Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-550.200 - Definitions for Public Water Systems

For the purpose of this chapter and Chapters 62-555 and 62-560, F.A.C., the following words, phrases, or terms shall have the following meaning:

(1) "Action Level" is the concentration of lead or copper in water specified in 40 C.F.R. § 141.80(c) (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., which determines, in some cases, the treatment requirements contained in 40 C.F.R Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., that a system is required to complete.

(2) "Adequate Protection by Treatment" means any one or any combination of the controlled processes of coagulation, sedimentation, absorption, adsorption, filtration, or other processes in addition to disinfection which produce a water that consistently meets the requirements of the standards in Rules 62-550.310 through 62-550.410, F.A.C., including processes which are appropriate to the source of supply; systems which are of adequate capacity to meet maximum demands without creating health hazards and which are located, designed, and constructed to eliminate or prevent violations of these rules; and conscientious operation by well-trained and competent personnel who meet the requirements of Chapters 62-602 and 62-699, F.A.C.

(3) "Advanced treated water" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(4) "Advanced Treatment Water Facility" (ATWF) shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(5) "Annular Space" means the space between two casings or the space between the outer casing and the wall of the bore hole.

(6) "Approved County Health Department" means county health departments designated by the Department of Health and approved by the Department as having qualified sanitary engineering staffs to perform the duties described in Section 403.862(1)(c), F.S.

(7) "Baffling Factors (or Coefficients)" means parameters used to describe flow system characteristics; the proportion of dead space, plug flow (water moves as a plug such as in a pipeline) and mixed flow in a contact chamber.

(8) "Bag Filters" are pressure-driven separation devices that remove particulate matter larger than 1 micrometer using an engineered porous filtration media. They are typically constructed of a non-rigid, fabric filtration media housed in a pressure vessel in which the direction of flow is from the inside of the bag to outside. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

(9) "Bank Filtration" is a water treatment process that uses a well to recover surface water that has naturally infiltrated into ground water through a river bed or bank(s). Infiltration is typically enhanced by the hydraulic gradient imposed by a nearby pumping water supply or other well(s). (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

(10) "Best Available Technology" or "BAT" means the best technology, treatment techniques, or other means promulgated by EPA and adopted by the Department. In promulgating BAT the EPA examines the efficacy under field conditions and not solely under laboratory conditions, and takes costs into consideration when determining what technology or treatment technique is available.

(11) "Bottled Water" means water that is containerized or packaged and offered for human consumption or other consumer usage.

(12) Capacity Development" means the process of water systems acquiring and maintaining adequate technical, managerial, and financial capabilities to enable them to consistently provide safe drinking water.

(13) "Cartridge Filters" are pressure-driven separation devices that remove particulate matter larger than 1 micrometer using an engineered porous filtration media. They are typically constructed as rigid or semi-rigid, self-supporting filter elements housed in pressure vessels in which flow is from the outside of the cartridge to the inside. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(14) "Casing" means the tubular material used to shut off or exclude a stratum or strata other than the source bed and conduct water from only the source bed to the surface.

(15) "Check Sample" means a sample analysis or analyses used to confirm the results of another sample. Each sample for the analysis shall be taken or measured at the same location in the water system as the original sample.

(16) "Clean Compliance History" is, for the purposes of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart Y, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.830, F.A.C., a record of no MCL violations under 40 C.F.R. § 141.63, as incorporated in subsection 62-550.310(5), F.A.C.; no monitoring violations under 40 C.F.R. § 141.21, as incorporated in Rule 62-550.518, F.A.C., or 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart Y; and no coliform treatment technique trigger exceedances or treatment technique violations under 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart Y. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 revised as of July 1, 2014.) This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(17) "Coagulation" means a process using coagulant chemicals and mixing by which colloidal and suspended materials are destabilized and agglomerated into flocs.

(18) "Combined Distribution System" is the interconnected distribution system consisting of the distribution systems of wholesale systems and of the consecutive systems that receive finished water. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(19) "Commencement of Operations" means the beginning of the service of furnishing water treated by the water system to the consumers.

