SECTION 252:627-1-5. General requirements for water reuse systems

(a)   Unauthorized wastes. Suppliers shall take reasonable measures to prevent the introduction of unauthorized industrial wastewater, hazardous substances, chemicals or wastes into water reuse systems.

(b)   Protection of potable water supplies. Suppliers shall prevent cross-connections between wastewater, water reuse and potable water supplies.

(c)   Discharges prohibited. Suppliers shall ensure that all parts of water reuse systems are operated and maintained so that there are no unpermitted bypasses or discharges of wastewater or reclaimed water from the system. All such bypasses and/or discharges shall be considered violations of this Chapter and shall be subject to enforcement as an unpermitted discharge to waters of the state in violation of the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act.

(1)   Reporting requirement. Suppliers shall ensure that any and all bypasses and/or discharges from water reuse systems are reported to DEQ at [phone] within 24-hours of an incident and that a completed and signed DEQ Form 605-011 "Self Reporting Wastewater Bypass Form" is submitted to DEQ within five (5) days of the incident.

(2)   Required response. Suppliers shall ensure that immediate action is taken to stop, contain, clean up and prevent recurrence of bypasses or discharges.

(d)   Certified operator required. Suppliers shall have at least one certified operator employed at all times for each water reuse system. Operators shall be certified pursuant to OAC 252:710.

(e)   Noncompliance reporting. Suppliers shall report any chlorine residual, turbidity and/or fecal coliform violations within twenty-four (24) hours from the time suppliers become aware of a violation(s) by calling DEQ at [phone]. A written report describing the reason for the violation and the steps taken to correct the violation shall be submitted to DEQ within five (5) days of discovery of the violation.

(f)   User inspection program. A supplier may become approved by DEQ to inspect the supplier's users' storage and distribution systems in lieu of DEQ performing the inspections.

(1)   Applications. A supplier may become approved by submitting the following to DEQ:

(A)   a copy of the binding user agreement(s) between the supplier and all of its users;

(B)   a copy of the supplier's proposed inspection form, which shall include:

(i)   the date and time of inspection;

(ii)   the name of the inspector;

(iii)   whether separation distances are met;

(iv)   whether all steps necessary to prevent bypasses have been taken;

(v)   whether there was evidence of ponding of reclaimed water;

(vi)   the application rate of reclaimed water, if applicable;

(vii)   the type of vegetative cover, if applicable;

(viii)   whether the area where reclaimed water is used is secure;

(ix)   whether disinfection requirements are being met;

(x)   whether flushing plan has been followed; and

(xi)   whether the reclaimed water is being used in compliance with the permit.

(C)   documentation that the supplier's inspector has completed a DEQ approved water reuse training class;

(2)   Duties. Once approved, a supplier shall:

(A)   Perform annual inspections at each of its users' reclaimed water distribution sites. The supplier shall complete and maintain on-site an inspection form for each inspection completed; and

(B)   review water reuse regulations with users.

(g)   DEQ's right to inspect. Nothing in this section shall affect DEQ's statutory right to enter and inspect users' facilities.

(h)   Use of accredited laboratories. All laboratory analyses required to be conducted pursuant to this Chapter shall be performed by laboratories accredited by DEQ.

(i)   Separation Distances. Buffer zones and setback distances shall be maintained in accordance with OAC 252:656-27-2-(b).

[Source: Added at 29 Ok Reg 1044, eff 7-1-12; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 983, eff 9-15-15]