Washington State University
SAFETY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
6.50
Revised 6-08
Environmental Health and Safety
335-3041

Drinking Water Systems

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PURPOSE

The University is responsible for planning, operating, sampling, maintaining, and protecting University-owned public drinking water systems and water supply connections to meet federal, state, and local requirements. The University is also responsible for helping to ensure that the quality of water which WSU facilities receive from non-WSU public water systems meets state and federal requirements. (WAC Chapters 246-290 to -296, WAC 173-160, WAC 51-56)

REPORTING CONCERNS OR EMERGENCIES

Water Leaks or Lack of Service

Report water leaks or lack of service to the one of the following offices, as appropriate:

In Whitman County

In Whitman County, immediately contact Facilities Operations at 509-335-9000.

Outside Whitman County

All other WSU locations are to immediately contact the local facilities maintenance organization.

Drinking Water Quality Concerns or Suspected Illnesses

Report drinking water quality concerns or suspected illnesses from drinking water immediately to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) for prompt investigation.

In Whitman County

For water systems within Whitman County, use the following contact telephone numbers:

During Regular Working Hours

Contact EH&S; telephone 509-335-3041.

During Off-Hours

Contact Facilities Operations; telephone 509-335-9000.

Outside Whitman County

For all other water systems, use the following contact telephone numbers, as appropriate:

During Regular Working Hours

Contact Statewide EH&S Services-Regional Campuses and Research Units at or near the following locations; telephone:

• Spokane 509-358-7993
• Tri-Cities 509-372-7163
• Vancouver 360-546-9706
• Wenatchee 509-663-8181, ext. 230

To obtain EH&S telephone numbers for other statewide locations, go to the Statewide EH&S website at:

http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/BC-RS/statewide.asp

Select a location to obtain the telephone number for the EH&S representative assigned to the location.

During Off-Hours

Contact the local public water system or the Whitman County Communications Center (WHITCOM) Non-Emergency Response; telephone 509-332-2521. WHITCOM is able to assist by contacting the appropriate local agencies.

WSU Spokane

At WSU Spokane, contact Campus Security; telephone 509-358-7995. For emergencies, Campus Security must contact the City of Spokane Water Department; telephone 509-625-7800.

WATER SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS OR ADDITIONS

Contact the Architectural and Engineering Manager and the Water Distribution Manager, both at Facilities Operations, regarding all modifications or additions to WSU drinking water systems.

Facilities Operations recommends that WSU Pullman departments submit requests for water system modifications or additions through the myFacilities website. See BPPM 80.45. The myFacilities website is located at:

https://myfacilities.wsu.edu

WSU Pullman departments unable to access or utilize the myFacilities website may submit requests for water system modifications or additions to Facilities Operations; telephone 335-9000.

Non-Pullman units are to contact facilities operations managers at their locations who submit requests for water system modifications or additions to Pullman Facilities Operations; telephone 335-9000.

See also below.

All University departments, organizations, persons, or non-University entities must receive approval from Facilities Operations before:

Connecting to Water Lines

Each new water system point of use connection must have a service meter and premises isolation or in-premises isolation (backflow prevention assemblies) as determined by the WSU Cross Connection Control Specialist.

Non-University entities are required to install service meters and premises isolation or in-premises isolation (backflow prevention assemblies) as determined by the WSU Cross Connection Control Specialist. Non-University entities must also reimburse the University for water used.

The Facilities Operations Water Distribution Manager must receive certification of backflow prevention testing and verify the installation of appropriate metering and backflow prevention assemblies prior to turning on the system water to new services.

WATER BOARD

The Water Board is responsible for ensuring that University water systems and facilities conform to applicable regulations.

The board is comprised of staff or representatives from:

The Water Board is also responsible for coordinating the planning, operation, sampling, maintenance, and protection of the University’s public drinking water systems and water supply connections throughout the state in order to meet state requirements. (WAC 246-290 through WAC 246-296, WAC 173-160, and WAC 51-56)

Program Document

The Water Board develops all policies and procedures in the WSU Drinking Water, Cross-connection Control, and Water Conservation Program (hereinafter referred to as the Program). The Program provides detailed planning, development, construction, maintenance, sampling, monitoring, and operating procedures to ensure that University drinking water systems are maintained and operated in a safe and cost-effective manner.

The most current version of the Program is located on the WSU Environmental Health and Safety Public Health website under drinking water. To view the Program, go to:

http://ehs.wsu.edu/

Select Public Health, then
Select Drinking Water Quality, then
Select Drinking Water Program.

Board Member Positions

The Water Board is co-chaired by the Facilities Operations and EH&S directors. Regional Campus and Research Unit representatives assign appropriate staff members to serve on the board. The Water Board meets at least annually.

The Board is comprised of the following positions:

RESPONSIBILITIES

Water Board

The Water Board:

Facilities Operations

Facilities Operations:

NOTE: The committee is comprised of engineering staff from Capital Planning and Development and Facilities Operations.

