Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

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Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

• Reclaimed Water Transport/Application
• Training Program

March 13, 2008
Revision 2
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What is Reclaimed Water?

• Reclaimed water is highly treated wastewater that
  has been treated through several processes to
  remove organics, solids and pathogens.
• The final product is a filtered and disinfected
  water that is colorless and odorless.

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Benefits to using Reclaimed Water

• Reduces the need to pump potable water from water
  plants, extending the useful life before system
  capacities are approached.
• The amount of reclaimed water available is
  generally not affected by drought, thereby
  minimizing loss of landscaping due to watering
  restrictions.
• Provides a water source allowing irrigation of
  landscaping which may represent a sizable
  investment.
• Provides alternatives to potable water use for
  dust control, concrete mixing, herbicide/pesticide
  application.

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Regulatory Compliance

• Gwinnett County has been issued a permit to
  provide reclaimed water to designated users for a
  number of purposes. One purpose is for
  irrigation.
• Since reclaimed water will be trucked to the end
  user, it is necessary to ensure that everyone
  involved in the receiving and distribution of
  reclaimed water is properly educated and trained
  in the rules and regulations applicable to these
  activities.

The following defines Gwinnett Countys policy
and procedures for insuring compliance with State
Regulatory requirements.
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Allowable Uses

• Reclaimed water has been treated to a very high
  quality. This water is well suited for use in
  dust control, watering of grass, shrubs, trees
  and ornamental plants outside of the home or
  business. It may also be used by professionals
  in the application of pesticides, herbicides or
  fertilizing applications as well as mixing of
  concrete.
• Reclaimed water should not be brought into a
  commercial or residential structure for
  application. All reclaimed water must be applied
  in a manner which prevents runoff into streets or
  storm drains. It must not be allowed to run off
  into ditches or other pathways which would allow
  the reclaimed water to reach any body of water.

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Prohibited Use

• Reclaimed water has been treated to stringent
  effluent limitations. Treating water to these
  stringent requirements makes it possible to
  utilize this water for specific purposes. It is
  important that reuse water is only used for the
  approved uses identified by the Georgia
  Environmental Protection Division (EPD). This
  water should not be used for personal consumption
  (drinking, cooking, cleaning etc.), bathing,
  filling of hot tubs, swimming pools, vehicle
  washing, indoor uses, feeding live stock or
  domestic pets. Use of this water for other
  purposes is prohibited and may result in
  forfeiture of the permitted users privilege to
  use this resource.

• Reclaimed water is not to be used for irrigation
  of food crops.
• Do not apply Reclaimed water within 25 ft of any
  body of water or within 25 feet of any well used
  for drinking water supply.

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Vehicle Requirements

• Any vehicle used to transport recycled water must
  be clearly marked Reclaimed WaterDo Not
  Drink.
• Tank volume must clearly be identified (labeled)
  at the discharge valve on the transporting
  vehicle.
• Trucks must use only approved Department of Water
  Resources fill stations for filling tanks with
  reclaimed water.
• All tanks previously used for pesticide/herbicide
  applications must be cleaned and emptied prior to
  reclaimed water filling.

Reclaimed Water Do Not Drink
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Vehicle Requirements

• Tanks used to transport reclaimed water must be
  completely water tight with no leaks. Tanks that
  appear to be leaking at the time of filling will
  be drained and the transport/applying
  organization will be required to make needed
  repairs before tank may be returned to service.
• Only clean tanks may be used filling.
• Tank Discharge piping shall be permanently
  connected and shall contain two(2) ball valves in
  series to ensure this connection remains leak
  free.

Reclaimed Water Do Not Drink
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Vehicle Requirements

• If a pump is to be used in the application
  process the piping from the tank to the pump
  shall be stainless steel, copper, galvanized
  steel, heavy duty rubber or SCH80 pvc. Piping
  from the tank to the pump shall be permanently
  installed and only removed for service when tank
  is empty.
• Hoses used for application of reclaimed water
  shall be removable and shall be stored in a
  disconnected condition during transport. Hoses
  should be inspected daily to ensure that they are
  in serviceable condition and free from leaks.
• Trucks/tanks used for transporting reclaimed
  water may not be used for transporting potable
  water at any time.

• Do not store reclaimed water in tanks for more
  than 72 hours.

Reclaimed Water Do Not Drink
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Personnel Requirements

• All persons driving a vehicle transporting
  reclaimed water or who will be assisting in the
  application of reclaimed water are required to
  complete the Department of Water Resources
  Reclaimed Water Training program and affirm their
  understanding of the material presented.
• All persons driving a vehicle transporting
  reclaimed water or assisting in the application
  of reclaimed water must have copy of the
  completed training certificate available at all
  times.
• All persons driving a vehicle transporting
  reclaimed water or assisting in the application
  of reclaimed water responsible for adhering to
  the rules set forth in this training program.
  Failure of an individual employee to comply with
  the rules in this program, may result in the
  revocation of a companys authorization to
  transport, apply or otherwise utilize reclaimed
  water and/or the revocation of that employees
  training certificate.

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Documentation Responsibility

• It shall be the transporting/applying
  organizations responsibility to obtain a signed
  end user acknowledgement (available from DWR)
  from each end user BEFORE applying reclaimed
  water to any location.
• It shall be the transport/applying organizations
  responsibility to return this information to
  Gwinnett County in a timely manner upon request.
  Any organization requesting to be authorized to
  transport/apply reclaimed water agrees to
  maintain these records for a period of three (3)
  years.
• Any organization desiring to transport/apply
  reclaimed water must ensure that the person
  operating the vehicle holds the required license
  for that vehicle in the state of Georgia. It is
  also the transport/apply organizations
  responsibility to ensure that the minimum
  insurance requirements are in place for any
  vehicle used to conduct this business.

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Site Signage

• Signage is very important!!
• With current watering restrictions in place,
  it is imperative that the public understands that
  a non-potable source of water is being utilized.

• If reclaimed water is used with the application
  of pesticides or herbicides, these signage
  requirements are in addition to signage normally
  required for chemical application.
• A small sign shall be placed at any site
• that uses reclaimed water to irrigate
• indicating irrigation with reclaimed
• water to advise the public of its usage

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Site Signage

• Site flags/signs must be placed in a conspicuous
  location at all properties to which reclaimed
  water is to be applied. Site flags/signs are
  available at the F. Wayne Hill reclaimed water
  fill area.

• A minimum of 2 flags must be placed in a
  conspicuous location as close as possible to the
  corners of the property boundary on the road
  side.
• Signs/flags must remain in place for a minimum of
  24 hours.
• Signs/flags may be re-used if desired, however
  they must be replaced when they become illegible
  or otherwise unserviceable.

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Reporting Requirements

• Maintain records for a minimum of 3 years.
• End user acknowledgement must be signed BEFORE
  any application begins.
• Report any spills immediately to Gwinnett County
  Department of Water Resources.

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Fill Stations

• All Vehicles must check in at the Facility
  Operations Center.
• Training certificates will be checked prior to
  truck filling.
• Trucks will be inspected prior to filling.
• Trucks may only fill at Gwinnett County approved
  locations.
• Only Gwinnett County employees will operate fill
  station.
• The hours of operation of the fill station are
  M-F (8am-5pm).

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Compliance is YOUR responsibility

• Only properly trained persons who possess the
  required training certificate may transport/apply
  reclaimed water.
• Observe required buffer around bodies of water
  and wells.
• Do not store water for more than 72 hours.
• Report spills immediately to Gwinnett County
  Department of Water Resources at 678-376-7000.
• Educate the public on the benefits of using
  reclaimed water for their irrigation needs.