or CBOD₅ standards shall be determined monthly, using the same procedures applied in the VPDES permit program for point source discharges.

4. Sampling for fecal coliform, E. coli or enterococci:

a. Shall for Level 1, be grab samples collected at a time when wastewater characteristics are most representative of the treatment facilities and disinfection processes for water reuse, and at the frequencies provided in Table 80-A. Compliance with the geometric mean standards for fecal coliform, E. coli, or enterococci shall be determined monthly, based on all bacteriological monitoring results for that month. Monitoring of the CAT for fecal coliform, E. coli, or enterococci shall be based on the bacteriological monitoring results determined for each day a sample is collected.

Table 80-A
Reclamation System Designated Design Flow (MGD)(1)	Bacterial Sampling Frequency(2)
>0.500	Daily with the ability to reduce to no less than four days per week(3)
0.050 to 0.500	Four days per week with the ability to reduce to no less than three days per week(3)
<0.050	Three days per week with no reduction allowed
(1)MGD means million gallons per day. (2)For reclamation systems treating municipal wastewater, bacterial samples shall be collected between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to coincide with peak flows to the reclamation system. An exception to this requirement may be approved upon demonstration to the board department that peak flows to the reclamation system occur outside this period. (3)Monitoring frequency may be reduced after demonstrating compliance with bacterial standards for Level 1 and adequate correlation between bacterial monitoring results and measurements for surrogate disinfection parameters, such as TRC and turbidity.

b. Shall for Level 2, be based on the designated design flow of the reclamation system and be the same sampling type and frequency as specified for sewage treatment works in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). Compliance with the geometric mean standard and monitoring of the CAT for fecal coliform, E. coli or enterococci shall be in accordance with the same procedures specified for Level 1 in subdivision 4 a of this subsection.

5. Samples for pH shall be grab samples collected at least daily. Compliance with the range of the pH standard shall be determined daily based on the pH of the samples.

B. Samples collected for TSS, BOD₅ or CBOD₅, and fecal coliform, E. coli or enterococci analyses, shall be analyzed by laboratory methods accepted by the board department.

C. A reclamation system that produces reclaimed water intermittently or seasonally shall monitor only when the reclamation system discharges to a reclaimed water distribution system, a nonsystem storage facility, or directly to a reuse.

D. Monitoring of reclaimed water held in system storage for a period greater than 24 hours at a reclamation system or SRS may be required by the board department where (i) the system storage facility discharges to a reclaimed water distribution system, a nonsystem storage facility, or directly to a reuse; and (ii) conditions exist at the facility to degrade the reclaimed water to a quality failing to comply with applicable minimum reclaimed water standards for the intended reuses of that water. When monitoring of reclaimed water in or from system storage is required, monitoring parameters and frequencies shall be determined by the board department on a case-by-case basis.

E. Monitoring other than or in addition to that described under subsection A of this section may be required for treatment of reclaimed water that is provided pursuant to 9VAC25-740-70 D and 9VAC25-740-70 E.

9VAC25-740-90. Minimum standard requirements for reuses of reclaimed water.

A. Minimum standard requirements for reclaimed water shall be determined, in part, by the reuse or reuses of that water. For specific reuses, the minimum standard requirements of reclaimed water are provided in Table 90-A.

Table 90-A Minimum Standard Requirements for Reuses of Reclaimed Water
Reuse Category	Reuse	Minimum Standard Requirements a
1. Urban – Unrestricted Access	All types of landscape irrigation in public access areas (i.e., golf courses, cemeteries, public parks, school yards and athletic fields) Toilet flushing b Firefighting or protection and fire suppression b Outdoor reuse (i.e., lawn watering and noncommercial car washing) b Commercial car washes Commercial air conditioning systems	Level 1
2. Irrigation – Unrestricted Access c	Irrigation for any food crops not commercially processed, including crops eaten raw	Level 1
3. Irrigation – Restricted Access c, d, e	Irrigation for any food crops commercially processed	Level 2
	Irrigation for nonfood crops and turf, including fodder, fiber and seed crops; pasture for foraging livestock; sod farms; ornamental nurseries; and silviculture
4. Landscape Impoundments f	Potential for public access or contact	Level 1
	No potential for public access or contact	Level 2
5. Construction e	Soil compaction Dust control Washing aggregate Making concrete Irrigation to establish vegetative erosion control g	Level 2
6. Industrial e	Commercial laundries Ship ballast h	Level 1
	Livestock watering i Aquaculture j Stack scrubbing Street washing Boiler feed Once-through cooling k Recirculating cooling towers k	Level 2
aFor reclaimed industrial wastewater, minimum standards required shall be determined on a case-by-case basis relative to the proposed reuse or reuses. bThese reuses of reclaimed water are prohibited in accordance with 9VAC25-740-50 B 2 where they would involve the distribution of reclaimed water to a one-family or two-family dwelling in order to occur. cReclaimed water treated to Level 1 or 2 may be used for surface irrigation, including spray irrigation. Reclaimed water treated to Level 2 may be used for spray irrigation if the area to be irrigated restricts access to the public and has appropriate setbacks in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170. Reclaimed water treated to Level 1 or 2 may be used for irrigation of food crops eaten raw, excluding root crops, only when there will be no direct contact (or indirect contact via aerosol carry) between the reclaimed water and edible portions of the crop. dFor irrigation with reclaimed water treated to Level 2, the following shall be prohibited unless Level 1 disinfection is provided: 1. Grazing by milking animals on the irrigation reuse site for 15 days after irrigation with reclaimed water ceases, and 2. Harvesting, retail sale or allowing access by the general public to ornamental nursery stock or sod farms for 14 days after irrigation with reclaimed water ceases. eWorker contact with reclaimed water treated to Level 2 shall be minimized. Level 1 disinfection shall be provided when worker contact with reclaimed water is likely. fLandscape impoundments may also be used to store reclaimed water for other subsequent reuses of that reclaimed water, such as irrigation, if included in an inventory of reclaimed water storage facilities submitted to the board department pursuant to 9VAC25-740-110 C 15. gIrrigation with reclaimed water to establish vegetative cover at a construction site shall be subject to requirements for irrigation reuse specified in 9VAC25-740-100 C. Continued irrigation of the same site following construction completion shall be subject to the minimum standard requirements of reuse category 1, 2, or 3 contained in this table, determined by the intended reuse of the irrigated site. hReuse of reclaimed water for ship ballast shall also comply with applicable federal regulations and standards governing the use and discharge of ship ballast. iLevel 1 disinfection shall be provided when the reclaimed water is consumed by milking livestock. jLevel 1 disinfection shall be provided for aquaculture production of fish to be consumed raw, such as sushi. kWindblown spray generated by once-through cooling or recirculating cooling towers using reclaimed water treated to Level 2, shall not reach areas accessible to workers or the public unless Level 1 disinfection is provided. See also setback requirements in 9VAC25-740-170 for open cooling towers.

B. For any type of reuse not listed in subsection A of this section, including, but not limited to, indirect potable reuse and below-ground drip irrigation reuse that is newly proposed after October 1, 2008, indirect nonpotable reuse that is newly proposed after January 29, 2014, or any reuse of reclaimed industrial water, including reuses listed in subsection A of this section, the board department may prescribe specific reclaimed water standards and monitoring requirements needed to protect public health and the environment. When establishing these requirements for the proposed reuse, the board department shall consider the following factors:

1. The risk of the proposed reuse to public health with specific input from the Virginia Department of Health;

2. The degree of public access and human exposure to reclaimed water by the proposed reuse;

3. The reclaimed water treatment necessary to prevent nuisance conditions by the proposed reuse;

4. The reclaimed water treatment necessary for the proposed reuse to comply with this and other applicable regulations of the board;

5. The potential for improper or unintended use of the reclaimed water;

6. Other federal or state laws, regulations and guidelines that would apply to the proposed reuse;

7. The similarity of the proposed reuse to reuses listed in this chapter with regard to potential impact to public health and the environment;

8. Whether the proposed reuse may be excluded or prohibited by 9VAC25-740-50; and

9. For new indirect potable reuse proposals, residence or transport time, mixing ratios, and other relevant information deemed necessary by the board department.

C. For any indirect potable reuse (IPR) project that is newly proposed after January 29, 2014, the following are required:

1. A multiple barrier approach shall be used in the planning, design, and operation of the project. Multiple barriers to be employed for the project shall be described in the application for a permit in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 D.

2. All reclaimed water generated by a reclamation system for IPR shall meet, at a minimum, Level 1 reclaimed water standards, reclaimed water standards developed pursuant to subsection B of this section, and any other standards that may apply, including but not limited to, the Water Quality Standards (9VAC25-260) and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). Where there is more than one standard for the same pollutant, the more stringent standard shall apply.

3. The public health risks of and the need to impose new or more stringent reclaimed water standards for an IPR project shall be reevaluated with specific input from the Virginia Department of Health upon each renewal of the permit issued to the reclamation system that produces reclaimed water for the project. Factors to be considered in the reevaluation shall include, at a minimum, applicable factors contained in subsection B of this section.

4. All reclamation systems identified as a component of an IPR project in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 D 1, including pump stations that are part of the reclamation systems, shall meet reliability requirements specified in 9VAC25-740-130 C.

5. VPDES permitted treatment works that have SIUs and provide source water for reclamation and subsequent IPR shall, if required, have a pretreatment program or a program equivalent to a pretreatment program in accordance with 9VAC25-740-150 E.

9VAC25-740-100. Application for permit.

A. The need for an owner to obtain a permit or modification or reissuance of an existing permit from the board department for a proposed or an existing reclamation system, reclaimed water distribution system, satellite reclamation system (SRS), or, as applicable, water reuse, shall be determined in accordance with 9VAC25-740-30. Where required, permit coverage for these systems or activities shall be provided in accordance with 9VAC25-740-40, contingent upon receipt of a complete application from the owner. The application shall contain supporting documentation and information required by subsections B and C of this section.

