The department shall establish the reliability classification following discussion with the owner for inclusion in the engineer's design of the sewerage system or works. Reliability is a measurement of the ability of a component or system to perform its designated function without failure or interruption of service. Overflow criteria, such as a period of discharge, are utilized solely for the establishment of reliability classification for design purposes and are not to be construed as authorization for, or defense of, an unpermitted discharge to state waters. The reliability classification will be a major consideration for discussion at the preliminary engineering conference described in this chapter. Pump stations associated with, but physically removed from, the actual treatment works may have a different classification than the treatment works itself. The reliability classification shall be based on the water quality and public health and welfare consequences of a component or system failure. Guidelines for classifying sewerage systems and treatment works are as follows:
Unless designated as applying to a particular reliability class, all requirements specified in this chapter and standards contained in this chapter apply equally to all reliability classes.
9 Va. Admin. Code § 25-790-70
Statutory Authority
§ 62.1-44.19 of the Code of Virginia.