Fla. Admin. Code R. 62-565.580 – Design and Construction

(1) ATWFs shall be designed in accordance with sound engineering practice.
(2) A permit for innovative or alternative treatment processes or equipment shall not be issued unless the applicant provides a preliminary design report or design data as part of the permit application. Supporting information must demonstrate that the process or equipment is capable of consistently and reliably producing advanced treated water meeting applicable standards and requirements. Supporting information shall include the following:
1. (a) The manufacturer’s technical information;
2. (b) Data and reports from full-scale or pilot test installations that are operated under conditions comparable to those for which the process or equipment is being proposed and that are operated for a sufficient time to verify satisfactory performance of the process or equipment; and,
3. (c) Operation and maintenance requirements and availability of technical support.
(3) Direct or Indirect Advanced Treatment Water Additives.
1. (a) Additives and treatment chemicals, including chemicals used to regenerate ion-exchange resins or generate disinfectants on site at treatment plants, shall conform to one of the following:
  1. NSF International Standard 60, effective 2024, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
  2. The standards in Water Chemicals Codex 1982, (HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17741"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17741), is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
  3. The Food and Drug Administration’s regulations for food substances generally recognized as safe as contained in 21 CFR Part 182, Subparts B, D, G and I, effective March 1, 2024, (HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17753"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17753), is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
2. (b) Newly installed or constructed ATWF components that come into contact with advanced treated water, or water treatment chemicals shall conform to the applicable standards, regulations, or requirements referenced in subparagraphs 1. through 3., below.
  1. Except for ion-exchange resins, precast or cast-in-place concrete structures, and cement mortar, which are addressed in subparagraphs 2. and 3., below, newly installed or constructed ATWF components that come into contact with advanced treated water or water treatment chemicals shall conform to one of the following:
  a. NSF International Standard 61, effective 2023, (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-565.570 F.A.C.);
  b. NSF International Standard 42, effective 2023, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  c. NSF International Standard 44, effective 2024, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  d. NSF International Standard 53, effective 2023, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  e. NSF International Standard 55, effective 2024, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  f. NSF International Standard 58, effective 2023, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  g. NSF International Standard 62, effective 2022, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference;
  h. Section 6 of NSF International Standard 14 effective 2023, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference; or
  i. The Food and Drug Administration’s regulations for indirect food additives as contained in the April 1, 2002, revision of 21 CFR Parts 174 through 189, effective April 1, 2024, (HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17743"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17743), is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
  2. Newly installed ion-exchange resins that come into contact with advanced treated water or water treatment chemicals shall be part of an ion-exchange water softener that conforms to NSF International Standard 44 (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-555.335, F.A.C., effective August 28, 2003) or shall conform to one of the following:
  a. NSF International Standard 61, effective 2023, (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-565.570 F.A.C.);
  b. The Food and Drug Administration’s regulations for secondary direct food additives from ion-exchange resins as contained in 21 CFR Part 173.25, effective April 1, 2023, (HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17737"http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17737), is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference.
  3. Newly installed or constructed precast or cast-in-place concrete structure or newly installed cement mortar that is not coated by a barrier material meeting the requirements of subparagraph 1., above, and that comes into contact with advanced treated water or water treatment chemicals shall meet the following requirements:
  a. All cement, admixtures, form release agents, curing compounds, and sealers used in or on the concrete or mortar shall conform to NSF International Standard 61, effective 2023, (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-565.570 F.A.C).
  b. Aggregate used in the concrete or mortar shall be clean (i.e., free of excess clay, silt, mica, organic matter, chemical salts, and coated grains) and shall be essentially free of those metals and radionuclides regulated under applicable primary drinking water standards.
  c. Water used in the concrete or mortar shall meet applicable primary drinking water standards for inorganics, organics, and radionuclides.
3. (c) To determine or document whether water additives or treatment chemicals or ATWF components conform to the standards, regulations, or requirements listed in paragraph (a) or (b), above, ATWF permit applicants may conduct their own evaluations or may rely upon third-party or manufacturer certifications.
4. (d) The Department shall allow exceptions to the requirements in paragraph (b) above if ATWF permit applicants provide the following:
  1. Documentation that components conforming to the applicable standards, regulations, or requirements in paragraph (b) above are not readily available; and,
  2. Assurance that the components being provided will not impart into advanced treated water or water treatment chemicals any contaminant in an amount that could cause adverse human health effects.
5. (e) A copy of publications in paragraphs (a) and (b) above may be obtained by contacting the Department’s Source and Drinking Water Program, Mail Station 3540, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. Publications listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) above that are copyright protected are available for inspection during business hours at the Department’s Source and Drinking Water Program, Mail Station 3540, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, or the Department of State, The Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Room 701, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, in accordance with Section 120.54(1)(i)3.b., F.S., or available directly from the source.
(4) Flood Protection. ATWFs shall be designed and constructed so that structures, and electrical or mechanical equipment, used to treat, pump, or store advanced treated water, apply water treatment chemicals, or handle water treatment residuals are protected from physical damage by the 100-year flood and, in coastal areas subject to flooding by wave action, from physical damage by the 100-year wave action. Additionally, ATWFs shall be designed and constructed so that the aforementioned structures and equipment remain fully operational and accessible during the 25-year flood and, in coastal areas subject to flooding by wave action, the 25-year wave action; a lesser flood or wave action may be used if ATWF permit applicants provide justification for using a lesser flood or wave action, but in no case shall less than the ten-year flood or wave action be used.