B. General information. For projects that involve water reclamation and the distribution of reclaimed water, the following information shall be submitted with an application for a permit. Information required for this subsection may be provided by referencing specific information previously submitted to the board department unless changes have occurred that require the submission of new or more current information. For projects that involve exclusively the distribution of reclaimed water, information for only subdivisions 1, 2, and 5 of this subsection shall be submitted with an application for a permit.

1. A description of the design and a site plan showing operations and unit processes of the proposed project, including and as applicable, treatment, storage, distribution, reuse and disposal facilities, and reliability features and controls. Treatment works, reclamation systems and reclaimed water distribution systems previously permitted need not be included, unless they are directly tied into the new units or are critical to the understanding of the complete project. Design approaches shall be consistent with accepted engineering practice and any applicable state regulations.

2. A general location map, showing orientation of the project with reference to at least two geographic features (e.g., numbered roads, named streams or rivers, etc.). A general location map for a reclaimed water distribution system may be included in the map of a service area required in accordance with subdivision C 1 a of this section.

3. Information regarding each wastewater treatment works that diverts or will divert source water to the reclamation system to be permitted, including:

a. All unit processes used for the treatment of wastewater at the facility prior to diversion to the reclamation system;

b. Any SIUs that indirectly discharge to the wastewater treatment works; and

c. Analyses of the source water to be diverted by the facility to the reclamation system.

4. Information regarding the sewage collection system that diverts or will divert sewage to the SRS to be permitted, including:

a. The name of the sewage collection system and the owner of that system;

b. Any SIUs that discharge directly or indirectly to the collection line from which sewage will be diverted to the SRS, excluding any downstream SIUs whose discharge has no potential to backflow to the SRS intake. This information shall include the location of the SIUs and distance between the SIUs and the SRS along the sewage collection line or lines; and

c. Characterization of the sewage to be diverted from the sewage collection system to the SRS at the point of diversion. Analysis of the sewage may be required where SIUs described in subdivision 4 b of this subsection discharge to the sewage collection system.

5. Information regarding each reclamation system or SRS to be permitted, including:

a. The standards specified in 9VAC25-740-70 A to be achieved;

b. Any other physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and constituent concentrations that may affect the intended reuse of the reclaimed water with respect to adverse impacts to public health or the environment; and

c. Designated design flow.

6. For the purpose of determining any significant adverse impacts to other beneficial uses, information regarding the VPDES permitted wastewater treatment works or the sewage collection system that will provide a new or increased diversion of source water to a reclamation system or SRS for the production of reclaimed water and information, as applicable, regarding the SRS that includes:

a. The latitude and longitude of the treatment works discharge location to a surface water or the SRS return discharge location in the sewage collection system;

b. The mean monthly discharge of the treatment works or return discharge of the SRS for each month during the most recent 60 or more consecutive months at the time of application, or where this information is not available, estimated values for the mean monthly discharge of the treatment works or return discharge of the SRS for each month during a period of 12 consecutive months;

c. The maximum monthly diversion of source water from the treatment works to a reclamation system or from the sewage collection system to a SRS for each month during a period of 12 consecutive months;

d. Pertaining only to sewage collection systems that provide source water, the name of the treatment works at the terminus of the sewage collection system; and

e. The information specified in subdivisions 6 a, b, and c of this subsection for each increase in source water diverted by the treatment works or the sewage collection system to a reclamation system or SRS, respectively, among multiple increases to occur in planned phases, and the anticipated dates of the phased increases.

7. Information describing measures to be immediately implemented for the management of wastewater and reclaimed water by a conjunctive system in the event that primary reuses of reclaimed water generated by the system cease or fail, and where the system:

a. Relies primarily or completely on water reclamation and reuse to eliminate wastewater;

b. Relies on:

(1) Irrigation as the primary or only reuse of reclaimed water, or

(2) One or more large end users, each consuming a significant volume of reclaimed water, such that the ability of the conjunctive system to manage wastewater would be adversely impacted if any such end user were to discontinue receiving reclaimed water from the conjunctive system; and

c. Does not have the ability to implement two or more of the options described in 9VAC25-740-110 C 1.

8. Information required per subdivision 7 of this subsection shall be included in the reclaimed water management plan described in subsection C of this section where the conjunctive system is acting as a reclaimed water agent by directly distributing reclaimed water to an end user or end users, including an end user that is also the applicant or permittee.

9. Information, if applicable, regarding any type of proposed reuse not listed in this chapter, by which the board department can evaluate the need to prescribe specific reclaimed water treatment and monitoring requirements in accordance with 9VAC25-740-90 B.

C. Reclaimed water management (RWM) plan.

1. A RWM plan shall be submitted in support of a permit application for a new or expanded reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system acting as a reclaimed water agent by directly distributing reclaimed water to an end user or end users, including an end user that is also the applicant or permittee. A RWM plan shall not be required for a reclamation system that distributes reclaimed water exclusively for indirect potable reuse. The RWM plan shall contain the following:

a. A description and map of the expected service area to be covered by the RWM plan for the term of the permit for the project (i.e., five years for a VPDES or 10 years for a VPA permit). The map shall identify all reuses according to reuse categories shown in 9VAC25-740-90 A or other categories for reuses that are or shall be authorized pursuant to 9VAC25-740-90 B, and their locations within the service area. The map shall also identify and show the location of all public potable water supply wells and springs, and public water supply intakes, within the boundaries of the service area. The description and map of the service area shall be updated by the permittee with each permit renewal.

b. A current inventory of impoundments, ponds or tanks that are used for system storage of reclaimed water and, as applicable, reject water storage under the control of the permittee, and nonsystem storage located within the service area of the RWM plan in accordance with 9VAC25-740-110 C 15.

c. A water balance that accounts for the volumes of reclaimed water to be generated, stored, reused and discharged (i.e., through a VPDES permitted outfall, back to a sewage collection system, or otherwise disposed). The water balance shall include projected volumes of seasonal and annual reclaimed water demand for each reuse category.

d. An example of service agreements or contracts to be established by the applicant or permittee with end users regarding implementation of and compliance with the RWM plan. A service agreement or contract shall contain conditions and requirements specified in subdivisions 3 b and c of this subsection and in 9VAC25-740-170 that apply to the particular planned reuse of each end user. Terms of the agreement shall require property owners to report to the applicant or permittee all potable and nonpotable water supply wells on their property and to comply with appropriate setback distances for wells where reclaimed water will be used on the same property. Within the agreement or contract, the applicant or permittee shall also reserve the right to perform routine or periodic inspections of an end user's reclaimed water reuses and storage facilities, and to terminate the agreement or contract and withdraw service for any failure by the end user to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement or contract if corrective action for such failure is not taken by the end user.

e. A description of monitoring of end users by the applicant or permittee to verify compliance with the terms of their agreements or contracts. Monitoring shall include, at a minimum, metering the volume of reclaimed water consumed by end users.

f. An education and notification program required in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170 A.

g. A cross-connection and backflow prevention program that:

(1) Evaluates the potential for cross-connections of the reclaimed water distribution system to a potable water system and backflow to the reclaimed water distribution system from industrial end users;

(2) Evaluates the public health risks associated with possible backflow from industrial end users;

(3) Describes inspections to be performed by the applicant or permittee at the time end users connect to the reclaimed water distribution system and periodically thereafter to prevent cross-connections to a potable water system and backflow from industrial end users as determined necessary through the program evaluation;

(4) Insures that cross-connection and backflow prevention design criteria specified in 9VAC25-740-110 B for reclaimed water distribution systems are implemented; and

(5) Requires a backflow prevention device on the reclaimed water service connection to an industrial end user, unless evaluation by the cross-connection and backflow prevention program determines that there is minimal risk to public health associated with possible backflow from the industrial end user or that there will be no backflow from the industrial end user capable of contaminating the reclaimed water supply.

h. A description of how the quality of reclaimed water in the reclaimed water distribution system shall be maintained to meet and, if determined necessary by the board department, monitored to verify compliance with the minimum standard requirements specified in 9VAC25-740-90 for the intended reuse or reuses of the reclaimed water, excluding CAT standards. Where monitoring of reclaimed water in the distribution system is required, monitoring parameters and frequencies shall be determined by the board department on a case-by-case basis.

i. Information specified in subdivision B 7 of this section for conjunctive systems described in subdivision B 8 of this section.

j. Where the applicant or permittee is the provider of reclaimed water, the exclusive end user of that reclaimed water and is not otherwise excluded under 9VAC25-740-50 A, information for only subdivisions 1 a, b, and c of this subsection is required.

2. All irrigation reuses of reclaimed water shall be limited to supplemental irrigation.

3. Nutrient management requirements for irrigation reuse will be established in the RWM plan according to the concentration of total N and total P in the reclaimed water compared to biological nutrient removal (BNR) as defined in 9VAC25-740-10.

a. Except as specified in subdivision 4 of this subsection, a nutrient management plan (NMP) shall not be required for irrigation reuse of reclaimed water treated to achieve BNR or nutrient levels below BNR.

b. For bulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water not treated to achieve BNR, a NMP shall be required of the end user.

(1) Where the applicant or permittee is the end user, the NMP shall be submitted with the RWM plan to the board department and shall be the responsibility of the applicant or permittee to properly implement.