(20) "Community Water System" (CWS) means a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.

(21) "Compliance Cycle" means the nine-year cycle during which public water systems must monitor. Each compliance cycle consists of three-year compliance periods. The first compliance cycle begins January 1, 1993 and ends December 31, 2001; the second begins January 1, 2002 and ends December 31, 2010; the third begins January 1, 2011 and ends December 31, 2019.

(22) "Compliance Period" means a three-year period within a compliance cycle. Each compliance cycle has three three-year compliance periods. Within the first compliance cycle, the first compliance period runs from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995; the second from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998; the third from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2001.

(23) "Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE)" is a thorough review and analysis of a treatment plant's performance-based capabilities and associated administrative, operation and maintenance practices. It is conducted to identify factors that may be adversely impacting a plant's capability to achieve compliance and emphasizes approaches that can be implemented without significant capital improvements. For purpose of compliance with Subparts P and T of 40 C.F.R. Part 141 (which are incorporated by reference in paragraphs 62-550.817(3)(a) and (b), F.A.C.), the comprehensive performance evaluation must consist of at least the following components: Assessment of plant performance, evaluation of major unit processes, identification and prioritization of performance limiting factors; assessment of the applicability of comprehensive technical assistance; and preparation of a CPE report. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(24) "Confirmation Sample" means a sample analysis or analyses taken to verify the results of an original analysis. Each sample for the analysis shall be taken or measured at the same location in the water system as the original sample. The results of the confirmation samples shall be averaged with the original sample to determine compliance.

(25) "Confluent Growth" means a continuous bacterial growth covering the entire filtration area of a membrane filter used for coliform detection, or a portion thereof, in which bacterial colonies are not discrete.

(26) "Consecutive System" is a public water system that receives some or all of its finished water from one or more wholesale systems. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the distribution system of one or more consecutive systems. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)

(27) "Contaminant" means any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water.

(28) "Conventional Filtration Treatment" means a series of processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration resulting in substantial particulate removal.

(29) "Corrosion Inhibitor" means a substance capable of reducing the corrosivity of water toward metal plumbing materials, especially lead and copper, by forming a protective film on the interior surface of those materials.

(30) "Cross-Connection" means any physical arrangement whereby a public water supply is connected, directly or indirectly, with any other water supply system, sewer, drain, conduit, pool, storage reservoir, plumbing fixture, or other device which contains or may contain contaminated water, sewage or other waste, or liquid of unknown or unsafe quality which may be capable of imparting contamination to the public water supply as the result of backflow. By-pass arrangements, jumper connections, removable sections, swivel or changeable devices, and other temporary or permanent devices through which or because of which backflow could occur are considered to be cross-connections.

(31) "Cryptosporidium" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(32) "CT" or "CTcalc" is the product of ''residual disinfectant concentration'' (C) in mg/L determined before or at the first customer, and the corresponding ''disinfectant contact time'' (T) in minutes, i.e., ''C'' x ''T.'' If a public water system applies disinfectants at more than one point prior to the first customer, it must determine the CT of each disinfectant sequence before or at the first customer to determine the total percent inactivation or ''total inactivation ratio.'' In determining the total inactivation ratio, the public water system must determine the residual disinfectant concentration of each disinfection sequence and corresponding contact time before any subsequent disinfection application point(s). ''CT_99.9'' is the CT value required for 99.9 percent (3-log) inactivation of Giardia lamblia cysts. CT_99.9 for a variety of disinfectants and conditions appear in Tables 1.1 - 1.6, 2.1, and 3.1 of 40 C.F.R. § 141.74(b)(3) (which is incorporated by reference in subsection 62-550.817(2), F.A.C.). (CTcalc)/(CT_99.9) is the inactivation ratio. The sum of the inactivation ratios, or total inactivation ratio shown as [SIGMA][(CTcalc)/(CT_99.9)] is calculated by adding together the inactivation ratio for each disinfection sequence. A total inactivation ratio equal to or greater than 1.0 is assumed to provide a 3-log inactivation of Giardia lamblia cysts. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(33) "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Approved County Health Departments, and, where the context is appropriate, their employees.

