No. 26797: R317-401. Graywater Systems

DAR File No.: 26797
Filed: 03/30/2004, 03:01
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The proposed changes are in response to comments received and considered during the public comment period in December 2003.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed changes are either editorial in nature or are made to clarify portions of the original rule in response to public comments. A new definition "bedroom" was added at Section R317-401-2, clarifying language was added at several places in Sections R317-401-1 and R317-401-4, and a table at Section R317-401-6 was re-formatted for increased readability. (DAR NOTE: This change in proposed rule has been filed to make additional changes to a proposed new rule that was published in the December 15, 2003, issue of the Utah State Bulletin, on page 21. Underlining in the rule below indicates text that has been added since the publication of the proposed rule mentioned above; strike-out indicates text that has been deleted. You must view the change in proposed rule and the proposed new rule together to understand all of the changes that will be enforceable should the agency make this rule effective.)

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 19-5-104

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The proposed changes are of an editorial nature or are made to clarify language proposed in the original rule filing in response to public comments. No cost or savings to state budget are anticipated.

 

local governments:

The proposed changes are of an editorial nature or are made to clarify language proposed in the original rule filing in response to public comments. No cost or savings to local government are anticipated.

 

other persons:

The proposed changes are of an editorial nature or are made to clarify language proposed in the original rule filing in response to public comments. No cost or savings to other persons are anticipated beyond those outlined in the original rule filing.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The proposed changes are of an editorial nature or are made to clarify language proposed in the original rule filing in response to public comments. No additional compliance costs are anticipated beyond those outlined in the original rule filing.

 

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The proposed changes are of an editorial nature or are made to clarify language proposed in the original rule filing in response to public comments. No cost impacts to businesses are anticipated beyond those outlined in the original rule filing.

 

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Water Quality
CANNON HEALTH BLDG
288 N 1460 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3231

 

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Dave Wham at the above address, by phone at 801-538-6052, by FAX at 801-538-6016, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

 

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/17/2004

 

This rule may become effective on:

05/21/2004

 

Authorized by:

Don Ostler, Director

 

 

RULE TEXT

R317. Environmental Quality, Water Quality.

R317-401. Graywater Systems.

R317-401-1. General.

(a) This rule shall apply to the construction, installation, modification and repair of graywater systems for subsurface landscape irrigation for single-family residences.

(b) Nothing contained in this rule shall be construed to prevent the permitting local health department from:

(i) adopting stricter requirements than those contained herein;

(ii) prohibiting graywater systems; and

(iii) assessment of fees for administration of graywater systems.

(c) Graywater shall not be:

(i) applied above the land surface;

(ii) applied to vegetable gardens except where graywater is not likely to have direct contact with the edible part, whether the fruit will be processed or not;

(iii) allowed to surface; or

[system or any waters of the State.](iv) discharged directly into or reach any storm sewer system or any waters of the State.

(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, install or modify, or cause to be constructed, installed or modified any graywater system in a building or on a given lot without first obtaining a permit to do such work from the local health department.

(e) The local health department may require the graywater system in its jurisdiction, be placed under:

(i) an umbrella of a management district for the purposes of operation, maintenance and repairs,

(ii) a third-party operation, maintenance and repair contract at the expense of the permittee with a requirement of notification by the permittee and the contractor to the local health department, of the termination of such services.

 

R317-401-2. Definitions.

(a) "Graywater" is untreated wastewater, which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, laundry tubs, etc., and does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks, photo lab sinks, dishwashers, garage floor drains, or other hazardous chemicals.

(b) Surfacing of graywater means the ponding, running off, or other release of graywater to or from the land surface.

(c) "The local health department" means a city-county or multi-county local health department established under Title 26A, which has been given approval by the Utah Water Quality Board to issue permits for graywater systems within its jurisdiction.

(d) "Bedroom" means any portion of a dwelling which is so designed as to furnish the minimum isolation necessary for use as a sleeping area. It may include, but not limited to, a den, study, sewing room, sleeping loft, or enclosed porch. Unfinished basements shall be counted as a minimum of one additional bedroom.

 

R317-401-3. Administrative Requirements.

(a) The local health department having jurisdiction must obtain approval from the Utah Water Quality Board to administer a graywater systems program, as outlined in this section, before permitting graywater systems.

(b) The local health department request for approval must include a description of its plan to properly manage these systems to protect public health. This plan must include:

(i) Documentation of:

(1) the adequacy of staff resources to manage the increased work load;

(2) the technical capability to administer the new systems including any training plans which are needed;

(3) the Local Board of Health and County Commission support this request; and

(4) the county's legal authority to implement and enforce correction of malfunctioning systems and its commitment to exercise this authority.