(2) Where the end user is other than the applicant or permittee, the NMP shall be required as a condition of the service agreement or contract specified in subdivision 1 d of this subsection between the applicant or permittee and the end user. The end user shall be responsible for obtaining, maintaining and following a current NMP; providing a copy of the most current NMP to the applicant or permittee prior to initiating bulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water; and providing proof of compliance with the NMP at the request of the permittee.

c. For nonbulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water not treated to achieve BNR, a NMP shall not be required. However, the RWM plan shall describe other measures to be implemented by the applicant or permittee to manage nutrient loads by nonbulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water not treated to achieve BNR within the service area. These shall include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) The inclusion of language in the service agreement or contract specified in subdivision 1 d of this subsection, explaining proper use of the reclaimed water by the end user for the purpose of managing nutrients;

(2) Routine distribution of literature not less than annually, to individual nonbulk irrigation end users addressing the proper use of reclaimed water for irrigation in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170 A; and

(3) Monthly monitoring of N and P loads by nonbulk irrigation reuses to the service area of the RWM plan based on the total monthly metered nonbulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water for the service area and the monthly average concentrations of total N and total P in the reclaimed water. Results of this monitoring shall be included in the annual report to the board department submitted in accordance with 9VAC25-740-200 C.

4. Independent of the reclaimed water nutrient content, a NMP shall be required for a bulk irrigation reuse site where:

a. A wastewater treatment works, reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system and the irrigation reuse site or sites are under common ownership or management; and

b. In addition to irrigation reuse:

(1) There is no option to dispose of the reclaimed water through a VPDES permitted discharge, or

(2) There is an option to dispose of the reclaimed water through a VPDES permitted discharge, but the VPDES permit does not allow discharge of the full nutrient load under design flow (e.g., a treatment works with a VPDES permitted discharge implements water reclamation and reuse in lieu of providing treatment to meet nutrient effluent limits at design flow).

5. A NMP required per subdivision 4 of this subsection shall be approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and submitted with the RWM plan to the board department. The applicant or permittee shall be responsible for proper implementation of the NMP.

6. If required for a specific irrigation reuse, the NMP shall be prepared by a nutrient management planner certified by DCR and shall be maintained current in accordance with the Nutrient Management Training and Certification Regulations, 4VAC5-15. A copy of the NMP for each irrigation reuse site shall be maintained at the site or at a location central to all sites covered by the plan. Another copy shall be provided to and retained by the applicant or permittee.

7. A site plan is required for each bulk irrigation reuse site and area of proposed expansion to an existing irrigation reuse site, displayed on the most current U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps (7.5 minutes series, where available) and showing the following:

a. The boundaries of the irrigation site;

b. The location of all potable and nonpotable water supply wells and springs, public water supply intakes, occupied dwellings, property lines, areas accessible to the public, outdoor eating, drinking and bathing facilities; surface waters, including wetlands; limestone rock outcrops and sinkholes within 250 feet of the irrigation site; and

c. Setbacks areas around the irrigation site in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170.

8. The site plan for a bulk irrigation reuse site shall be prepared by:

a. The applicant or permittee for submission with the RWM plan to the board department when the irrigation site is under common ownership or management with a wastewater treatment works, a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system from which it receives reclaimed water for irrigation; or

b. The bulk irrigation end user for submission with the service agreement or contract between the end user and the applicant or permittee when the irrigation site is not under common ownership or management with a wastewater treatment works, a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system from which it receives reclaimed water for irrigation.

9. For the addition of new end users or new reuses not contained in the original RWM plan submitted with the application for a permit, the permittee shall submit to the board department for approval an amendment to the RWM plan identifying the new end users or new reuses prior to connection and reclaimed water service to the new end users or initiating the new reuses. For each new end user or new reuse, the permittee shall also provide all applicable information required by this subsection. Amendment of the RWM plan for the addition of new end users or new reuses after the issuance or reissuance of the permit shall not be considered a modification of the permit unless the new end users or new reuses will require the addition of different reclaimed water standards, monitoring requirements and conditions not contained in the permit.

D. Indirect potable reuse (IPR). For an application to permit an IPR project, the following additional information shall be submitted by the applicant or permittee to the board department:

1. Identification of the following components of an IPR project:

a. The reclamation system that will produce reclaimed water discharged to the water supply source (WSS).

b. The WSS to which the reclamation system identified in subdivision 1 a of this subsection will discharge reclaimed water.

c. The waterworks that will withdraw water from the WSS identified in subdivision 1 b of this subsection to produce potable water.

2. Identification of all uses in addition to IPR of the WSS identified in subdivision 1 of this subsection. Such uses shall be those deemed acceptable by the Virginia Department of Health or the Waterworks Regulations (12VAC5-590).

3. A description of multiple barriers to be implemented by the reclamation system or waterworks, or both, to produce water of a quality suitable for IPR. Multiple barriers shall include at a minimum:

a. Source control and protection. This involves the control of contaminants with potential to adversely impact public health by preventing or minimizing the entry of these contaminants into the wastewater collection system prior to reclamation or the WSS prior to withdrawal by the waterworks. Source control and protection shall, at a minimum, address pretreatment requirements for SIUs in accordance with 9VAC25-740-150 E and education requirements in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170 A 1, and shall describe other measures to reduce the introduction of contaminants from domestic sources that may include, but are not limited to, community collection programs for hazardous wastes and unused pharmaceuticals.

b. Effective and reliable treatment. This involves the use of treatment processes at both the reclamation system and the waterworks that, in combination with any natural attenuation provided by the environmental buffer to be described per subdivision 3 c of this subsection, shall reliably achieve the water quality necessary for IPR. A description of reclamation system treatment processes for IPR may be satisfied by referencing application information submitted in accordance with subsection B of this section.

c. Environmental buffers and natural attenuation. This involves the use of an environmental buffer, such as a surface water used as a WSS, to provide further removal or degradation of certain contaminants when exposed to naturally occurring physical, chemical, and biological processes in the environment over time.

d. Monitoring programs. This involves monitoring at progressive stages of treatment or barriers of the project to verify that they are working effectively and reliably to achieve the necessary water quality for IPR.

e. Responses to adverse conditions. To address those circumstances where the reclamation system of the IPR project experiences a catastrophic treatment failure that cannot be corrected by subsequent treatment or barriers, or fails to produce reclaimed water meeting the standards or limits at the point of discharge to the WSS, the application for the IPR project shall contain:

(1) A contingency plan that describes all alternatives to be implemented in lieu of discharging the substandard reclaimed water to the WSS.

(2) A notification program for the reclamation system of the IPR project as described in 9VAC25-740-170 A 2.

4. An evaluation of the combined effectiveness of all the barriers described in subdivision 3 of this subsection to achieve the water quality necessary for IPR.

5. Any information deemed necessary by the board department to establish reclaimed water standards and monitoring requirements for the IPR project in accordance with 9VAC25-740-90 B. This shall include, but is not limited to, residence or transport times, mixing ratios, and other applicable modeling of the reclamation system discharge or contaminants introduced by the discharge to the WSS.

6. A water balance for the reclamation system that accounts for the volumes of reclaimed water to be generated, stored, discharged to the WSS, and withdrawn for IPR.

7. Any change by the reclamation system to provide reclaimed water for other reuses or end users in addition to IPR shall require submission of a RWM plan in accordance with subdivision C 1 of this section. The water balance for the RWM plan shall include the water balance required per subdivision 6 of this subsection for the IPR project.

8. A copy of the contractual agreement established between the reclamation system and the waterworks of the IPR project, identifying the responsibilities of each party to implement multiple barriers described in accordance with subdivision 3 of this subsection, unless the reclamation system and waterworks are under common ownership or management.

9VAC25-740-110. Design criteria.

A. Reclamation system.

1. The design of systems for the reclamation of municipal wastewater or source water derived from a municipal wastewater treatment works shall adhere to the standards of design and construction specified in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) and other applicable engineering standards and regulations. Design standards for reclamation systems of industrial wastewater or source water derived from an industrial wastewater treatment works shall be determined and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

2. Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection for reclamation systems:

a. For Level 1 reclaimed water:

(1) Designs for UV disinfection shall be validated in accordance with NWRI Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse, Second Edition (2003) (guidelines) to meet a UV design dosage greater than or equal to 100,000 uWsec/cm² (MS-2 dose) under peak flow and a minimum UV transmittance of 55% at 254 nm. A lower UV disinfection dosage may be authorized by the board department if demonstrated to meet at least one of the bacteria standards for Level 1 specified in 9VAC25-740-70 A, and where microbial testing is used to validate the efficacy of the UV disinfection dose in accordance with the guidelines. For the lower disinfection dose, the board department may develop reclaimed water turbidity standards and minimum UV transmittance requirements that are unique to the UV disinfection process of the reclamation system.

(2) The UV disinfection system shall be designed to supply the minimum dose specified in subdivision 2 a (1) of this subsection at all times. The system may be automated to immediately adjust the UV disinfection dosage in response to changes in the UV system influent reclaimed water flow and quality.

b. UV disinfection for Level 2 reclaimed water shall be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) for UV disinfection of secondary effluent.

B. Reclaimed water distribution system.

1. All reclaimed water distribution systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with this chapter and applicable sections of the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) pertaining to force mains, so that:

a. Reclaimed water does not come into contact with or otherwise contaminate a potable water system;

b. The structural integrity of the system is provided and maintained; and

c. The capability for inspection, maintenance, and testing is maintained.

2. For a reclaimed water distribution system, the following shall be implemented as part of the cross-connection and backflow prevention program submitted with the RWM plan:

a. There shall be no direct cross-connections between the reclaimed water distribution system and a potable water supply system.

b. The reclaimed water distribution system shall be in compliance with the cross connection control and backflow prevention requirements of Article 4 (12VAC5-590-580 et seq.) of Part II of the Commonwealth of Virginia Waterworks Regulations and, when applicable, the reclaimed water distribution system shall also be in compliance with the Virginia Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).

c. Potable water may be used to supplement reclaimed water for a reuse, provided there is an air gap separation of at least eight inches between the potable water and the reclaimed water or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device installed at the potable water service connection to the reuse. The installation of the reduced pressure principal backflow prevention device shall allow for proper inspection and testing of the device.

d. Reclaimed water shall not be returned to the reclaimed water distribution system after the reclaimed water has been delivered to an end user.

