R309-105-18. Emergencies

(1) The Director or the local health department shall be informed by telephone by a water supplier of any "emergency situation". The term "emergency situation" includes the following:

(a) The malfunction of any disinfection facility such that a detectable residual cannot be maintained at all points in the distribution system.

(b) The malfunction of any "complete" treatment plant such that a clearwell effluent turbidity greater than 5 NTU is maintained longer than fifteen minutes.

(c) Muddy or discolored water (which cannot be explained by air entrainment or re-suspension of sediments normally deposited within the distribution system) is experienced by a significant number of individuals on a system.

(d) An accident has occurred which has, or could have, permitted the entry of untreated surface water and/or other contamination into the system (e.g. break in an unpressurized transmission line, flooded spring area, chemical spill, etc.)

(e) A threat of sabotage has been received by the water supplier or there is evidence of vandalism or sabotage to any public drinking water supply facility which may affect the quality of the delivered water.

(f) Any instance where a consumer reports becoming sick by drinking from a public water supply and the illness is substantiated by a doctor's diagnosis (unsubstantiated claims should also be reported to the Division of Drinking Water, but this is not required).

(2) If an emergency situation exists, the water supplier shall then contact the Division in Salt Lake City within eight hours. Division personnel may be reached at all times through 801-536-4123.

(3) All suppliers are advised to develop contingency plans to cope with possible emergency situations. In many areas of the state the possibility of earthquake damage shall be realistically considered.