Under the provisions of IDAPA 58.01.08, Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems, a water main extension, whether approved for construction by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or by a qualified licensed professional engineer (QLPE), is a material modification to the public water system. The current rules define a simple water main extension as an extension that can be supplied without adding pumping capacity.  The current rules also specify that all portions of the existing system that are affected by the line extension must be in compliance with the rules in effect at the time the project is reviewed and approved.  This requirement could in some cases require upgrades to existing parts of the water system to meet criteria for pumping redundancy, standby power, fire flow, and other applicable rule requirements such as completion of a facility plan.

The objective of this rulemaking is to modify the recently updated Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems so that the engineering community can approve simple water main extensions as intended by 2005 SB 1220 and as codified at Idaho Code § 39-118. 

The preliminary draft rule will include the following proposed revisions:

1. Modify the content of facility plans and preliminary engineering reports contained in Sections 502 and 503, respectively;
2. Clarify separation requirements for sources of contamination from public drinking water wells (Sections 510, 512, and 900);
3. Add and clarify design requirements for drinking water distribution systems (Section 542);
4. Further define storage structures and facilities (Section 544); and
5. Clarify several operating criteria for public drinking water systems (Section 552).

This rulemaking will also include any necessary corrections that are typographical and nonsubstantive in nature (e.g., making corrections for consistency with other sections in this rule chapter, IDAPA 58.01.16, Wastewater Rules, and other DEQ rules).  These changes will be based on feedback from the regulated community and DEQ staff who routinely use the rules.

Drinking water system owners and operators, developers, consultants, engineers, cities, counties, industry, drinking water professional organizations, and the public at large may be interested in participating in this rulemaking.  Upon conclusion of negotiations, DEQ intends to publish a proposed rule for public comment in the summer of 2008 and then present the final proposal to the Board of Environmental Quality for adoption of a pending rule in the fall of 2008. If adopted, the pending rule will be reviewed by the 2009 Idaho Legislature.