3. In-ground reclaimed water distribution pipelines shall be installed and maintained to achieve minimum separation distance and configurations as follows:

a. No reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall pass within 50 feet of a potable water supply well, potable water supply spring or water supply intake that are part of a regulated waterworks. The same separation distance shall be required between a reclaimed water distribution pipeline and a nonpublic or private potable water supply well or spring, but may be reduced to not less than 35 feet provided special construction and pipe materials are used to obtain adequate protection of the potable water supply.

b. Reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall be separated horizontally by at least 10 feet from a water main. The distance shall be measured edge-to-edge. When local conditions prohibit this horizontal separation, the reclaimed water distribution pipeline may be laid closer provided that the water main is in a separate trench or an undisturbed earth shelf located on one side of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline and the bottom of the water main is at least 18 inches above the top of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline. Where this vertical separation cannot be obtained, the reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall be constructed of water pipe material in accordance with AWWA specifications and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling. The hydrostatic test shall be conducted in accordance with the AWWA standard (ANSI/AWWA C600-05, effective December 1, 2005) for the pipe material, with a minimum test pressure of 30 psi.

c. Distribution pipeline that conveys Level 1 reclaimed water shall be separated horizontally by at least two feet from a sewer line. The distance shall be measured edge-to-edge. When local conditions prohibit this horizontal separation, the reclaimed water distribution pipeline may be laid closer provided that the sewer line is in a separate trench or an undisturbed earth shelf located on one side of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline and the bottom of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline is at least 18 inches above the top of the sewer line. Where this vertical separation cannot be obtained, either the reclaimed water distribution pipeline or the sewer line shall be constructed of water pipe material in accordance with AWWA specifications and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling. The hydrostatic test shall be conducted in accordance with the AWWA standard (ANSI/AWWA C600-05, effective December 1, 2005) for the pipe material, with a minimum test pressure of 30 psi.

d. Reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall cross under water main such that the top of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline is at least 18 inches below the bottom of the water main. When local conditions prohibit this vertical separation, the reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall be constructed of AWWA specified water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). Where reclaimed water distribution pipeline crosses over water main, the reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall:

(1) Be laid to provide a separation of at least 18 inches between the bottom of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline and the top of the water main.

(2) Be constructed of AWWA approved water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790).

(3) Have adequate structural support to prevent damage to the water main.

(4) Have joints placed equidistant and as far as possible from the water main joints.

e. Sewer line shall cross under distribution pipeline that conveys Level 1 reclaimed water such that the top of the sewer line is at least 18 inches below the bottom of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline. When local conditions prohibit this vertical separation, the sewer line shall be constructed of AWWA specified water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). Where sewer line crosses over distribution pipeline that conveys Level 1 reclaimed water, the sewer line shall:

(1) Be laid to provide a separation of at least 18 inches between the bottom of the sewer line and the top of the reclaimed water distribution pipeline.

(2) Be constructed of AWWA approved water pipe and pressure tested in place without leakage prior to backfilling, in accordance with the provisions of the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790).

(3) Have adequate structural support to prevent damage to the reclaimed water distribution pipeline.

(4) Have joints placed equidistant and as far as possible from the reclaimed water distribution pipeline joints.

f. No reclaimed water distribution pipeline shall pass through or come into contact with any part of a sewer manhole. Distribution pipeline that conveys Level 1 reclaimed water shall be separated horizontally by at least two feet from a sewer manhole whenever possible. The distance shall be measured from the edge of the pipe to the edge of the manhole structure. When local conditions prohibit this horizontal separation, the manhole shall be of watertight construction and tested in place.

4. No setback distance is required to any nonpotable water supply well and no vertical or horizontal separation distances are required between above-ground reclaimed water pipelines and potable water, sewer or wastewater pipelines.

5. All reclaimed water outlets shall be of a type, or secured in a manner, that permits operation by authorized personnel. Public access to reclaimed water outlets shall be controlled in areas where reclaimed water outlets are accessible to the public as follows:

a. If quick connection couplers are used on above-ground portions of the reclaimed water distribution system, they shall differ materially from those used on the potable water supply.

b. Use of above-ground hose bibs, spigots or other hand-operated connections that are standard on local potable water distribution systems shall be prohibited for use on the local reclaimed water distribution system. If above-ground hose bibs, spigots or other hand-operated connections are used on the reclaimed water distribution system, they must differ materially from those used on the local potable water distribution system and must be clearly distinguishable as reclaimed water connections (i.e., painted purple, valve operation with a special tool) so as not to be mistaken for potable water connections. Where below-grade vaults are used to house reclaimed water connections, the connections in the vault may have standard potable water distribution system thread and bib size services provided the bib valves can be operated only by a special tool. The below-grade vaults shall also be labeled as being part of the reclaimed water distribution system (i.e., painted purple, labeled).

6. Existing potable water distribution systems, sewer and wastewater collection systems, and irrigation distribution systems may be converted for use as reclaimed water distribution systems. Not less than 90 days prior to such conversions, excluding the conversion of irrigation distribution systems that are not under common ownership or management with reclamation systems, SRSs, or reclaimed water distribution systems providing reclaimed water to the irrigation distribution systems, the following shall be submitted to the board department for approval:

a. A system conversion plan that contains:

(1) Information on the location and identification of the facilities to be converted;

(2) Information on the location of all connections to the facilities to be converted;

(3) A description of procedures to be used to ensure that all connections and cross-connections shall be eliminated. This may include physical inspections, dye testing, or other testing procedures;

(4) A description of the physical and operational modifications necessary to convert the existing system to a reclaimed water distribution system that shall comply with applicable design criteria in subsections B and C of this section, and the operations and maintenance requirements of 9VAC25-740-140 D 2;

(5) A description of cleaning and disinfection procedures to be followed before the converted facilities will be placed into operation for reclaimed water distribution. For the conversion of existing sewer and wastewater collection systems, cleaning and disinfection of the system shall be conducted in accordance with AWWA standards (ANSI/AWWA C651-05, effective June 1, 2005). Procedures to dispose of flush water from cleaning or disinfection shall be those described in the operations and maintenance manual of the system for the disposal of flush water from maintenance activities;

(6) An assessment of the physical condition and integrity of facilities to be converted; and

(7) Reasonable assurance that cross-connections will not result, public health will be protected, and the integrity of potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems will be maintained when the conversion is made.

b. An operations and maintenance manual for the system converted to a reclaimed water distribution system in accordance with 9VAC25-740-140 B, containing at a minimum the items specified in 9VAC25-740-140 D.

7. Tank trucks may be used to transport and distribute reclaimed water only if the following requirements are met:

a. The truck is not used to transport potable water that is used for drinking water or food preparation;

b. The truck is not used to transport waters or other fluids that do not meet the requirements of this chapter, unless the tank has been evacuated and properly cleaned prior to the addition of the reclaimed water;

c. The truck is not filled through on-board piping or removable hoses that may subsequently be used to fill tanks with water from a potable water supply; and

d. The reclaimed water contents of the truck are clearly identified as nonpotable water on the truck.

8. Reclaimed water distribution systems shall have the following identification, notification and signage:

a. Reclaimed water piping with an outer diameter greater than or equal to one inch, installed in-ground after January 29, 2014, or above-ground shall display the words "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK" by one or more of the following methods:

(1) Stenciling or stamping the piping with two-inch to three-inch letters on opposite sides of the piping, placed at intervals of three to four feet. For piping less than two inches and greater than or equal to one inch outer diameter, lettering shall be at least 5/8 inch, placed on opposite sides of the piping and repeated at intervals of one foot.

(2) Wrapping the piping with purple (Pantone 522) polyethylene vinyl wrap or adhesive tape, placed longitudinally at three-foot intervals. The width of the wrap or tape shall be at least three inches, and shall display the required caution statement in either white or black lettering.

(3) Permanently affixing purple (Pantone 522) vinyl adhesive tape on top of the piping, parallel to the axis of the piping, fastened at least every 10 feet to each pipe section, and continuously for the entire length of the piping. The width of the tape shall be at least three inches, and shall display the required caution statement in either white or black lettering.

(4) Using an alternate method that assures the caution statement will be displayed to provide an equivalent degree of public notification and protection if approved by the board department.

b. Additional methods, if provided, to identify reclaimed water piping with an outer diameter greater than or equal to one inch (e.g., permanently color coding the piping Pantone 522 purple), shall not obscure any portion of the caution statement required pursuant to subdivision 8 a of this subsection.

c. Reclaimed water piping with an outer diameter less than one inch shall require the following:

(1) Where installed in-ground after January 29, 2014, or above ground, the piping shall be permanently color coded purple (Pantone 522). Longitudinal purple striping of the piping may be allowed provided the cumulative width of the stripes is greater than or equal to 25% of the outer pipe diameter.

