SECTION 165:65-3-1. Construction and maintenance of plant, equipment, and facilities

(a)   Water plant and system construction and maintenance. Each utility shall construct and maintain its entire water plant and system in such condition as will enable it to furnish safe, adequate and reliable service subject only to emergency conditions beyond its control.

(b)   Construction, installation, and maintenance of systems. Transmission and distribution systems, including transmission mains and pipe lines, distribution mains, pumps, valves, storage tanks, meters, equipment, etc., shall be constructed, installed, and maintained in accordance with all applicable rules and orders of the Commission and DEQ. Utilities must be able to locate water lines consistent with the requirements of 63 O.S. §§ 142.1 et seq.

(c)   Statement regarding plant, equipment, and facilities. Each utility shall submit to the Commission annually a statement regarding its plant, equipment, and facilities in such form as the Commission may require. Utilities other than those that purchase water shall provide appropriate authority for their use of water (U.S. Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and/or other appropriate authority). All water service utilities that withdraw groundwater or divert stream water must hold a water right from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board before placing water to use.

(d)   Plans, surveys, and permits. Each utility shall submit to the Commission a certified copy of all plans and surveys of its waterworks which have been filed with the DEQ. A description of the source from which the water supply is derived shall be filed with the Commission, and no new or different source of supply shall be used until a certified copy of the certificate of the DEQ approving the use of the new or different supply has been filed with the Commission. No utility shall sell water or extend water service to a consumer until certified copies of all permits required to be issued by the DEQ to the utility are filed with the Commission.

(e)   Depth of mains. Water mains, except mains used exclusively for temporary or seasonal service, shall be installed below the normal frost line or otherwise protected to prevent freezing in accordance with DEQ.

(f)   Dead ends. Insofar as practicable the utility shall design its distribution system so as to avoid dead ends on its mains. Where dead ends exist, under circumstances that adequate water circulation does not exist, the utility shall provide hydrants or valves for the purpose of flushing the mains. Mains without adequate circulation shall be flushed every ninety (90) calendar days, or more often if necessary, to maintain the proper quality of the water. Records shall be kept of the date, place and duration of flushing mains; and such records shall be used as a guide to determine the necessary frequency of flushing of the same mains thereafter.

(g)   Segmentation of systems. The design of water mains or systems hereafter constructed shall contain valves at intervals throughout the system to facilitate repairs and minimize interruptions of service to consumers.

(h)   Grid systems. Whenever feasible, the distribution system shall be laid out in a properly segmented grid so that in case of breaks or repairs the interruption of service to the consumers can be kept at a minimum.

(i)   Fire protection service. Specifications, location, installation, and the responsibility for the maintenance of fire hydrants, public and private fire protection facilities and connecting mains, and the ownership of such facilities shall be subject to negotiation between the utility and the municipality served. Fire hydrants and public and private fire protection facilities shall conform to the requirements of the city where installed or in the absence of city requirements, to the rules and orders of the Commission.

(j)   Valves. Each utility shall inspect the principal mainline valves on its distribution system at least once every two (2) years. A record of each valve shall be kept showing the size, type, location, date of inspection and the results thereof.

(k)   If PUD informs the utility of any safety issues concerning the utility's plant, equipment, or facilities by identifying the relevant Commission rule, or other applicable Federal or State laws implicated by the safety issue, the utility shall electronically provide photographic evidence to PUD showing completion of work and that the issue has been resolved. If the utility has the necessary equipment it shall provide such evidence via electronic photographs or such other method that will reasonably show the issue has been resolved.

[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2380, eff 7-1-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2322, eff 7-15-03; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 718, eff 7-25-19]