(ii) An agreement to:

(1) advise the owner of the system of the type of system, and information concerning risk of failure, level of maintenance required, financial liability for repair, modification or replacement of a failed system and periodic monitoring requirements;

(2) advise the building permitting agency of the approved graywater system on the property;

(3) provide oversight of installed systems;

(4) record the existence of the system on the deed of ownership for that property;

(5) issue a renewable operating permit at a frequency not exceeding five years with inspection of the permitted systems before renewal; or, inspect annually the greater of 20 per cent of all installed system or the minimum of ten installed systems; and

(6) maintain records of all installed systems, failures, modifications, repairs and all inspections recording the condition of the system at the time of inspection such as, but not limited to, overflow, surfacing, ponding and nuisance.

 

R317-401-4. Permitting or Approval Requirements.

(a) Designer certified at Level 3, in accordance with the requirements of R317-11, shall design the graywater systems.

(b) The local health department may require the following information with or in the plot plan before a permit is issued for a graywater system:

(i) plot plan drawn to scale, completely dimensioned, showing lot lines and structures, direction and slope of the ground, location of all present or proposed retaining walls, drainage channels, water supply lines, wells, paved areas and structures on the plot, other utilities, easements, number of bedrooms and plumbing fixtures plan in each structure, location of onsite wastewater system and replacement area of the onsite wastewater system, or building sewer connecting to a public sewer, and location of the proposed graywater system;

(ii) a log of soil formations and identification of the maximum anticipated ground water level as determined by the minimum of one test hole, dug in close proximity, two feet below the bottom of the subsurface irrigation field or drip irrigation area together with a statement of types of soil[water absorption characteristics of the soil] based on soil classification at the proposed site. Soil and groundwater evaluations will be conducted by professionals fulfilling the requirements of R317-11;

(iii) details of construction necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this rule together with full description of the complete installation including installation methods, construction and materials, as required by the local health department; and

(iv) other pertinent information the local health department may deem appropriate.

(c) The installed graywater system shall be operated only after receiving a written approval or an authorization from the local health department after the local health department has made the final construction inspection.

(d) The local health department will require written operation and maintenance procedures including checklists and maintenance instructions from the designer.

(e) No graywater system, or part thereof, shall be located on any lot other than the lot which is the site of the building or structure which discharges the graywater unless, when approved by the local health department, a perpetual utility easement and right-of-way is established on an adjacent or nearby lot.

(f) Onsite wastewater systems existing or to be constructed on a given lot shall comply with the requirements of R317-4 or more restrictive local requirements. The capacity of the onsite wastewater system, including required future areas, shall not be decreased by the existence or proposed installation of a graywater system servicing a given lot.

(g) No potable water connection will be made to [T]the graywater system [shall not be connected to any potable water system ]without an air gap or a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention assembly for cross connection control, in accordance with R309-105.

(h) When abandoning a graywater system,

(i) the owner of the real property on which such system is located shall render it safe by having the surge tank pumped out only in a manner approved by the health department;

(ii) the surge tank shall be filled completely with earth, sand or gravel within 30 days;

(iii) the surge tank may also be removed within 30 days, at the owner's discretion;

(iv) the approving local health department shall be notified at least 30 days before the planned abandonment.

 

R317-401-5. Design of Graywater Systems.

(a) The basis of design for a graywater system shall be as follows:

 

TABLE 1
Basis of Design

Number of Bedrooms                   Flow, gallons per day

Minimum two bedrooms                          120

Three bedrooms                                160

Each additional bedroom                        40

 

(b) No graywater system or part thereof shall be located at any point having less than the minimum distances indicated as follows:

 

TABLE 2
Separation Distances

Minimum Horizontal              Surge Tank    Subsurface or

Distance (in feet) From                       Drip  Irriga-

                                              tion Field



Buildings or Structures (1)         5 feet (2)      2 feet

Property line adjoining private

  property                          5 feet          5 feet

Public Drinking Water Sources (3)     (4)             (4)

Non-public Drinking Water

  Sources

  Protected (grouted)source        50 feet        100 feet

  Unprotected (ungrouted)source    50 feet(5)     200 feet(5)

Streams, ditches and lakes (3)     25 feet        100 feet(6)

Seepage pits                        5 feet         10 feet

Absorption System and

  replacement area                  5 feet         10 feet

Septic tank                         none            5 feet

Culinary water supply line         10 feet         10 feet(7)



Footnotes:

(1)  Including porches and steps, whether covered or

uncovered, but does not include carports, covered walks,

driveways and similar structures.