(2) Where installed within a building or structure, the piping shall have in addition to color coding required per subdivision 8 c (1) of this subsection, the words "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER – DO NOT DRINK" embossed, stenciled, stamped, or affixed with adhesive tape on the piping, placed on opposite sides of the piping, and repeated at intervals of one foot. Lettering of the caution statement shall be of a size easily read by a person with normal vision at a distance of two feet.

d. All other above-ground portions of the reclaimed water distribution system including reclaimed water valves, outlets (including fire hydrants) and other appurtenances shall be color coded, taped, labeled, tagged or otherwise marked to notify the public and employees that the source of the water is reclaimed water, not intended for drinking or food preparation. For reclaimed water treated to Level 2, such notification shall also inform employees to practice good personal hygiene for incidental contact with reclaimed water and the public to avoid contact with the reclaimed water.

e. Each mechanical appurtenance of a reclaimed water distribution system shall be colored purple and legibly marked "RECLAIMED WATER" to identify it as a part of the reclaimed water distribution system and to distinguish it from mechanical appurtenances of a potable water distribution system or a wastewater collection system.

f. Valve boxes for reclaimed water distribution systems shall be painted purple. Valve covers for reclaimed water distribution lines shall not be interchangeable with potable water supply valve covers.

g. Existing potable water distribution systems, sewer or wastewater collection systems, or irrigation distribution systems that are converted to reclaimed water distribution systems in accordance with subdivision 6 of this subsection after January 29, 2014, shall be retrofitted to meet identification, notification, and signage requirements of subdivision 8 of this subsection with the following exceptions:

(1) For converted systems requiring the submission of a conversion plan and an operations and maintenance manual in accordance with subdivision 6 of this subsection, existing in-ground converted piping shall be retrofitted to a distance of not less than 10 feet from locations where the piping crosses or is crossed by a potable water supply line or sanitary sewer line.

(2) For all other converted systems, identification, notification, and signage requirements specified in subdivision 8 of this subsection for in-ground piping shall not apply.

9. All reclaimed water distribution systems shall be maintained to minimize losses and to ensure safe and reliable conveyance of reclaimed water such that the reclaimed water will not be degraded below the standards, excluding CAT standards, required for the intended reuse or reuses in accordance with 9VAC25-740-90.

C. Storage requirements.

1. To ensure reliable reclamation system operation in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, all reclamation systems shall have the ability to implement one or more of the following options:

a. Store reclaimed water;

b. Discharge reclaimed water to another permitted reuse system, if applicable;

c. Discharge reclaimed water to surface waters of the state under a VPDES permit;

d. Suspend all or a portion of water reclamation for planned periods; or

e. In the case of a satellite reclamation system, discharge reclaimed water into the sewage collection system from which it received source water for reclamation.

2. Storage for reclaimed water shall be required only when subdivision 1 b, c, or d of this subsection or, as applicable, subdivision 1 e of this subsection are not available or approved by the board department.

3. Separate, off-line storage shall be provided for reject water of the reclamation system unless the reject water can be diverted to another permitted reuse system, discharged to surface waters of the state under a VPDES permit, returned directly to an appropriate point of treatment in the reclamation system, or in the case of a satellite reclamation system, sent to the sewage collection system from which the reclamation system received water for reclamation. Where reject water is stored, provisions shall be incorporated into the design of the reclamation system to distribute the reject water from storage to other parts of the reclamation system for additional or repeated treatment.

4. Storage for reject water may also be used for emergency storage to ensure Reliability Class I of the reclamation system in accordance with 9VAC25-740-130.

5. Reject water and reclaimed water may be stored in watertight tanks placed above-ground or in-ground. Labeling of tanks used for reject water storage, system storage or nonsystem storage shall be in accordance with 9VAC25-740-160 B, and shall, at a minimum, identify the contents of each tank as either reject water or reclaimed water.

6. For all impoundments or ponds that are used for reject water storage or system storage, with the exception of impoundments and ponds specified in subdivision 7 of this subsection, the following are required:

a. A minimum two-foot freeboard shall be maintained at all times. Any emergency discharge or overflow device and the disposition of the overflow discharge shall be identified in the engineering report.

b. There shall be a minimum two-foot separation distance between the bottom of the impoundment or pond and the seasonal high water table.

c. The impoundment or pond shall have a properly designed and installed synthetic liner of at least 20 mils thickness or a compacted soil liner of at least one foot thickness. Synthetic liners shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations. The soil liner shall be composed of separate lifts not to exceed six inches. The maximum coefficient of permeability for the synthetic and soil liners shall not exceed 1x10^-6 cm/sec and 1x10^-7 cm/sec, respectively. A plan of quality assurance and quality control which substantiates the adequacy of the liner and its installation shall be included in or shall accompany the preliminary engineering report or supporting documentation for the CTC. Documentation of quality assurance and quality control activities on liner installation along with permeability test results, shall be submitted with the statement of construction completion to the board department.

d. If the requirements of subdivision 6 b or c of this subsection cannot be met, the board department may allow use of the impoundment or pond for storage provided that a groundwater monitoring plan for the facility is submitted to the board department for review and approval. The plan shall identify the direction of groundwater flow and the proposed location and depth of groundwater monitoring wells at the location of the impoundment or pond, parameters to be monitored, a monitoring schedule, and procedures for proper sample collection and handling.

e. The design of the impoundment or pond shall prevent the entry of surface water or storm water runoff from outside the facility embankment or berm.

f. Where the embankment of the impoundment or pond is composed of soil, the embankment shall have:

(1) A top width of at least five feet;

(2) Interior and exterior slopes no steeper than one foot vertical to three feet horizontal unless alternate methods of slope stabilization are used;

(3) Shallow-rooted vegetative cover or other soil stabilization to prevent erosion; and

(4) Erosion stops and water seals installed on all piping that penetrates the embankment.

g. There shall be routine maintenance of the impoundment or pond liner, embankments and access areas.

h. Impoundments and ponds shall be sited to avoid areas of uneven subsidence, sinkholes, or unstable soils unless provisions are made for their correction. Results from field and laboratory tests from an adequate number of test borings and soil samples shall be the basis for computations pertaining to permeability and stability analyses.

i. Impoundments or ponds shall not be located on a floodplain unless protected from inundation or damage by a 100-year frequency flood event.

j. There shall be a minimum setback distance measured horizontally from the perimeter of the storage impoundment or pond to potable water supply wells and springs, and public water supply intakes, of 100 feet for storage of Level 1 reclaimed water and 200 feet for storage of Level 2 reclaimed water or reject water.

7. Reject water storage and system storage impoundments or ponds that exist upon October 1, 2008, shall be exempt from the design, construction, and operation requirements specified in subdivision 6 of this subsection until such time these facilities are modified or expanded, or unless they have failed to comply with other existing regulatory or permitting requirements.

8. The capacity of reject water storage and system storage facilities, including impoundments, ponds or tanks, shall be as follows:

a. For reject water, the capacity of the storage facility shall, at a minimum, be the volume equal to the designated design flow of the reclamation system unless other options exist for immediate disposal or retreatment of the reject water in addition to storage.

b. For reclaimed water, the capacity of the storage facility shall be determined by the seasonal variability in demand, intended reuses with intermittent, variable demand, such as fire protection or fighting; and the availability of other options to generate or manage reclaimed water as specified in subdivision 1 of this subsection.

(1) Where there is no or minimal seasonal variability in demand and no other options are available for alternative generation or management of all or a portion of the reclaimed water, the capacity of the storage facility shall, at a minimum, be the volume equal to three times that portion of the reclamation system designated design flow for which no other options to generate or manage the reclaimed water from the reclamation system are permitted.

(2) Where there is seasonal variability in demand and no other options are available for alternative generation or management of all or a portion of the reclaimed water during periods of low seasonal demand, storage facilities shall have sufficient storage capacity to assure the retention of the reclaimed water under conditions and circumstances that preclude reuse. The methods, assumptions and calculations used to determine the system storage requirements shall be provided and justified in the preliminary engineering report or supporting documentation for the CTC. Analytical means of determining system storage requirements, such as water balance calculations or computer hydrological programs, shall be used and shall account for all water inputs into the system. Analysis shall be based on site-specific data. Irrigation efficiencies or rainfall efficiencies shall not be used in storage volume determinations.

9. Requirements specified in subdivision 6 of this subsection shall not apply to impoundments or ponds used for nonsystem storage with the exception of those specified in subdivision 11 of this subsection.

10. Landscape impoundments may also be used for nonsystem storage of reclaimed water prior to another subsequent reuse, such as irrigation.

11. Impoundments or ponds used for nonsystem storage of reclaimed water, including landscape impoundments, for subsequent irrigation reuse on sites under common ownership or management with the reclamation system or satellite reclamation system that provides reclaimed water to the sites, shall comply with the design, construction and operation requirements specified in subdivision 6 of this subsection.

12. For impoundments or ponds used for nonsystem storage of reclaimed water, the following setback distances shall apply:

a. There shall be a 50-foot minimum setback distance measured horizontally from the perimeter of the impoundment or pond to property lines.

b. For an impoundment or pond with a liner meeting the requirements specified in subdivision 6 c of this subsection, there shall be a minimum setback distance measured horizontally from the perimeter of the storage impoundment or pond to potable water supply wells and springs, and public water supply intakes, of 100 feet for storage of Level 1 reclaimed water and 200 feet for storage of Level 2 reclaimed water.

c. For an unlined impoundment or pond, there shall be a minimum setback distance measured horizontally from the perimeter of the storage impoundment or pond to potable water supply wells and springs, and public water supply intakes, of 200 feet for storage of Level 1 reclaimed water and 400 feet for storage of Level 2 reclaimed water.

13. Where more than one setback distance applies to storage for reclaimed water or reject water, the greater setback distance shall govern.

14. Reclaimed water system storage facilities shall be designed and operated to prevent a discharge to surface waters of the state except in the event of a storm greater than the 25-year, 24-hour storm. Reclaimed water nonsystem storage facilities, including landscape impoundments used for nonsystem storage, shall be designed and operated to prevent a discharge to surface waters of the state, except in the event of a storm greater than the 10-year, 24-hour storm.

15. Permittees shall maintain current inventories of reject water storage, system storage and nonsystem storage facilities located within the service area of the RWM plan. An inventory or a revised inventory shall be submitted as part of the RWM plan in the permit application. For the addition of new storage facilities to an inventory after permit issuance, the permittee shall submit to the board department an amended inventory at least 30 days before reclaimed water will be introduced into the new storage facilities. An inventory of reject water storage, system storage and nonsystem storage facilities shall include the following:

a. Name or identifier for each storage facility;

b. Location of each storage facility (including latitude and longitude);

c. Function of each storage facility (i.e., reject water storage, system storage or nonsystem storage);

d. Type of each storage facility (i.e., covered tank, uncovered tank, lined pond, unlined pond, etc.); and

e. Location (latitude and longitude) and distance of the nearest potable water supply well and spring, and public water supply intake, to each storage facility within 450 feet of that facility.