(34) "Diatomaceous Earth Filtration" means a process resulting in substantial particulate removal in which a precoat cake of diatomaceous earth filter media is deposited on a support membrane (septum); and, while the water is filtered by passing through the cake on the septum, additional filter media known as body feed is continuously added to the feed water to maintain the permeability of the filter cake.

(35) "Direct Filtration" means a series of processes including coagulation and filtration but excluding sedimentation resulting in substantial particulate removal.

(36) "Disinfectant" means any oxidant, including but not limited to chlorine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, and ozone added to water in any part of the treatment or distribution process, that is intended to kill or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms.

(37) "Disinfectant Contact Time" ("T" in CT calculations) means the time in minutes that it takes for water to move from the point of disinfectant application or the previous point of disinfectant residual measurement to a point before or at the point where residual disinfectant concentration ("C") is measured. Disinfectant contact time in pipelines shall be calculated based on "plug flow" by dividing the internal volume of the pipe by the maximum hourly flow rate through that pipe. Disinfectant contact time within mixing basins and storage reservoirs shall be determined by tracer studies or in accordance with Appendix C or O of the guidance manual adopted in subsection 62-555.335(1), F.A.C.

(38) "Disinfection" means a process which inactivates pathogenic organisms in water by chemical oxidants or equivalent agents.

(39) "Disinfection Profile" is a summary of daily Giardia lamblia inactivation through the treatment plant. The procedure for developing a disinfection profile is contained in Rule 62-550.817, F.A.C.

(40) "Domestic or other Non-Distribution System Plumbing Problem" means a coliform contamination problem in a public water system with more than one service connection that is limited to the specific service connection from which the coliform-positive sample was taken.

(41) "Dose Equivalent" means the product of the absorbed dose from ionizing radiation and such factors as account for differences in biological effectiveness due to the type of radiation and its distribution in the body, specified by the International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements (ICRU).

(42) "Dual Sample Set" is a set of two samples collected at the same time and same location, with one sample analyzed for TTHM and the other sample analyzed for HAA5. Dual sample sets are collected for the purpose of conducting an IDSE under Subpart U of 40 C.F.R. Part 141 (which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.822, F.A.C.) and for the purpose of determining compliance with the TTHM and HAA5 MCLs under Subpart V of 40 C.F.R. Part 141 (which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.822, F.A.C.). (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(43) "Effective Corrosion Inhibitor Residual," for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means a concentration sufficient to form a passivating film on the interior walls of a pipe.

(44) "Enhanced Coagulation" means the addition of sufficient coagulant for improved removal of disinfection byproduct precursors by conventional filtration treatment.

(45) "Enhanced Softening" means the improved removal of disinfection byproduct precursors by precipitative softening.

(46) "Exemption" means approval from the Department affording a public water system an extended time for compliance with an applicable maximum contaminant level, maximum residual disinfectant level, or treatment technique requirement due to compelling factors (which may include time, legal, or economic factors).

(47) "Filter Profile" means a graphical representation of individual filter performance, based on continuous turbidity measurements or total particle counts versus time for an entire filter run, from startup to backwash inclusively, and includes an assessment of filter performance while another filter is being backwashed.

(48) "Filtration" means a process for removing particulate matter from water by passage through porous media.

(49) "Finished Water" or "Finished Drinking Water" is water that is introduced into the distribution system of a public water system and is intended for distribution and consumption without further treatment, except treatment as necessary to maintain water quality in the distribution system (e.g., booster disinfection or addition of corrosion control chemicals). (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(50) "First Draw Sample" means a one-liter sample of tap water, collected in accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 141.86(b)(2) (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., that has been standing in plumbing pipes at least 6 hours and is collected without flushing the tap.