(2)  For above ground tanks the local health department may

allow less than five feet separation.

(3)  As defined in R309

(4)  Recommended separation distances will comply with the

Source Water Protection requirements R309-600 and 605.

(5) Recommended separation distance may increase at the

discretion of the local health department for adequate public

health protection.

(6)  Lining or enclosing watercourse or location above

irrigation area may justify reduced separation at the

discretion of the local health department.

(7)  For parallel construction or for crossing requires an

approval of the local health department.

 

(c) Surge Tank

(i) Plans for surge tanks shall include dimensions, structural, bracing and connection details, and a certification of structural suitability for the intended installation from the manufacturer.

(ii) Surge tanks shall be:

(A) at least 250 gallons in volumetric capacity to provide settling of solids, accumulation of sludge and scum unless justified with a mass balance of inflow and outflow and type of distribution for irrigation;

(B) vented to the surface with a locking, gasketed access opening, or approved equivalent, to allow for inspection and cleaning;

(C) constructed of structurally durable materials to withstand all expected physical forces, and not subject to excessive corrosion or decay;

(D) watertight;

(E) anchored against overturning;

(F) installed below ground on dry, level, well compacted soil; in a dry well on compacted soil; or above ground on a level, four-inch thick concrete slab;

(G) Permanently marked showing the rated capacity, and "GRAYWATER IRRIGATION SYSTEM, DANGER - UNSAFE WATER" on the unit;

(H) provided with an overflow pipe:

(I) of diameter at least equal to that of the inlet pipe diameter;

(II) connected permanently to sanitary sewer or to septic tank; and

(III) equipped with a check valve, not a shut-off valve - to prevent backflow from sewer or septic tank.

(I) provided with a drain pipe of diameter at least equal to that of the inlet pipe diameter;

(J) provided with a vent pipe in conformance with the requirements of the International Plumbing Code; and

(K) provided with unions and fittings for all piping in conformance with the requirements of the International Plumbing Code.

(d) Valves and Piping

(i) Graywater piping discharging into a surge tank or having a direct connection to a sanitary drain or sewer piping shall be downstream of an approved water seal type trap(s) If no such trap(s) exists, an approved vented running trap shall be installed upstream of the connection to protect the building from any possible waste or sewer gases.

(ii) Vents and venting shall meet the requirements of the International Plumbing Code.

(iii) All graywater piping shall be marked or shall have a continuous tape marked with the words: DANGER - UNSAFE WATER.[ Purple colored pipe is required, as specified in R317-1.]

(iv) All valves, including the three-way valve, shall be readily accessible.

(v) The design shall include necessary types of valves for isolation storage tank, irrigation zones and connection to a sanitary sewer or an onsite wastewater system.

 

R317-401-6. Irrigation Fields.

(a) Each irrigation zone shall have a minimum effective irrigation area for the type of soil and absorption characteristics.

(b) The area of the irrigation field shall be equal to the aggregate length of the perforated pipe sections within the irrigation zone times the width of the proposed trench. The required square footage shall be determined as follows:

 

[TABLE

Soil Characteristics     Subsurface   Drip Irrigation System

                         Irrigation   Maximum    Minimum

                         System       emitter    number of

                         Loading,     discharge, emitters

                         Gallons per             per gallon

                         day per      gallons    per day of

                         square foot  per day    graywater



Coarse Sand or gravel       5           1.8         0.6

Fine Sand                   4           1.4         0.7

Sandy Loam                  2.5         1.2         0.9

Sandy Clay                  1.6         0.9         1.1

Clay with considerable

sand or gravel              1.1         0.6         1.6

Clay with sand or gravel    0.8         0.5         2.0]

TABLE 3
Subsurface Irrigation Field Design

Soil Characteristics     Subsurface Irrigation Field area

                         Loading, gallons of graywater per

                         day per square foot



Coarse Sand or gravel                 5

Fine Sand                             4

Sandy Loam                            2.5

Sandy Clay                            1.6

Clay with considerable

sand or gravel                        1.1

Clay with sand or gravel              0.8

 

 

TABLE 4
Drip Irrigation System Design

Soil Characteristics     Drip Irrigation System

                         Maximum    Minimum

                         emitter    number of

                         discharge, emitters

                                    per gallon

                         gallons    per day of

                         per day    graywater



Coarse Sand or gravel       1.8         0.6

Fine Sand                   1.4         0.7

Sandy Loam                  1.2         0.9

Sandy Clay                  0.9         1.1

Clay with considerable

sand or gravel              0.6         1.6

Clay with sand or gravel    0.5         2.0

 

(c) No irrigation point shall be within two vertical feet of the maximum groundwater table. The applicant shall supply evidence of ground water depth to the satisfaction of the local health department.