16. Storage requirements as specified in this subsection shall not apply to reclaimed water storage facilities provided at the site of an industrial end user where such facilities are regulated by an existing water permit issued by the board department to the industrial end user, or the industrial end user is also the generator of reclaimed water stored in the facilities and is excluded under 9VAC25-740-50 A.

9VAC25-740-120. Construction requirements.

A. Preliminary engineering report and pilot study.

1. A preliminary engineering report shall be submitted for new water reclamation projects and for modification or expansion of existing reclamation systems, SRSs, and reclaimed water distributions systems. At the request of the applicant or permittee, the board department may waive the need for a preliminary engineering report or portions of a preliminary engineering report for modification or expansion of an existing reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distributions system based on the scope of the proposed project.

2. A pilot study shall be required where treatment is proposed for a reclamation system of an IPR project.

a. The pilot study shall demonstrate the ability of selected treatment processes to:

(1) Meet, at a minimum, the reclaimed water standards prescribed for the IPR project in accordance with 9VAC25-740-90 C, and

(2) Generate a consistent and reliable supply of reclaimed water for the IPR project.

b. The pilot study shall quantify and characterize the quality of source water provided for reclamation and reclaimed water generated by the treatment processes of the reclamation system for a period of not less than 365 days unless reduced by the board department in accordance with subdivision 2 c of this subsection.

c. At the request of the applicant or permittee, the board department may reduce the pilot study duration specified in subdivision 2 b of this subsection or the pilot study scope where the following are met:

(1) The applicant or permittee provides a detailed plan of study for the board's department's review and approval before initiating the pilot study, and

(2) The detailed plan of study justifies to the satisfaction of the board department that a pilot study of shorter duration or reduced scope will be sufficient to achieve the requirements of subdivision 2 a of this subsection. For the purpose of reducing the duration or scope of a pilot study, results of previous pilot studies and operating experiences of similar water reclamation and IPR projects may be used as part of the demonstration required pursuant to subdivision 2 a of this subsection.

d. Results of the pilot study shall be submitted to the board department for review.

B. Certificate to construct and certificate to operate.

1. No owner shall cause or allow the construction, expansion or modification of a reclamation system or SRS except in compliance with a certificate to construct (CTC) from the board department unless otherwise provided for by this chapter. Furthermore, no owner shall cause or allow any reclamation system or SRS to be operated except in compliance with a certificate to operate (CTO) issued by the board department, which authorizes the operation of the reclamation system or SRS, unless otherwise provided for by this chapter. The need for a CTC and CTO for modifications shall be determined by the board department on a case-by-case basis. Conditions may be imposed on the issuance of any CTC or CTO, and no reclamation system or SRS may be constructed, modified, or operated in violation of these conditions.

2. CTC.

a. Upon approval of the proposed design by the board department, including any submitted plans and specifications, if required, the board department will issue a CTC to the owner of such approval to construct or modify his reclamation system or SRS in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

b. Any deviations from the approved design or the submitted plans and specifications significantly affecting hydraulic conditions (flow profile), unit operations capacity, the functioning of the reclamation system or SRS, or the quality of the reclaimed water, must be approved by the board department before any such changes are made.

3. CTO.

a. Upon completion of the construction or modification of the reclamation system or SRS, the owner shall submit to the board department a Statement of Construction Completion signed by a licensed professional engineer stating that the construction work has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, or revised only in accordance with subdivision 2 b of this subsection. This statement shall be based upon inspections of the reclamation system or SRS during and after construction or modifications that are adequate to ensure the truth of the statement.

b. Upon receipt of the construction completion statement, the board department may issue a final CTO. However, the board department may delay the granting of the CTO pending inspection, or satisfactory evaluation of reclaimed water test results, to ensure that the work has been satisfactorily completed.

c. A conditional CTO may be issued specifying final approval conditions, with specific time periods for completion of unfinished work, revisions to the operations and maintenance manual, or other appropriate items. The board department may issue a conditional CTO to owners of a reclamation system or SRS for which the required information for completion of construction has not been received. Such CTOs will contain appropriate conditions requiring the completion of any unfinished or incomplete work including subsequent submission of the statement of completion of construction.

d. An interim CTO may be issued to individual unit operations of the treatment system so as to allow utilization of these unit operations prior to completion of the total project. A final CTO shall be issued upon verification that the requirements of this chapter have been complied with.

e. Within 30 days after placing a new or modified reclamation system or SRS into operation, the board department may require reclaimed water produced by the system to be sampled and tested in a manner sufficient to demonstrate compliance with approved specifications and permit requirements. The board department shall be notified of the time and place of the tests, and shall be sent the results of the tests for evaluation as part of the final CTO.

f. Within 90 days of placing the new or modified reclamation system or SRS into operation, the owner shall submit a new or revised operations and maintenance manual for the water reclamation system, SRS, or both, if covered by the same permit. The manual shall contain information as specified in 9VAC25-740-140.

g. The board department may amend or reissue a CTO where there is a change in the manner of treatment or the source of water that is reclaimed at the permitted location, or for any other cause incidental to the protection of the public health and welfare, provided notice is given to the owner.

9VAC25-740-130. Operator requirements and system reliability.

A. Operator requirements. In accordance with the Virginia Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals Regulations (18VAC160-20), each reclamation system shall be assigned a classification based on the treatment processes used to reclaim water and the design capacity of the facility. The classification of both the reclamation system and the operator in responsible charge shall be the same as that specified in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) for sewage treatment works with similar treatment processes and design capacities. The reclamation system shall be manned while in operation and under the supervision of the operator in responsible charge unless the system is equipped with remote monitoring and, as applicable, automated diversion of substandard or reject water in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 C 1.

B. Reliability Class I as defined in 9VAC25-740-10 is required for Level 1 reclamation systems, satellite reclamation systems, and for pump stations considered part of these systems, unless there is a permitted alternate treatment, discharge or disposal system available with sufficient capacity to handle any reclaimed water flows that do not meet the reclaimed water standards of this chapter or performance criteria established in the operations and maintenance manual.

C. Reliability Class I, as defined in 9VAC25-740-10, is required for a reclamation system identified as a component of an IPR project in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 D 1, including pump stations that are part of the reclamation system. No exception or variance shall be granted for this requirement.

D. For independent reclamation systems and systems consisting of an industrial wastewater treatment works and reclamation system, the applicability of Reliability Class I requirements as specified in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790), shall be determined by the board department for each proposed or existing system.

E. The board department may approve alternative measures to achieve Reliability Class I specified in the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790) and this chapter if the applicant or permittee can demonstrate in the engineering report, using accepted and appropriate engineering principles and practices, that the alternative measures will achieve a level of reliability equivalent to Reliability Class I.

9VAC25-740-140. Operations and maintenance.

A. The permittee shall develop and submit to the board department an operations and maintenance manual in accordance with 9VAC25-740-120 B 3 f for each reclamation system, SRS, or combination of these facilities covered by the same permit. The permittee shall maintain the manual and any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee shall be documented and submitted to the board department within 90 days of the effective date of the changes.

B. For each reclaimed water distribution system, the permittee shall develop an operations and maintenance manual to be made available at a location central to the system. The permittee shall maintain the manual and include any changes in the practices and procedures followed by the permittee in the manual. The operations and maintenance manual for a reclaimed water distribution system may be included in the operations and maintenance manual described in subsection A of this section where the reclaimed water distribution system and a reclamation system or SRS, or all these facilities are covered by the same permit.

C. For a reclamation system authorized under the permit of a wastewater treatment works that provides flow to the reclamation system, the operations and maintenance manual of the reclamation system may be made a part of the operations and maintenance manual for the wastewater treatment works.

D. The operations and maintenance manual is a set of detailed instructions developed to facilitate the operator's understanding of operational constraints and maintenance requirements for the reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system; and the monitoring and reporting requirements specified in the permit issued for each system. The scope and content of the manual will be determined by the complexity of the system or systems described by the manual.

1. For a reclamation system or SRS, the operations and maintenance manual shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

a. A description of unit treatment processes within the reclamation system or SRS and step-by-step instructions for the operation of these processes;

b. Routine maintenance and schedules of maintenance for each unit treatment process in the system;

c. The criteria used to make continuous determinations of the acceptability of the reclaimed water being produced and shall include set points for parameters measured by continuous on-line monitoring equipment;

d. Descriptions of sampling and monitoring procedures and record keeping that comply with the requirements of this chapter and any applicable permit conditions;

e. The physical steps and procedures to be followed by the operator when substandard water is being produced, including resampling and operational review in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 C;

f. The physical steps and procedures to be followed by the operator when the treatment works returns to normal operation and acceptable quality reclaimed water is again being produced;

g. Procedures to be followed during a period when an operator is not present at the treatment works;

h. Information necessary for the proper management of sludge or residuals from reclamation treatment that is not specifically requested in the application for a VPDES or VPA permit; and

i. A contingency plan to eliminate or minimize the potential for untreated or inadequately treated water to be delivered to reuse areas. The plan shall, as applicable, reference and coordinate with the education and notification program specified in 9VAC25-740-170 A for any release of untreated or inadequately treated water to the reclaimed water distribution system.