(51) "Flocculation" means a process to enhance agglomeration or collection of smaller floc particles into larger, more easily settleable particles through gentle stirring by hydraulic or mechanical means.

(52) "Flowing Stream" is a course of running water flowing in a definite channel. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(53) "GAC10" means granular activated carbon filter beds with an empty-bed contact time of 10 minutes based on average daily flow and a carbon reactivation frequency of every 180 days, except that the reactivation frequency for GAC10 used as a best available technology for compliance with 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart V (Stage 2) MCLs under 40 C.F.R. § 141.64(b)(2) (which is incorporated in sub-subparagraph 62-550.310(3)(b) 2.a., F.A.C.), shall be 120 days. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(54) "GAC20" means granular activated carbon filter beds with an empty-bed contact time of 20 minutes based on average daily flow and a carbon reactivation frequency of every 240 days. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(55) "Giardia lamblia" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(56) "Gross Alpha Particle Activity" means the total radioactivity due to alpha particle emission as inferred from measurements on a dry sample.

(57) "Gross Beta Particle Activity" means the total radioactivity due to beta particle emission as inferred from measurements of a dry sample.

(58) "Ground Water under the Direct Invluence of Surface Water" means any water beneath the surface of the ground with:

(a) Significant occurrence of insects or other macroorganisms, algae, or large-diameter pathogens such as Giardia lamblia or Cryptosporidium, or

(b) Significant and relatively rapid shifts in water characteristics such as turbidity, temperature, conductivity, or pH which closely correlate to climatological or surface water conditions. Direct influence shall be determined for individual sources in accordance with criteria established by the Department in subparagraph 62-550.817(2)(a) 1., F.A.C.

(59) "Haloacetic Acids (Five)" (HAA5) mean the sum of the concentrations in milligrams per liter of the haloacetic acid compounds (monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid) rounded to two significant figures after addition.

(60) "Halogen" as used in the present context of this rule means one of the chemical elements chlorine or bromine.

(61) "Health Hazards" means any conditions, devices, or practices in a water supply system or its operation which create or may create an imminent and substantial danger to the health and well-being of the water consumer.

(62) "Heterotrophic Plate Count" formerly known as the standard plate count, is a procedure for estimating the number of live heterotrophic bacteria in water. Unless stated otherwise, heterotrophic plate count refers to Method (9215A), the pour plate method, as set forth in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, American Public Health Association, 17th Edition, 1989, pp. 9-58 to 9-60.

(63) "Human Consumption" means water which is ingested, or absorbed into the body by dermal contact or through inhalation, except water which is used solely for fire or chemical emergencies.

(64) "Initial Compliance Period" means the first full three-year compliance period that begins January 1, 1993.

(65) "Lake/Reservoir" refers to a natural or man made basin or hollow on the Earth's surface in which water collects or is stored that may or may not have a current or single direction of flow. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(66) "Large System" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means a water system that serves more than 50,000 people.

(67) "Lead Service Line" means a service line made of lead which connects the water main to the building inlet and any lead pigtail, gooseneck or other fitting which is connected to such a lead line.

(68) "Legionella" means a genus of bacteria some species of which have caused a type of pneumonia called Legionnaires Disease.

