15A NCAC 02U .0403. DESIGN CRITERIA FOR DISTRIBUTION LINES (SEE S.L. 2011-218)

(a)  The requirements in this Rule apply to all new distribution lines.

(b)  All reclaimed water valves, storage facilities and outlets shall be tagged or labeled to warn the public or employees that the water is not intended for drinking.

(c)  All reclaimed water piping, valves, outlets and other appurtenances shall be color-coded, taped, or otherwise marked to identify the source of the water as being reclaimed water as follows:

(1)           All reclaimed water piping and appurtenances shall be either colored purple (Pantone 522 or equivalent) and embossed or integrally stamped or marked "CAUTION: RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK" or be installed with a purple (Pantone 522 or equivalent) identification tape or polyethylene vinyl wrap. The warning shall be stamped on opposite sides of the pipe and repeated every three feet or less;

(2)           Identification tape shall be at least three inches wide and have white or black lettering on purple (Pantone 522 or equivalent) field stating "CAUTION:  RECLAIMED WATER - DO NOT DRINK". Identification tape shall be installed on top of reclaimed water pipelines, fastened at least every 10 feet to each pipe length and run continuously the entire length of the pipe; and

(3)           Existing underground distribution systems retrofitted for the purpose of utilizing reclaimed water shall be taped or otherwise identified as in Subparagraphs (1) or (2) of this Paragraph.  This identification need not extend the entire length of the distribution system but shall be incorporated within 10 feet of crossing any potable water supply line or sanitary sewer line.

(d)  All reclaimed water valves and outlets shall be of a type, or secured in a manner, that permits operation by personnel authorized by the entity that operates the reclaimed water system.

(e)  Hose bibs shall be located in locked, below grade vaults that shall be labeled as being of nonpotable quality.  As an alternative to the use of locked vaults with standard hose bib services, other locking mechanisms such as hose bibs which can only be operated by a tool may be placed above ground and labeled as nonpotable water.

(f)  Cross-Connection Control

(1)           There shall be no direct cross-connections between the reclaimed water and potable water systems;

(2)           Where both reclaimed water and potable water are supplied to a reclaimed water use area in residential or commercial (irrigation) applications, a dual check valve device (or a device providing equal or better protection) shall be installed at the potable water service connection to the use area;

(3)           Where both reclaimed water and potable water are supplied to a reclaimed water use area in industrial or commercial (non-irrigation) applications, a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device or an approved air gap separation pursuant to 15A NCAC 18C shall be installed at the potable water service connection to the use area; and

(4)           Where potable water is used to supplement a reclaimed water system, there shall be an air gap separation, approved and regularly inspected by the potable water supplier, between the potable water and reclaimed water systems.

(g)  Irrigation system piping shall be considered part of the distribution system for the purposes of this Rule.

(h)  Reclaimed water distribution lines shall be located 10 feet horizontally from and 18 inches below any water line where practicable.  Where these separation distances can not be met, the piping and integrity testing procedures shall meet water main standards in accordance with 15A NCAC 18C.

(i)  Reclaimed water distribution lines shall not be less than 50 feet from a well unless the piping and integrity testing procedures meet water main standards in accordance with 15A NCAC 18C, but in no case shall they be less than 25 feet from a private well.

(j)  Reclaimed water distribution lines shall meet the separation distances to sewer lines in accordance with 15A NCAC 02T .0305.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-215.1; 143-215.3(a.);

Eff. June 18, 2011 (S.L. 2011-218).