2. For a reclaimed water distribution system, the operations and maintenance manual shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

a. A map of the distribution system, a description of all components within the distribution system, and step-by-step instructions for the operation of specific mechanical components;

b. Routine and unplanned inspection of the distribution system, including required inspections for the cross-connection and backflow prevention program as specified in 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 g;

c. Routine maintenance and schedules of maintenance for all components of the distribution system. Maintenance shall include, but is not be limited to, initial and routine flushing of the distribution system, measures to prevent or minimize corrosion, fouling and clogging of distribution lines; and detection and repair of broken distribution lines, flow meters or pumping equipment; and

d. Procedures to:

(1) Handle and dispose of any wastes generated by maintenance of the distribution system in a manner protective of the environment;

(2) Prevent the discharge of reclaimed or flush water from distribution system maintenance activities to:

(a) Storm drains;

(b) State waters unless otherwise authorized by the board department; and

(c) Sanitary sewers unless allowed under local sewer use ordinances and authorized by the board department; and

(3) Collect and, as applicable, retreat reclaimed water or treat flush water from distribution system maintenance activities for a subsequent reuse or use approved by the board department.

E. The permittee shall review and revise the operations and maintenance manual, as needed and appropriate, to ensure that the manual contains procedures and criteria addressing the requirements of subsection D of this section for satisfactory system performance. Any revision to the manual shall be reviewed and approved by the board department.

F. The permittee of a reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system shall be responsible for making the facility protective of the environment and public health at all times, including periods of inactivation or closure. Included in the operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system, SRS, or reclaimed water distribution system, the permittee shall submit a plan for inactivation or closure of the facility, specifying what steps will be taken to protect the environment and public health.

G. Where a bulk irrigation reuse site is under common ownership or management with a reclamation system or SRS that generates reclaimed water applied to the site, the operations and maintenance manual for the reclamation system or SRS shall include the following:

1. Measurements and calculations used to determine supplemental irrigation rates of reclaimed water for the irrigation reuse sites;

2. Operating procedures of the irrigation system;

3. Routine maintenance required for the continued design performance of the irrigation system and reuse sites;

4. Identification and routine maintenance of reclaimed water storage facilities dedicated to bulk irrigation reuse;

5. Schedules for harvesting and crop removal at the irrigation reuse sites;

6. An inventory of spare parts to be maintained for the irrigation system; and

7. Any other information essential to the operation of the irrigation system and reuse sites in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

9VAC25-740-150. Management of pollutants from significant industrial users.

A. A reclamation system that receives source water from a wastewater treatment works having SIUs shall not be permitted to produce reclaimed water meeting Level 1 standards, unless:

1. The wastewater treatment works providing source water to the reclamation system is a publicly owned treatment works as defined in the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31-10), and has a pretreatment program required by and developed in accordance with procedures described in Part VII of the VPDES Permit Regulation (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.); or

2. The reclamation system has evaluated source water from the treatment works for pollutants of concern discharged by SIUs to the treatment works, and has confirmed that such pollutants shall not interfere with the ability of the wastewater treatment works to produce source water suitable for the production of reclaimed water meeting Level 1 standards and any other standards required in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 D. All such evaluations by the reclamation system shall be submitted to the board department for review and approval, and shall be repeated for each new SIU that proposes to discharge to the treatment works prior to commencing such discharge. The reclamation system shall maintain a current inventory of SIUs discharging to the treatment works.

B. The permittee of a reclamation system authorized to produce reclaimed water treated to Level 1 shall establish a contractual agreement with all treatment works providing source water to the reclamation system unless the reclamation system and the treatment works are authorized by the same permit. The contractual agreement shall, at a minimum, require the treatment works to notify the reclamation system of all SIUs that discharge to the treatment works. Upon execution of the contractual agreement, a copy of the agreement shall be provided to the board department.

C. A satellite reclamation system (SRS) that receives municipal wastewater or sewage from a sewage collection system pipeline with contributions from SIU discharges, excluding any SIUs whose discharge has no potential to reach the SRS intake, shall not be permitted to produce reclaimed water meeting Level 1 standards, unless the SRS has evaluated pollutants of concern discharged by the SIUs and has confirmed that such pollutants shall not interfere with the ability of the SRS to produce reclaimed water meeting Level 1 standards and any other standards required in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 D. All such evaluations by the SRS shall be submitted to the board department for review and approval, and shall be repeated for each new SIU that proposes to discharge to the sewage collection system and whose discharge has the potential to reach the SRS intake prior to commencing such discharge. The SRS shall maintain a current inventory of all SIUs that discharge pollutants of concern to the sewage collection system capable of reaching the intake of the SRS.

D. The permittee of a SRS authorized to produce reclaimed water treated to Level 1 shall establish a contractual agreement with the sewage collection system providing sewage to the SRS. The contractual agreement shall, at a minimum, require the sewage collection system to notify the SRS of all SIUs that discharge to the sewage collection system. Upon execution of the contractual agreement, a copy of the agreement shall be provided to the board department.

E. Any VPDES permitted treatment works with SIUs that provides source water for reclamation and subsequent indirect potable reuse shall have the following:

1. For publicly owned treatment works, a pretreatment program where required by the VPDES Permit Regulation or deemed necessary by the board department, developed in accordance with procedures described in Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of the VPDES Permit Regulation.

2. For all other treatment works, a program equivalent to a pretreatment program as described in Part VII (9VAC25-31-730 et seq.) of the VPDES Permit Regulation, if deemed necessary by the board department.

9VAC25-740-160. Access control and advisory signs.

A. There shall be no uncontrolled public access to reclamation systems, SRSs, and system storage facilities. Access to any wastewater treatment works directly associated with a reclamation system or SRS shall be controlled in accordance with the Sewage Collection and Treatment Regulations (9VAC25-790). System storage ponds shall be enclosed with a fence or otherwise designed with appropriate features to discourage the entry of animals and unauthorized persons.

B. Where advisory signs or placards are required as described in subsections C and D of this section or 9VAC25-740-110 C 5 for above-ground storage facilities, each sign shall state, at a minimum, "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER – DO NOT DRINK" and have the equivalent standard international symbol for nonpotable water. The size of the sign and lettering used shall be such that it can be easily read by a person with normal vision at a distance of 50 feet. Alternate signage and wording that assures an equivalent degree of public notification and protection may be accepted by the board department.

C. For all reuses of reclaimed water treated to Level 2, fencing around the site boundary is not required but public access shall be restricted. Advisory signs shall be posted around reuse areas or reuse site boundaries, and shall additionally state the nature of the reuse and no trespassing.

D. For all reuses of reclaimed water treated to Level 1, advisory signs or placards shall be posted within and at the boundaries of reuse areas. The advisory signs or placards shall additionally state the nature of the reuse. Examples of some notification methods that may be used by permittees include posting advisory signs at entrances to residential neighborhoods where reclaimed water is used for landscape irrigation and posting advisory signs at the entrance to a golf course and at the first and tenth tees.

E. Advisory signs shall be posted adjacent to impoundments or ponds, including landscape impoundments, used for nonsystem storage of reclaimed water.

F. For industrial reuses, advisory signs shall be posted around those areas of the industrial site where reclaimed water is used and at the main entrances to the industrial site to notify employees and the visiting public of the reclaimed water reuse. Access control beyond what is normally provided by the industry is not required.

9VAC25-740-170. Use area requirements.

A. Education and notification program. An education and notification program (program) shall be developed and submitted with the RWM plan in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 for reuses that require Level 1 reclaimed water, will be in areas accessible to the public, or are likely to have human contact. For indirect potable reuse (IPR) projects that do not require a RWM plan, the program shall be submitted with the application to permit the project in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 D. The program shall be the responsibility of the permittee to implement.

1. Education. The education component of the program shall:

a. For end users and the public likely to have contact with reclaimed water, provide information:

(1) To ensure that they are informed of the origin, nature, and characteristics of the reclaimed water; the manner in which the reclaimed water can be used safely; and uses for which the reclaimed water is prohibited or limited;

(2) To individual end users, at the time of their initial connection to the reclaimed water distribution system, which may be provided in the service agreement or contract with the permittee established in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 d; and

(3) To individual end users, annually or more often after the reclaimed water distribution system is placed into operation for nonbulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water not treated to achieve biological nutrient removal (BNR).

b. For IPR projects, provide information to generators of source water for reclamation and IPR that are other than SIUs. This information shall describe methods and practices to avoid or reduce the introduction of contaminants from domestic and commercial sources into the wastewater collection system prior to reclamation and shall be provided to individual generators annually or more often after the reclamation system is placed into operation.

c. Describe all modes of communication to be used to educate and inform, including, but not limited to, meetings, distribution of written information, the news media (i.e., newspapers, radio, television, or the Internet), and advisory signs as described in 9VAC25-740-160.

2. Notification. The notification component of the program shall contain procedures to notify end users and the affected public of discharges of substandard reclaimed water to reuse that can adversely impact human health, or the loss of reclaimed water service due to planned or unplanned causes.

a. Notifications required for discharge of substandard reclaimed water to reuse.

(1) For reuses other than IPR. Where treatment of the reclaimed water fails more than once during a seven-day period to comply with Level 1 disinfection or other standards developed in accordance with 9VAC25-740-70 D or 9VAC25-740-70 E for the protection of human health, and the noncompliant reclaimed water has been discharged to a reclaimed water distribution system or directly to a reuse, the permittee shall notify the end user of the treatment failures and advise the end user of precautions to be taken to protect human health when using the reclaimed water in areas accessible to the public or where human contact with the reclaimed water is likely. These precautions shall be implemented for a period of seven days or greater depending on the frequency and magnitude of the treatment failure.

(2) For IPR. Where treatment of the reclaimed water fails at any time to comply with standards specified in 9VAC25-740-90 C and is discharged to the water supply source (WSS), the permittee shall notify the owner or management of the waterworks that withdraws water from the affected WSS of the time, duration, volume, and pollutant characteristics of the noncompliant discharge within a period of less than or equal to half the shortest determined travel time between the reclamation system discharge and the waterworks intake, but in no case greater than eight hours. Such notification shall be implemented for a period of seven days or greater depending on the frequency and magnitude of the noncompliant reclaimed water discharge and the ability of subsequent multiple barriers as described in the permit application of the IPR project to mitigate the impact of the discharge on the WSS.

b. Notifications required for loss of service.

