Section 216-RICR-50-05-1.5 - Approval of Treatment Works, Storage and Pumping FacilitiesA. No new water treatment works or water storage or pumping facilities shall be constructed or such existing works or facilities substantially altered until design plans, engineering calculations, pumping test data, water quality testing results, component specifications, and any other information necessary to demonstrate compliance with this Part, prepared by a professional engineer registered in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-8, and a plan for operation and maintenance, have been approved by the Director. Such plans shall also be provided in electronic format compatible with the Department's computer software. The design of water treatment works, water storage or water pumping facilities should reflect the guidance contained in Recommended Standards for Water Works: Policies for the Review and Approval of Plans and Specifications for Public Water Supplies, incorporated by reference in § 1.24(A) of this Part, where applicable. These facilities shall also be installed and constructed in accordance with applicable American Water Works Association (AWWA) Standards with reference to materials used and construction procedures to be followed. Exceptions from this requirement may be granted by the Director.1. Any chemical or substance added to a public water supply, any materials used in the manufacture of public water supply components or appurtenances, or any pipe, storage tank, valve, fixture or other materials which come in contact with water intended for use in a public water supply shall meet American National Standards Institute/NSF International standards, specifically ANSI/NSF Standard 60 (most recent edition) and ANSI/NSF Standard 61 (most recent edition) which are hereby adopted by reference.2. Only products which meet the standards adopted in or pursuant to this Section shall be used by a supplier of water in a public water supply. Certification that a product meets the standards adopted pursuant to this Section by an organization having a third-party certification program accredited by American National Standards Institute, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, or the International Accreditation Service, Inc. or equivalent to test and certify products shall be prima facie evidence that a product meets the standards. Product Type | Standard |
Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals | 60 |
Pipes and Related Products | 61 |
Protective (Barrier) Materials | 61 |
Joining and Sealing Materials | 61 |
Process Media | 61 |
Mechanical Devices | 61 |
Plumbing Devices | 61 |
3. NSF Standards have also been developed for certain Drinking Water Treatment Units. Units meeting these criteria may be considered for approval, if deemed appropriate by the Director. Product Type | Standard |
Cation Exchange Water Softeners | 44 |
Drinking Water Distillation Systems | 62 |
B. All new or substantially renovated infrastructure subject to approval by this part shall avoid or be elevated above the 500-year flood elevation as delineated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Where it is not feasible to avoid nor elevate above the 500-year flood elevation, then the facility shall be elevated to the maximum extent feasible and flood proofed. Flood proofing includes: use of sealants and membranes to prevent the entrance of flood water into the structure through the walls, watertight shields over doors and windows, and other measures to restrict water ingress or damage caused by immersion. The Director must approve the determination that it is not feasible to avoid or elevate above the 500-year flood elevation.C. Uncovered finished water storage facilities are prohibited.D. All newly constructed PWS or additions to existing PWS shall be flushed, adequately disinfected, and the water examined for the presence of coliform organisms in accordance with § 1.21 of this Part. No PWS shall be placed in use until such examination discloses the absence of coliform organisms. Any newly constructed or recoated water storage tank shall be tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) prior to being put into service. If VOCs reported are above the laboratory detection limit and/or background source limit, the PWS shall flush and/or drain the tank, refill, and analyze for VOCs until such time as the concentrations reported are below the laboratory detection limit. An alternative to refilling and retesting shall be to submit documentation acceptable to the Director that the tank coating was NSF Standard 61 approved, was mixed properly and has cured properly. Any waste water resulting from disinfection must be disposed of in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations, and with the proper permits.E. All revisions to approved plans must be submitted to the Director for approval. The Director may require a new application and/or site plan if the revisions are deemed significant.F. Use of Non-Centralized Treatment Devices1. Criteria and procedures for PWS using point-of-entry devices. a. PWS may use point-of-entry devices to comply with maximum contaminant levels only if they meet the requirements of this Section and are approved by the Director.b. It is the responsibility of the PWS to operate and maintain the point-of-entry treatment system.c. The PWS must develop and obtain the Director's approval for a monitoring plan before point-of-entry devices are installed for compliance. Under the plan approved by the Director, point-of-entry devices must provide health protection equivalent to central water treatment. "Equivalent" means that the water would meet all MCLs and would be of acceptable quality similar to water distributed by a well-operated central treatment plant. In addition to the VOCs, monitoring must include physical measurements and observations such as total flow treated and mechanical condition of the treatment equipment.d. Effective technology must be properly applied under a plan approved by the Director and the microbiological safety of the water must be maintained.(1) Adequate certification of performance and field testing must be provided as required by the Director.(2) NSF Standards have been developed for certain point of entry and point of use treatment systems. Certification of compliance with these standards shall be considered adequate certification of performance. Units meeting these standards may be considered for approval, if deemed appropriate by the Director. Product Type | Standard |
Drinking Water Treatment Units - Aesthetic Effects | 42 |
Drinking Water Treatment Units - Health Effects | 53 |
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Treatment Systems | 58 |
Ultraviolet Microbiological Water Treatment Systems | 55 |
Shower Filtration Systems - Aesthetic Effects | 177 |
Microbiological Water Purifiers | P231 |
(3) The design and application of the point-of-entry devices must consider the tendency for increase in heterotrophic bacteria concentrations in water treated with activated carbon. It may be necessary to use frequent backwashing, post-contractor disinfection, and Heterotrophic Plate Count monitoring to ensure that the microbiological safety of the water is not compromised.e. All consumers shall be protected. Every building connected to the PWS must have a point-of-entry device installed, maintained, and adequately monitored. The Director must be assured that every building is subject to treatment and monitoring, and that the rights and responsibilities of the PWS customer convey with title upon sale of property.G. Use of Bottled Water or Point of Use Treatment Devices. PWS shall not use bottled water or point-of-use devices to achieve compliance with an MCL. Bottled water or point-of-use devices may be used on a temporary basis to avoid an unreasonable risk to health, and only with prior approval of the Director. 1. Where bottled water is used, the PWS is fully responsible for the provision of sufficient quantities of bottled water to every person supplied by the PWS. The PWS must use an approved bottled water supply.2. Where a point of use device is used, it must comply with the requirements of § 1.5(F) of this Part that are deemed applicable by the Director.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-50-05-1.5
Amended effective 9/18/2024