(69) "Level 1 Assessment" is an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects, defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and (when possible) the likely reason that the system triggered the assessment. It is conducted by the system operator or owner. Minimum elements include review and identification of atypical events that could affect distributed water quality or indicate that distributed water quality was impaired; changes in distribution system maintenance and operation that could affect distributed water quality (including water storage); source and treatment considerations that bear on distributed water quality, where appropriate (e.g., whether a ground water system is disinfected); existing water quality monitoring data; and inadequacies in sample sites, sampling protocol, and sample processing. The system must conduct the assessment consistent with any State directives that tailor specific assessment elements with respect to the size and type of the system and the size, type, and characteristics of the distribution system. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 revised as of July 1, 2014.) This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(70) "Level 2 Assessment" is an evaluation to identify the possible presence of sanitary defects, defects in distribution system coliform monitoring practices, and (when possible) the likely reason that the system triggered the assessment. A Level 2 assessment provides a more detailed examination of the system (including the system's monitoring and operational practices) than does a Level 1 assessment through the use of more comprehensive investigation and review of available information, additional internal and external resources, and other relevant practices. It is conducted by an individual approved by the State, which may include the system operator. Minimum elements include review and identification of atypical events that could affect distributed water quality or indicate that distributed water quality was impaired; changes in distribution system maintenance and operation that could affect distributed water quality (including water storage); source and treatment considerations that bear on distributed water quality, where appropriate (e.g., whether a ground water system is disinfected); existing water quality monitoring data; and inadequacies in sample sites, sampling protocol, and sample processing. The system must conduct the assessment consistent with any State directives that tailor specific assessment elements with respect to the size and type of the system and the size, type, and characteristics of the distribution system. The system must comply with any expedited actions or additional actions required by the State in the case of an E. coli MCL violation. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 revised as of July 1, 2014.) This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(71) "Liner" means the tubular material used to seal off caving materials which may be encountered below the bottom end of the well casing. A liner shall not be allowed to overlap or telescope into any portion of the well casing.

(72) "Locational Running Annual Average" (LRAA) is the average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(73) "Man-Made Beta Particle and Photon Emitters" means all radionuclides emitting beta particles or photons listed in "Maximum Permissible Body Burdens and Maximum Permissible Concentration of Radionuclides in Air or Water for Occupational Exposure," NBS Handbook 69, except the daughter products of thorium-232, uranium-235, and uranium-238.

(74) "Maximum Contaminant Level" (MCL) means the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a public water system.

(75) "Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level" (MRDL) means a level of a disinfectant added for water treatment that may not be exceeded at the consumer's tap without an unacceptable possibility of adverse health effects. For chlorine and chloramines, a public water system (PWS) is in compliance with the MRDL when the running annual average of monthly averages of samples taken in the distribution system, computed quarterly, is less than or equal to the MRDL. For chlorine dioxide, a PWS is in compliance with the MRDL when daily samples are taken at the entrance to the distribution system and no two consecutive daily samples exceed the MRDL. MRDLs are enforceable in the same manner as maximum contaminant levels under the Florida Safe Drinking Water Act. However, there is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of waterborne microbial contaminants. Therefore, notwithstanding the MRDLs listed in subsection 62-550.310(2), F.A.C., operators may increase residual disinfectant levels of chlorine or chloramines (but not chlorine dioxide) in the distribution system to a level, and for a time, necessary to protect public health to address specific microbiological contamination problems caused by circumstances such as distribution line breaks, storm runoff events, source water contamination, or cross connections.

(76) "Maximum Total Trihalomethane Potential" (MTP) means the maximum concentration of total trihalomethanes produced in a given water containing a disinfectant residual after 7 days at a temperature of 25º C or above.

(77) "Medium System" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means a water system that serves greater than 3,300 and less than or equal to 50,000 people.

(78) "Membrane Filtration" is a pressure or vacuum driven separation process in which particulate matter larger than 1 micrometer is rejected by an engineered barrier, primarily through a size-exclusion mechanism, and which has a measurable removal efficiency of a target organism that can be verified through the application of a direct integrity test. This definition includes the common membrane technologies of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(79) "Near the First Service Connection" means at one of the 20 percent of all service connections in the entire system that are nearest the water supply treatment facility, as measured by water transport time within the distribution system.

