Section 327IAC8-2-24. Use of noncentralized treatment devices

   (a) Public water systems may use point-of-entry devices to comply with maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) only if they meet the requirements of this section.

  (b) It is the responsibility of the public water system to operate and maintain the point-of-entry treatment system.

  (c) The public water system must develop a monitoring plan and obtain approval from the commissioner before point-of-entry devices are installed for compliance. The commissioner may approve a plan if point-of-entry devices provide health protection equivalent to central water treatment. For purposes of this section, "equivalent" means that water would:

(1) meet all national primary drinking water regulations; and

(2) be of acceptable quality similar to water distributed by a central treatment plant meeting the maximum contaminant level.

Monitoring must include physical measurements and observations.

  (d) Effective technology must be properly applied under a plan approved by the commissioner, and the microbiological safety of the water must be maintained.

(1) Prior to installation, the commissioner shall require:

(A) certification of performance;

(B) field testing; and

(C) design review;

of all point-of-entry devices.

(2) The design and application of the point-of-entry devices must consider the tendency for increase in heterotrophic bacteria concentrations in water treated with activated carbon. It may be necessary to use:

(A) frequent backwashing;

(B) post-contact disinfection; and

(C) heterotrophic plate count monitoring;

to ensure that the microbiological safety of the water is not compromised.

  (e) All consumers shall be protected by ensuring that every building connected to the system has a point-of-entry device installed, maintained, and adequately monitored. The rights and responsibilities of the public water system customer shall convey with title upon sale of property.

  (f) Public water systems shall not use bottled water to achieve compliance with an MCL. Upon approval by the commissioner, bottled water may be used on a temporary basis to avoid an unreasonable risk to health. (Water Pollution Control Division; 327 IAC 8-2-24; filed Dec 28, 1990, 5:10 p.m.: 14 IR 1042; filed Aug 24, 1994, 8:15 a.m.: 18 IR 65; filed Jul 23, 2001, 1:02 p.m.: 24 IR 3977; filed Jul 13, 2007, 11:58 a.m.: 20070808-IR-327060044FRA)