(1) For reuses other than IPR. Where reclaimed water service to end users will be interrupted due to planned causes, such as scheduled maintenance or repairs, the permittee shall provide advance notice to end users of the anticipated date and duration of the interrupted service. Where reclaimed water service to end users is disrupted by unplanned causes, such as an upset at the reclamation system, the permittee shall notify end users and the affected public of the disrupted service if it cannot or will not be restored within eight hours of discovery.

(2) For IPR. Where the discharge of the reclamation system to the WSS will be interrupted due to planned causes, such as scheduled maintenance or repairs, the permittee shall provide advance notice to the owner or management of the waterworks that withdraws water from the WSS of the anticipated date, duration, and cause for the interrupted discharge. Where the discharge of the reclamation system is interrupted by unplanned causes, such as an upset at the reclamation system, the permittee shall notify the waterworks owner or management of the interrupted discharge if the discharge cannot or will not be restored within eight hours of initial occurrence.

c. The notification component of the program shall describe all modes of communication that may be used to provide the notifications specified in subdivisions 2 a and b of this subsection. Modes of communication may include, but are not limited to, those described in subdivision 1 c of this subsection for the education component of the education and notification program.

B. Reclaimed water shall be used in a manner that is consistent with this chapter and with the conditions of the VPDES or VPA permit, such that public health and the environmental shall be protected.

C. Reclaimed water delivered to end users shall comply with reclaimed water standards required for the intended reuses at the point of delivery to end users.

D. There shall be no nuisance conditions resulting from the distribution, use, or storage of reclaimed water.

E. For all irrigation reuses of reclaimed water, the following shall be required:

1. There shall be no application of reclaimed water to the ground when it is saturated, frozen or covered with ice or snow, and during periods of rainfall.

2. The chosen method of irrigation shall minimize human contact with the reclaimed water.

3. Reclaimed water shall be prevented from coming into contact with drinking fountains, water coolers, or eating surfaces.

F. For bulk irrigation reuse of reclaimed water, the following shall be required:

1. Irrigation systems shall be designed, installed and adjusted to:

a. Provide uniform distribution of the reclaimed water over the irrigation site;

b. Prevent ponding or pooling of reclaimed water at the irrigation site;

c. Facilitate maintenance and harvesting of irrigated areas and preclude damage to the irrigation system from the use of maintenance or harvesting equipment;

d. Prevent aerosol carry-over from the irrigation site to areas beyond the setback distances described in subsection H of this section; and

e. Prevent clogging from algae or suspended solids.

2. All pipes, pumps, valve boxes and outlets of the irrigation system shall be designed, installed, and identified in accordance with 9VAC25-740-110 B.

3. Any reclaimed water runoff shall be confined to the irrigation reuse site unless authorized by the board department.

G. Overspray of surface waters, including wetlands, from irrigation or other reuses of reclaimed water is prohibited.

H. Setback distances for irrigation reuses of reclaimed water.

1. For sites irrigated with reclaimed water treated to Level 1, the setback distances provided in Table 170-H1 are required:

Table 170-H1 Setback Distances for Irrigation Reuses of Reclaimed Water Treated to Level 1
Feature Requiring Setback	Setback Distance
a. Potable water supply wells and springs and public water supply intakes	100 feet
b. Nonpotable water supply wells	10 feet
c. Limestone rock outcrops and sinkholes	50 feet

2. For sites irrigated with reclaimed water treated to Level 1, no setback distances are required from occupied dwellings and outdoor eating, drinking and bathing facilities. However, aerosol formation shall be minimized within 100 feet of occupied dwellings and outdoor eating, drinking and bathing facilities through the use of low trajectory nozzles for spray irrigation, above-ground drip irrigation, or other means.

3. For sites irrigated with reclaimed water treated to Level 2, the setback distances provided in Table 170-H2 are required:

Table 170-H2 Setback Distances for Irrigation Reuses of Reclaimed Water Treated to Level 2
Feature Requiring Setback	Setback Distance
a. Potable water supply wells and springs and public water supply intakes	200 feet
b. Nonpotable water supply wells	10 feet
c. Surface waters, including wetlands	50 feet
d. Occupied dwellings	200 feet
e. Property lines and areas accessible to the public	100 feet
f. Limestone rock outcrops and sinkholes	50 feet

4. For sites irrigated with reclaimed water treated to Level 2, the setback distances may be reduced as follows:

a. Up to but not exceeding 50% from occupied dwellings and areas accessible to the public if it can be demonstrated that alternative measures shall be implemented to provide an equivalent level of public health protection. Such measures shall include, but are not limited to, disinfection of the reclaimed water equivalent to Level 1, application of the reclaimed water by methods that minimize aerosol formation (e.g., low trajectory nozzles for spray irrigation, above-ground drip irrigation), installation of permanent physical barriers to prevent migration of aerosols from the reclaimed water irrigation site, or any combination thereof. Written consent of affected landowners is required to reduce setback distances from occupied dwellings.

b. Up to 100 % from property lines with written consent from adjacent landowners.

c. To but not less than 100 feet from potable water supply wells and springs, or public water supply intakes if it can be demonstrated that disinfection of the reclaimed water is equivalent to Level 1 and there are no other constituents of the reclaimed water present in quantities sufficient to be harmful to human health.

d. To but not less than 25 feet from surface waters, including wetlands, where reclaimed water shall be applied by methods that minimize aerosol formation (e.g., low trajectory nozzles for spray irrigation, above-ground drip irrigation); or permanent physical barriers are installed to prevent the migration of aerosols from the reclaimed water irrigation site to surface waters.

5. Application of reclaimed water shall not occur during winds of sufficient strength to cause overspray or aerosol drift into or beyond the buffer zones or setbacks specified in subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection.

6. For irrigation reuses where more than one setback distance may apply, the greater setback distance shall govern.

7. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all setback distances shall be measured horizontally.

I. Minimum separation distances for in-ground reclaimed water distribution pipelines specified in 9VAC25-740-110 B 3, shall apply to in-ground piping for irrigation systems of reclaimed water.

J. A setback distance of 100 feet horizontally shall be maintained from indoor aesthetic features (i.e., decorative waterfalls or fountains) that use reclaimed water treated to Level 1, to adjacent indoor public eating and drinking facilities where the aesthetic features have the potential to create aerosols and eating and drinking facilities are within the same room or building space.

K. A setback distance of 300 feet horizontally shall be provided from an open cooling tower to the site property line where reclaimed water treated to Level 2 is used in the tower. No setback distance shall be required from an open cooling tower to the site property line where a drift or mist eliminator is installed and properly operated or reclaimed water treated to Level 1 disinfection standards is used in the tower. Treatment of the reclaimed water to Level 1 disinfection standards may be provided by the industrial end user through the contract or agreement established by the permittee in accordance with 9VAC25-740-100 C 1 d.

9VAC25-740-180. Operational flow requirements.

A. When the monthly average flow into a reclamation system or SRS reaches 95% of the designated design flow authorized by the VPDES or VPA permit issued to that system for each month of any three-month period, the permittee shall within 30 days notify the board department in writing and within 90 days submit a plan of action for ensuring continued compliance with the terms of the permit.

B. The plan of action described in subsection A of this section shall include the necessary steps and a prompt schedule of implementation for controlling any current problem, or any problem that could be reasonably anticipated, resulting from high flows entering the reclamation system or SRS.

C. Upon receipt of the permittee's plan of action described in subsection A of this section, the board department shall notify the owner whether the plan is approved or disapproved. If the plan is disapproved, such notification shall state the reasons and specify the actions necessary to obtain approval of the plan.

D. Failure to timely submit an adequate plan of action in accordance with subsection A of this section shall be deemed a violation of the permit.

E. Nothing herein shall in any way impair the authority of the board department to take enforcement action under § 62.1-44.15, 62.1-44.23, or 62.1-44.32 of the Code of Virginia.

9VAC25-740-200. Reporting.

A. Permittees of water reclamation systems and SRSs shall submit a monthly monitoring report to the board department. The report shall include monitoring results for parameters contained in the VPDES or VPA permit to demonstrate compliance with applicable reclaimed water standards of this chapter.

B. Interruption or loss of reclaimed water supply or discharge of any untreated or partially treated water that fails to comply with standards specified in the VPDES or VPA permit to the service area of intended reuse, shall be reported in accordance with procedures specified in the permit. This report shall also contain a description of any notification provided in accordance with 9VAC25-740-170 A 2.

C. Permittees of reclaimed water distribution systems shall submit an annual report to the board department on or before February 10 of the following year. The annual report shall, at a minimum:

1. Estimate the volume of reclaimed water distributed to the service area of the RWM plan, reported as monthly totals for a 12-month period from January 1 through December 31;

2. Provide for reclaimed water not treated to achieve BNR that is used within the service area of the RWM plan, the monthly average concentrations of total N and total P in the reclaimed water, an estimate of the monthly total volume of reclaimed water used for nonbulk irrigation and for bulk irrigation, the monthly total nutrient loads (N and P) to the service area resulting from nonbulk irrigation reuse and from bulk irrigation reuse, and the area in active reuse for nonbulk irrigation and for bulk irrigation within the service area, all reported for a 12-month period from January 1 through December 31; and

3. Provide a summary of ongoing education and notification program activities, including copies of education materials, as required by 9VAC25-740-170 A.

9VAC25-740-210. Delegation of authority. (Repealed.)

The director or the director's designee may perform any act of the board provided under this chapter, except as limited by § 62.1-44.14 of the Code of Virginia.