The Utilities division of Facilties Operations must review and approve all plans and specifications for new and remodeled construction.

Prior to water being used for drinking purposes, Facilities Operations must:

Test all new backflow prevention assemblies (Whitman County),

Obtain backflow prevention assembly testing results from RCRU or contractors (outside of Whitman County), and

Obtain satisfactory bacteriological sample results from repairs or maintenance (Whitman County).

Facilities Operations (or the contractor, if applicable) must provide the bacteriological sample results to EH&S.

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

EH&S:

NOTE: Facilities Operations or the contractor performs sampling for water system construction and repairs. See above.

Capital Planning and Development

Capital Planning and Development:

Prior to water being used for drinking purposes, Capital Planning and Development must obtain satisfactory bacteriological sample results and must have Facilities Operations test backflow prevention assemblies from new construction or repairs in Whitman County. Outside of Whitman County, the contractor must test backflow prevention assemblies and obtain satisfactory bacteriological sample results prior to water being used for drinking purposes.

Capital Planning and Development or the contractor, as applicable, must provide the bacteriological sample results to EH&S. The contractor must provide the backflow prevention assembly test results for operations outside of Whitman County, and the names, certfications, and telephone numbers of the certified backflow assembly testers (BATs) to Facilities Operations.

Housing and Dining Services

Housing and Dining Services:

Prior to water being used for drinking purposes, Housing and Dining Services must obtain satisfactory bacteriological sample and backflow prevention assembly testing results from new construction or repairs. Housing and Dining Services or the contractor must provide bacteriological sample and backflow prevention assembly testing results to EH&S. Certified BATs hired or contracted by Housing and Dining Services must provide their names, certifications, and telephone numbers to Facilities Operations.

Regional Campuses and Research Units (RCRU)

The Regional Campuses and Research Units group (RCRU):

WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) water system;

Group B systems at the Roza, Royal Slope, Lind, and Othello Research Units; and

Associated treatment facilities and distribution systems that directly impact water quality and/or quantity.

See below for water system definitions.

RCRU Representatives

RCRU representatives are responsible for the following:

Prior to water being used for drinking purposes, the RCRU Facilities Operations, CPD, and/or EH&S representative must obtain satisfactory bacteriological sample and backflow prevention assembly testing results from new construction or repairs. RCRU or the contractor must provide the bacteriological sample results to EH&S and the backflow prevention assembly testing results to Facilities Operations. Certified BATs hired or contracted by RCRU must provide their names, certifications, and telephone numbers to Facilities Operations.

EH&S, WSU Pullman, evaluates current and new regulations to help ensure WSU remains in compliance with state and federal regulations and maintains safe and healthy drinking water.

Water System Users

Any University department, organization, non-University entity, or person that connects equipment, installs piping, or makes changes to University water systems must receive prior approval from Facilities Operations.

For University water systems outside Whitman County, the departments, organization, non-University entities, or person must also contact RCRU for approval prior to connecting equipment, installing piping, or making changes.

Assigned Responsibilities

The Water Board may assign or reassign drinking water responsibilities to water system users (e.g., USDA Palouse Conservation Field Station). Such assignments and/or reassignments must be submitted in writing and maintained on file at EH&S.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS

The following summarizes each program element in this policy. Refer to the Program for more specific information on these program elements.

To view the Program, go to:

http://ehs.wsu.edu/

Select Public Health, then
Select Drinking Water Quality, then
Select Drinking Water Program.

Public Water Systems

WSU facilities receive water from either WSU-owned and operated Group A or Group B water systems or from non-WSU-owned public water systems.

Group A System

A Group A water system is a public water system that serves fifteen or more residential service connections or twenty-five or more people per day for 60 or more days per year.

For any new Group A systems that are developed, refer to WAC 246-290-020.

WSU-Owned and -Operated

The Group A water systems owned and operated by WSU are:

Group B System

A Group B water system is a public water system that serves less than fifteen residential service connections and less than twenty-five people per day, or 25 or more people per day for less than sixty days per year.

For any new Group B systems that are developed, refer to WAC 246-291.

WSU-Owned and -Operated

The Group B water systems owned and operated by WSU are:

Non-WSU-Owned Public Water Systems

The WSU facilities which receive water from non-WSU-owned public water systems are:

Construction, Cross-connection Controls, and Plan Review

Construction

Facilities Operations, RCRU, and Capital Planning and Development must submit project reports and construction documents to the Department of Health (DOH) for approval prior to commencing construction on:

Facilities Operations or Capital Planning and Development must also provide copies of project reports and construction documents to EH&S.

EXCEPTION: The Washington Department of Health (DOH) does not require project reports and construction documents be submitted for activities listed under WAC 246-290-125.

Refer also to the Plan Review section below.