(80) "New System" means, for the purposes of capacity development, community water systems or non-transient non-community water systems being newly constructed; systems which do not currently meet the definition of a public water system under Rule 62-550.200, F.A.C., but which expand their infrastructure and thereby grow to become community water systems or non-transient non-communty water systems; and transient non-community systems that expand their infrastructure and thereby grow to become community water systems or non-transient non-community water systems. Systems not currently public water systems under Rule 62-550.200, F.A.C., or systems that are transient non-community systems, and that add additional users and thereby become community water systems or non-transient non-community water systems without constructing any additional infrastructure are not "new systems" for purposes of capacity development. This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(81) "Non-Community Water System" means a public water system that is not a community water system. A non-community water system is either a "transient non-community water system" (TWS) or a "non-transient non-community water system" (NTNCWS). See the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), title 40, part 141, section 2. Other public water systems are addressed in Chapter 64E-8, F.A.C.

(82) "Non-Transient Non-Community Water System" means a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over 6 months per year.

(83) "Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means the corrosion control treatment that minimizes the lead and copper concentrations at users' taps while ensuring that the treatment does not cause the system to violate any national primary drinking water regulations.

(84) "Person" means an individual, public or private corporation, company, association, partnership, municipality, agency of the state, district, Federal agency, or any other legal entity, or its legal representative, agent, or assigns.

(85) "Picocurie" (pCi) means that quantity of radioactive material producing 2.22 nuclear transformations per minute.

(86) "Plant Intake" refers to the works or structures at the head of a conduit through which water is diverted from a source (e.g., river or lake) into the treatment plant. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(87) "Point of Disinfectant Application" is the point where the disinfectant is applied and water downstream of that point is not subject to recontamination by surface water runoff.

(88) "Point-of-Entry Treatment Device (POE)" is a treatment device applied to the drinking water entering a house or building in order to reduce contaminants in the drinking water distributed throughout the house or building.

(89) "Point-of-Use Treatment Device (POU)" is a treatment device applied to a single tap used in order to reduce contaminants in drinking water at that location.

(90) "Potable Reuse" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(91) "Potable reuse system" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(92) "Potable Water" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(93) "Presedimentation" is a preliminary treatment process used to remove gravel, sand and other particulate material from the source water through settling before the water enters the primary clarification and filtration processes in a treatment plant. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011))

(94) "Primary Contaminants" means those contaminants regulated by the Primary Drinking Water Standards.

(95) "Primary Drinking Water Standards" means legally enforceable standards that apply to public water systems to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water.

(96) "Public Water System" or "PWS" means a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves an average of at least twenty-five individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. Such term includes: any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities under control of the operator of such system and used primarily in connection with such system; and any collection or pretreatment storage facilities not under such control which are used primarily in connection with such system. Such term does not include any "special irrigation district." A public water system is either a "community water system" or a "non-community water system." See the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), title 40, part 141, section 2.

(97) "Raw water" means, for the purposes of Chapters 62-550 and 62-555, F.A.C., any source water for a public water system prior to any treatment by the public water system.

(98) "Reclaimed Water" means water that has received at least secondary treatment and is reused after flowing out of a wastewater treatment facility.

(99) "REM" means the unit of dose equivalent from ionizing radiation to the total body or any internal organ or organ system. A "millirem" (mrem) is 1/1000 of a rem.

(100) "Repeat Compliance Period" means any subsequent compliance period after the initial compliance period.

(101) "Residual Disinfectant Concentration" ("C" in CT calculations) means the concentration of disinfectant measured in milligrams per liter in a representative sample of water.

(102) "Sanitary Defect" is a defect that could provide a pathway of entry for microbial contamination into the distribution system or that is indicative of a failure or imminent failure in a barrier that is already in place. (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 revised as of July 1, 2014.) This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(103) "Sanitary Hazard" means a physical condition which involves or affects any part of a drinking water system or the raw water source, and that creates an imminent or potentially serious risk to the health of any person who consumes water from that system.

(104) "Sanitary Survey" means an on-site review of the water source (indentifying sources of contamination using results of source water assessments where available), facilities, equipment, operation, maintenance, and monitoring compliance of a public water system to evaluate the adequacy of the system to produce and distribute safe drinking water and remain in compliance with the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts and Department rule Chapters 62-550, 62-555, 62-560 and 62-699, F.A.C.