(d) Subsurface drip irrigation system.

(i) Minimum 140 mesh (115 micron) filter with a capacity of 25 gallons per minute, or equivalent filtration, sized appropriately to maintain the filtration rate, shall be used.

(ii) The filter backwash and flush discharge shall be captured, contained and disposed of to the sewer system, septic tank, or, with approval of the local health department, in a dry well sized to accept all the backwash and flush discharge water. Filter backwash water and flush water shall not be used for any purpose. Sanitary procedures shall be followed when handling filter backwash and flush discharge of graywater.

(iii) Emitters recommended by the manufacture shall be resistant to root intrusion, and suitable for subsurface and graywater use.

(iv) Each irrigation zone shall be designed to include no less than the number of emitters specified in this rule.

(v) Minimum spacing between emitters should be 14 inches in any direction, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

(vi) The system design shall provide user controls, such as valves, switches, timers, and other controllers as appropriate, to rotate the distribution of graywater between irrigation zones.

(vii) All drip irrigation supply lines shall be:

(A) polyethylene tubing or PVC class 200 pipe or better and schedule 40 fittings;

(B) With solvent-cemented joints, inspected and pressure tested at 40 pounds per square inch and shown to be drip tight for five minutes, before burial; and

(C) buried at a minimum depth of six inches. Drip feeder lines can be polyethylene or flexible PVC tubing and shall be covered to a minimum depth of six inches.

(viii) Where pressure at the discharge side of the pump exceeds 20 pounds per square inch, a pressure-reducing valve able to maintain downstream pressure no greater than 20 pounds per square inch shall be installed downstream from the pump and before any emission device.

(ix) Each irrigation zone shall include a flush valve/anti-siphon valve to prevent back siphonage of water and soil.

(e) Subsurface Irrigation Field

(i) Perforated sections shall be a minimum three-inch diameter and shall be constructed of perforated high-density polyethylene pipe, perforated ABS pipe, perforated PVC pipe, or other approved materials, provided that sufficient openings are available for distribution of the graywater in the trench area. Material, construction and perforation of the piping shall be in compliance with the requirements of the International Plumbing Code.

(ii) Clean stone, gravel, or similar filter material acceptable to the local health department, and varying in size from 3/4 inch to 2 1/2 inches, shall be placed in the trench to the depth and grade required by this section. Perforated sections shall be laid on the filter material. The perforated sections shall then be covered with filter material to the minimum depth required by this section. The filter material shall then be covered with landscape filter fabric or similar porous material to prevent closure of voids with earth backfill.

(iii) No earth backfill shall be placed over the filter material cover until after inspection and approval of the local health department.

(iv) Subsurface Irrigation fields shall be constructed as follows:

 

TABLE 5
Subsurface Irrigation Field Construction Details

Description                              Minimum    Maximum

Number of drain lines

 per subsurface irrigation zone            one          ---

Length of each perforated line, feet       ---          100

Bottom width of trench, inches              6            18

Total depth of trench, inches              12           ---

Spacing of lines, center to center, feet    4           ---

Depth of earth cover

 on top of gravel, inches                   4           ---

Depth of filter material

 cover over lines, inches                   2           ---

Depth of filter material

 beneath lines, inches                      3           ---

Grade of perforated lines,

 Inches per 100 feet                      Level           4

 

(f) Construction, Inspection and Testing

(i) Installation shall conform to the equipment and installation methods described in the approved plans.

(ii) The manufacturer of all system components shall be properly identified.

(iii) Surge tanks shall be filled with water to the overflow line prior to and during construction inspection. All seams and joints shall be left exposed and the tank shall remain watertight.

(iv) The irrigation field shall be installed in the area which has soils similar to the soils which have been evaluated, and has absorption rate corresponding to the given soil classification.

(v) A graywater stub-out may be allowed for future construction, provided it is capped prior to the connection to the installed irrigation lines and landscaping. Stub-out shall be permanently marked: GRAYWATER STUB-OUT, DANGER UNSAFE WATER.

(vi) A flow test shall be performed throughout the system, from surge tank to the point of graywater irrigation. All lines and components shall be watertight.

 

KEY: wastewater, graywater, drip irrigation

2004

19-5