15A NCAC 18C .0714      PILOT PLANT STUDIES

(a)  A pilot plant study proposal shall be submitted to the Department for approval before the study is conducted.

The proposal shall be approved if it meets all of the following conditions and includes all of the following information:

(1)           An engineering report shall describe the proposed study and shall include the information and data to justify the use of the particular plant to treat the source water.

(2)           The proposed plant shall employ treatment techniques that are consistent with this Subchapter.

(3)           The pilot plant shall be of the same design and operation as the proposed plant.

(4)           A protocol for conducting the study shall be submitted that includes the duration, testing procedures, reporting procedures, plant scale, and other factors that affect the proposed plant operation.

(5)           The study shall be conducted over a time sufficient to treat all worst-case source water conditions expected through the year.

(b)  Pilot plant finished water shall not be approved by the Department for introduction into a public water system unless case specific engineering evidence is presented to demonstrate that it will not adversely impact compliance with water quality requirements specified in this Subchapter.

(c)  A model plant may be proposed without on-site testing if the proposed plant or pilot plant has met the following conditions:

(1)           been tested under worst case conditions on similar water;

(2)           achieved the required log inactivation and removal under Section .2000 of this Subchapter for Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and viruses; and

(3)           achieved a maximum of 0.3 NTU turbidity levels 95 percent of the time in filtered effluent.

(d)  The pilot plant shall comply with the provisions of Section .2000 of this Subchapter.

(e)  If the proposal includes a change of treatment as defined in Rule .1507 Corrosion Control and Lead and Copper Monitoring of this Subchapter, the pilot study shall consider the effect of the proposed changes in compliance with lead, copper, and water quality parameters.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-315; 130A-317; P.L. 93-523;

Eff. July 1, 1994;

Amended Eff. October 1, 2009;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2019.