(105) "Seasonal System" is a non-community water system that is not operated as a public water system on a year-round basis and starts up and shuts down at the beginning and end of each operating season (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 revised as of July 1, 2014.). This subsection shall be effective on July 7, 2015.

(106) "Secondary Contaminants" means those contaminants with guidelines provided by the Secondary Drinking Water Standards.

(107) "Secondary Drinking Water Standards" means a set of non-mandatory water quality standards for contaminants (not federally enforceable) that are established as guidelines to assist public water systems in managing their drinking water for aesthetic considerations, such as taste, color and odor.

(108) "Sedimentation" means a process for removal of solids before filtration by gravity or separation.

(109) "Service Connection" as used in the definition of "public water system," does not include a connection to a system that delivers water by a constructed conveyance other than a pipe if:

(a) The water is used exclusively for purposes other than residential uses (consisting of drinking, bathing, and cooking, or other similar uses);

(b) The State determines that alternative water to achieve the equivalent level of public health protection provided by the applicable national primary drinking water regulation is provided for residential or similar uses for drinking and cooking; or

(c) The State determines that the water provided for residential or similar uses for drinking, cooking, and bathing is centrally treated or treated at the point of entry by the provider, a pass-through entity, or the user to achieve the equivalent level of protection provided by the applicable national primary drinking water regulations (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

(110) "Service Line Sample" means a one-liter sample of water collected in accordance with 40 C.F.R. § 141.86(b)(3) (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., that has been standing for at least 6 hours in a service line.

(111) "Single Family Structure" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. subpart I only, means a building constructed as a single-family residence that is currently used as either a residence or a place of business.

(112) "Slow Sand Filtration" means a process involving passage of raw water through a bed of sand at low velocity (generally less than 0.4 meters per hour) resulting in substantial particulate removal by physical and biological mechanisms.

(113) "Small System" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means a water system that serves 3,300 people or less.

(114) "Source Water" shall be as defined in Rule 62-565.200, F.A.C.

(115) "Source Water Sample" for the purpose of 40 C.F.R. Part 141, Subpart I (July 1, 2011), which is incorporated by reference in Rule 62-550.800, F.A.C., means a sample that is collected at an entry point to the distribution system and is representative of a source of supply after treatment.

(116) "Specific Ultraviolet Absorption" (SUVA) means specific ultraviolet absorption at 254 nanometers (nm), which is an indicator of the humic content of water. It is a calculated parameter obtained by dividing a sample's ultraviolet absorption at a wavelength of 254 nm (in m^-1) by its concentration of dissolved organic carbon (in mg/L).

(117) "Standard Bacteria Sample" means the aliquot of raw or finished drinking water that is examined for the presence of coliform bacteria, and shall consist of:

a. For the bacteriological fermentation tube test, five (5) standard portions of either:

1. Ten milliliters (10 ml);

2. or one hundred milliliters (100 ml); b. For the membrane filter technique, not less than one hundred milliliters (100 ml).

(118) "Subpart H System" means a public water system that is using surface water or ground water under the direct influence of surface water as a source and that is subject to the requirements of 40 CFR 141, subpart H, and Rule 62-550.817, F.A.C.

(119) "Supplier of Water" means any person who owns or operates a public water system.

(120) "Surface Water" means all water which is open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff. Water from natural springs shall be classified as surface water when it exits from the spring onto the earth's surface.

(121) "System with a Single Service Connection" means a system which supplies drinking water to consumers via a single service line.

(122) "Tier 1 Public Notice" means a public notice issued in response to the events described in subparagraph 62-560.410(1)(a) 1., F.A.C.

(123) "Tier 2 Public Notice" means a public notice issued in response to the events described in subparagraph 62-560.410(1)(a) 2., F.A.C.

(124) "Tier 3 Public Notice" means a public notice issued in response to the events described in subsection 62-560.410(3), F.A.C.

