15A NCAC 18C .0102      DEFINITIONS

(a)  The definitions contained in G.S. 130A-2, G.S. 130A-290, and G.S. 130A-313 shall apply to this Subchapter.

(b)  The definitions contained in 40 C.F.R. 141.2 are hereby incorporated by reference including any subsequent amendments and editions except the following definitions are not adopted:

(1)           "Contaminant;"

(2)           "Maximum contaminant level;"

(3)           "Person;"

(4)           "Public Water System;" and

(5)           "Supplier of water."

Copies of governing federal regulations may be obtained at no cost from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) homepage at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/index.cfm or from the USEPA's Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

(c)  In addition to the definitions referred to in Paragraph (a) and (b) of this Rule, the following definitions shall apply to this Subchapter:

(1)           "Act" means the North Carolina Drinking Water Act.

(2)           "Air gap" means the unobstructed vertical distance through free atmosphere between the lowest effective opening from any pipe or faucet conveying a water or waste to a tank, plumbing fixture, receptor, or other assembly and the flood level rim of the receptacle. These vertical, physical separations shall be at least twice the effective opening of the water supply outlet, never less than one inch (25 mm) above the receiving vessel flood rim.

(3)           "Backflow" means the undesirable reversal of flow of a liquid, gas, or other substance in a potable water distribution piping system as a result of a cross-connection.

(4)           "Backflow preventer" means an assembly, device, or method that prohibits the backflow of water into potable water supply systems.

(5)           "Class I reservoir" means a reservoir from which water flows by gravity or is pumped directly to a treatment plant or to a small intervening storage basin and thence to a treatment plant.

(6)           "Class II reservoir" means a reservoir from which the water flows by gravity or is pumped to a Class I reservoir prior to final entrance to a water treatment plant.

(7)           "Class III reservoir" means an impoundment used for electric power generation, flood control and similar purposes, and that serves as a source of raw water for a community water system.

(8)           "Cross-connection" means:

(A)          any physical connection between a potable water supply system and any other piping system, sewer fixture, container, or device, whereby water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances may flow into or enter the potable water supply system;

(B)          any potable water supply outlet that is submerged or is designed or intended to be submerged in non-potable water or in any source of contamination; or

(C)          an air gap, that does not meet the requirements set forth in Subparagraph (2) of this Paragraph.

(9)           "Community Water System intake" means the structure at the head of a conduit into which water is diverted from a stream or reservoir for transmission to a water treatment facility.

(10)         "Division" means the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources.

(11)         "Fecal Coliform" means bacteria that serve as indicators of recent fecal contamination. Fecal Coliforms include the Family Enterobacteriaceae, Genus Escherichia, Species coli.

(12)         High-Health Hazard: A cross-connection or potential cross-connection involving any substance that could, if introduced into the potable water supply, cause illness or death, spread disease, or have a high probability of causing such effects.

(13)         Low-Health Hazard: A cross-connection or potential cross-connection involving any substance that generally would not be a health hazard but would constitute a nuisance or be aesthetically objectionable if introduced into the potable water supply.

(14)         "Mobile Home Park" means a site or tract of land where spaces are provided for lease or rental only for the placement of mobile homes.

(15)         "Mobile home subdivision" means a subdivided site or tract of land in which lots are sold for the placement of mobile homes.

(16)         "Non-potable water supply" means waters not approved for drinking or other household uses.

(17)         "Non-regulated public water system" means a public water system that meets the exclusion conditions set forth in G.S. 130A-314.

(18)         "Potable water supply" means water approved for drinking and other household uses.

(19)         "Raw water" means surface water or groundwater that because of bacteriological quality, chemical quality, turbidity, color, or mineral content makes it unsatisfactory as a source for a community water system without treatment.

(20)         "Raw water reservoir" means a natural or artificial impoundment used for the primary purpose of storing raw water to be subsequently treated for use as a source of water for a community water system.

(21)         "Service connection" means a piped connection from a water main for the purpose of conveying water to a building or onto premises for human use. A service connection begins:

(A)          at the point downstream of a service meter; or

(B)          for unmetered service, at the point of connection to the potable water supply system.

(22)         "Water supply product" means any chemical or substance added to a public water system in conjunction with a treatment technique or material used in construction of a public water system. The term includes any material used in the manufacture of public water system components, appurtenances, pipe, storage tank, or valve that comes in contact with water intended for use in a public water system.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-311 through 130A-327; P.L. 93-523; 40 C.F.R. 141.2;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2014; July 1, 1994; August 1, 1991; January 1, 1991; September 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2019.