Facilities Operations, RCRU, and Capital Planning and Development work with the owners of non-WSU public water systems when planning construction or projects which may affect those systems.

During construction projects, Capital Planning and Development notifies EH&S, Facilities Operations, or RCRU for public notification if a water line is contaminated.

Cross-connection Control

The University maintains safe drinking water supplies by eliminating or controlling existing cross-connections between:

After new construction or repairs, and prior to water being used for drinking purposes, the department overseeing the project must obtain satisfactory backflow prevention assembly testing results, The department must provide these results to Facilities Operations as soon as possible.

Departments and owners responsible for Group A water systems must have a certified cross-connection control specialist inspect and survey the water system facilities on an annual basis or after a backflow incident per WAC 246-290-490(7)(b).

For Group B water systems and WSU facilities on non-WSU public water systems, all responsible departments and owners must have a certified cross-connection control specialist inspect and survey them as determined by the Water Board or after a backflow incident.

The Water Board has established the Cross-connection Control Program in the Program document to comply with WAC 246-290-490, WAC 246-291-270, WAC 51-56-0600, and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) regulations.

WSU must adhere to WAC 246-290-490 and WAC 246-291-270 for premises isolation (water supply to buildings), and the UPC and WAC 51-56-0600 for in-premises isolation (internal building water distribution).

Plan Review and Design Standards

Facilities Operations, a certified cross-connection control specialist, EH&S, Housing and Dining Services, RCRU, and Capital Planning and Development must review all plans and design standards for new or remodeled construction involving water systems.

All plans and work must meet Group A and B water system engineering requirements and design standards, as well as the requirements of the local administrative authority, if applicable.

Plans must be prepared under the direction of a professional engineer licensed in Washington.

Water System Plans

The Pullman campus system is required to submit a revised water system plan every six years to DOH. Facilities Operations is responsible for preparing and submitting this plan.

Small water system plans are required for small Group A water systems. (See definition above under Group A System.) The RCRU, Facilities Operations, Capital Planning and Development, and EH&S are responsible for developing these plans for their respective systems.

Well Construction, Decommissioning, Maintenance, Source Approval, and Interties

Facilities Operations and RCRU, with assistance from EH&S, are responsible for:

NOTE: The Real Estate Office, Business and Finance, assists with applications for water rights.

Sampling, Monitoring, Repair, Reporting, and Recordkeeping

Sampling, Monitoring, and Repair

EH&S, Facilities Operations, and RCRU are responsible for all bacteriological and chemical sampling (excluding construction and repair sampling). The Water Distribution Manager provides assistance with daily monitoring.

For repairs and installation of new lines and systems, Facilities Operations, Housing and Dining Services, RCRU, and/or Capital Planning and Development are responsible for:

After new construction or repairs, and prior to water being used for drinking purposes, the department overseeing the project must obtain satisfactory results of bacteriological samples. The department must provide these results to EH&S as soon as possible.

Reporting, Public Notification, and Recordkeeping

EH&S, RCRU, Facilities Operations, and Capital Planning and Development are responsible for all regulatory reporting and recordkeeping (excluding cross-connection control), and public notification in cases of water quality violations. The Water Distribution Manager provides assistance with these functions.

Facilities Operations, EH&S, and RCRU are responsible for all cross-connection control recordkeeping, in accordance with applicable records retention requirements. See BPPM 90.01.

Sanitary Surveys, Vulnerability Assessments, and Emergency Response Plans

Sanitary Surveys

A qualified sanitary surveyor is required to perform Group A water system surveys every five years. EH&S is responsible for coordinating the surveys.

Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans

EH&S, Facilities Operations, Housing and Dining Services, RCRU, Capital Planning and Development, and Public Safety are responsible for vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans for their respective systems and facilities.

Wellhead Protection and Sanitary Control Areas

Facilities Operations, RCRU, Capital Planning and Development, and EH&S are responsible for maintaining wellhead protection programs and sanitary control areas around wellheads for Group A water systems.

Group B water systems are not required to have wellhead protection programs. However, the University must maintain sanitary control areas (100 foot radius) around the wellheads.

Facilities Operations and RCRU must ensure that their wellhead protection program for Group A systems is incorporated into the these water system plans every six years.

EH&S and RCRU must ensure that the contaminant inventory list required in their wellhead protection program for Group A systems is updated every two years with appropriate notification to regulatory and owner agencies.

Operating Permits and Water Works Operators Certifications

All Group A water systems are required to have operating permits. (WAC 246-294)

In addition, the Pullman campus water system is required to have at least one certified Water Distribution Manager 3 in responsible charge of the daily operational activities of the system. Smaller Group A water systems are required to have at least one certified Water Distribution Specialist. (WAC 246-292)

Water Conservation

Two representatives from WSU serve on the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee to promote water conservation at University facilities in Whitman County. For all other University water systems and facilities, the RCRU promotes water conservation at those locations.