(125) "Too Numerous to Count" means that the total number of bacterial colonies exceeds 200 on a 47-millimeter diameter membrane filter used for coliform detection.

(126) "Total Organic Carbon" (TOC) means total organic carbon (in mg/L) measured using heat, oxygen, ultraviolet irradiation, chemical oxidants, or combinations of these oxidants that convert organic carbon to carbon dioxide, rounded to two significant figures.

(127) "Total Trihalomethanes" (TTHM) means the sum of the concentration in milligrams per liter of the trihalomethane compounds: trichloromethane (chloroform), dibromochloromethane, bromodichloromethane, tribromomethane (bromoform), rounded to two significant figures after addition.

(128) "Transient Non-Community Water System" or "TWS" means a non-community water system that does not regularly serve at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year. See the Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), title 40, part 141, section 2.

(129) "Treatment Technique" means the technology, when installed in a public water system, which leads to the reduction of contaminant levels.

(130) "Trihalomethane" (THM) means one of the family of organic compounds named as derivatives of methane, wherein three of the four hydrogen atoms in methane are each substituted by a halogen atom in the molecular structure.

(131) " Two-Stage Lime Softening" is a process in which chemical addition and hardness precipitation occur in each of two distinct unit clarification processes in series prior to filtration (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

(132) "Uncovered Finished Water Storage Facility" is a tank, reservoir, or other facility used to store water that will undergo no further treatment to reduce microbial pathogens except residual disinfection and is directly open to the atmosphere (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

(133) "Variance" means approval from the Department affording a public water system an extended time for compliance with an applicable maximum contaminant level or maximum residual disinfectant level, or allowing a public water system to not comply with an applicable treatment technique requirement, due to the quality of the raw water.

(134) "Virus" means a virus of fecal origin which is infectious to humans by waterborne transmission.

(135) "Waiver" means approval from the Department for elimination of enhanced coagulation requirements or enhanced softening requirements, elimination of disinfection requirements or certified operator requirements for transient non-community water systems using only ground water not under the direct influence of surface water, or reduction of the monitoring requirements for organic contaminants listed in paragraphs 62-550.310(4)(a) and (b), F.A.C.

(136) "Waterborne Disease Outbreak" means the occurrence of acute infectious illness, epidemiologically associated with the ingestion of water from a public water system which is deficient in treatment, as determined by the Department.

(137) "Well" means any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed when the intended use of such excavation is to conduct ground water from a source bed to the surface, by pumping or natural flow, when ground water from such excavation is used or is to be used for a public water supply system.

(138) "Wholesale System" is a public water system that treats source water as necessary to produce finished water and then delivers some or all of that finished water to another public water system. Delivery may be through a direct connection or through the distribution system of one or more consecutive systems (40 C.F.R. § 141.2 (July 1, 2011)).

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 62-550.200

Rulemaking Authority 403.8055, 403.861(9) FS. Law Implemented 403.853, 403.854, 403.8615, 403.862 FS.

New 11-9-77, Amended 1-13-81, 11-19-87, Formerly 17-22.103, Amended 1-18-89, 5-7-90, 1-3-91, 1-1-93, Formerly 17-550.200, Amended 9-7-94, 12-9-96, 9-22-99, 8-1-00, 11-27-01, 4-3-03, 11-25-03, 10-14-04, 11-28-04, 1-17-05, 12-30-11, Amended by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 135, July 14, 2015 effective 7/7/2015, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 028, February 11, 2025 effective 2/26/2025.

New 11-9-77, Amended 1-13-81, 11-19-87, Formerly 17-22.103, Amended 1-18-89, 5-7-90, 1-3-91, 1-1-93, Formerly 17-550.200, Amended 9-7-94, 12-9-96, 9-22-99, 8-1-00, 11-27-01, 4-3-03, 11-25-03, 10-14-04, 11-28-04, 1-17-05, 12-30-11, 7-7-15.