R309-400-4. Water System Ratings

  (1) The Director shall assign a rating to each public water system in order to provide a concise indication of its condition and performance. This rating shall be assigned based on the evaluation of the operation and performance of the water system in accordance with the requirements of the Rules. Points shall be assessed to water systems for each violation of these requirements (R309-100 through R309-705) as the requirements apply to each individual water system. The number of points that shall be assessed is outlined in the following sections of this rule. The number of points represents the threat to the quality of the water and thereby public health.

  (2) Points are assessed in the following categories: Quality, Monitoring and Public Notification; Physical Deficiencies; Operator Certification; Cross Connection Control; Drinking Water Source Protection; Administrative Issues; and, Reporting and Record Maintenance.

  (3) Based upon the accumulation of points, the public water system shall be assigned one of the following ratings:

  (a) Approved - In order to qualify for an Approved rating, the public water system must maintain a point total less than the following:

  (i) Community water system - 150 points;

  (ii) Non-Transient Non-Community water system - 120 points; and

  (iii) Non-Community water system - 100 points.

  (b) Not Approved - In order for a public water system to receive a Not Approved rating the accumulation of points for the water system must exceed the totals listed above.

  (c) Corrective Action - In order to qualify for a Corrective Action rating the public water system must submit the following:

  (i) A written agreement to the Director stating a willingness to comply with the requirements set forth in the Rules; and,

  (ii) A compliance schedule and time table agreed upon by the Director outlining the necessary construction or changes to correct any physical deficiencies or monitoring failures; and,

  (iii) Proof of the financial ability of the water system or that the financial arrangements are in place to correct the water system deficiencies.

  (iv) The Corrective Action rating shall continue until the total project is completed or until a suitable construction inspection or sanitary survey is conducted to determine the effectiveness of the improvements or the accumulation of points drops below the threshold for a not approved rating whichever is later.

  (4) The water system point accumulation shall be adjusted on a quarterly basis or as current information is available to the Director. The appropriate water system rating shall then be adjusted to reflect the current point total.

  (5) The Director may at any time rate a water system Not Approved, if an immediate threat to public health exists. This rating shall remain in place until such time as the threat is alleviated and the cause is corrected.

  (6) Any water system may appeal its assigned rating or assessed points as provided in R305-7.