(5) Security. ATWFs shall be enclosed by fences with lockable access gates, housed in lockable buildings or enclosures, or otherwise protected to prevent tampering, vandalism, and sabotage. Advanced treated water storage facilities shall be enclosed by fences with lockable access gates, shall have lockable access openings and lockable cages or enclosures obstructing access to ladders, or shall be otherwise protected to prevent tampering, vandalism, and sabotage.
(6) Well Pump Housing, Well Pump Discharge Piping, and Well Pump Appurtenances.
1. (a) Housing of Well Pumps.
  1. Well pumps shall be housed in a weatherproof building, room, or pit unless the pumps are submersible or completely weatherproof, in which case the pumps need only be protected against tampering, vandalism, and sabotage in accordance with subsection (5) above.
  2. Well pumphouses (i.e., buildings or rooms) shall have a concrete floor that is elevated above the adjacent finished ground surface and that is sloped to drain away from wells and well pumps. In addition, such well pumphouses shall have an access opening or removable roof or walls as necessary to provide full access for servicing wells and well pumps.
  3. Well pump pits are allowed only where the finished ground surface is above the 100-year flood elevation and, in coastal areas subject to flooding by wave action, the 100-year wave-action elevation. All pump pit access openings shall have watertight covers or shall be flanged upward and provided with overlapping covers, and all pump pits shall be drained by gravity or by dual sump pumps with an alarm system that is activated in the event either sump pump fails. Sump pump alarm systems shall include an audio-visual alarm near the pump pit, and if the pump pit is not at a site staffed 24 hours per day and seven days per week, the alarm also shall be telemetered to a place staffed 24 hours per day and seven days per week, or shall trigger an automatic telephone dialing or paging device, to enable notification of an authorized representative of the supplier of water. Pump pits shall have an opening as necessary to provide full access for servicing wells and well pumps and shall have a concrete floor sloped to drain away from wells and well pumps.
2. (b) Well Pump Discharge Piping.
  1. New or altered discharge piping shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 3.2.7.3 in Recommended Standards for Water Works (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-555.330, F.A.C., effective May 5, 2014), except that a check valve is not required in the discharge piping from a jet pump and except that the required smooth-nosed sampling tap shall be located as specified in subparagraph 2., below.
  2. The discharge piping from each well pump shall include a smooth-nosed tap for sampling raw well water. All such sampling taps shall be located upstream of the check valve in the discharge piping if possible and upstream of all treatment facilities and chemical application points; shall be located at least 12 inches above the finished floor, pad, or ground surface below the tap; and shall be conveniently accessible and downward-opening. Raw well water sampling taps installed on or after August 28, 2003, except those installed under a construction permit for which the Department received a complete application before August 28, 2003, shall have no interior or exterior threads.
3. (c) Well Vents. Well pumps installed on or after August 28, 2003, except those installed under a construction permit for which the Department received a complete application before August 28, 2003, shall pump from a well that is vented to the atmosphere unless the well pump is a packer-type jet pump, the well casing also serves as well pump suction piping, the well is a flowing artesian well, there is no appreciable drawdown in the well, or the supplier of water provides justification for not venting the well to the atmosphere. All well vents shall terminate at least 12 inches above the 100-year flood elevation and, in coastal areas subject to flooding by wave action, at least 12 inches above the 100-year wave-action elevation. New or altered well vents shall be designed and constructed in accordance with Section 3.2.7.5 in Recommended Standards for Water Works (adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 62-555.330, F.A.C., effective May 5, 2014).
(7) ATWFs shall comply with the objectionable odor prohibition under subsection 62-296.320(2), F.A.C. (“Objectionable odor” is defined in Rule 62-210.200, F.A.C.). Applicants for ATWF permits, shall provide in the preliminary design report or drawings, specifications, and design data accompanying their permit application assurance of compliance with subsection 62-296.320(2), F.A.C. Assurance of compliance may be based upon water quality data; use of appropriate water treatment processes and chemicals; proper treatment of vented gases; use of mitigative measures including buffer zones owned or under the control of the supplier of water; etc.
(8) All reclaimed water piping, valves, and outlets shall be color coded as required under paragraph 62-610.469(7)(f), F.A.C. All advanced treated water valves and outlets shall be appropriately tagged or labeled (bearing the words in English and Spanish: “Do not drink” together with the equivalent standard international symbol) to warn the public and employees that the water is not intended for drinking. Underground piping, which is not manufactured of metal or concrete, shall be color coded for advanced treated water using blue as a dominant color, with purple banding around the pipe. The pipe and band colors shall be easily differentiated to ensure proper identification of the pipe. For pipes greater than 6 inches in diameter, bands shall be four inches wide, and spaced no more than 24 inches apart, measured center-to-center. For pipes 6 inches in diameter or smaller, bands shall be two inches wide, and spaced no more than 18 inches apart, measured center-to-center. Underground metal and concrete pipe shall be color coded or marked using blue and purple banding predominantly. If tape is used to mark the pipe, the tape shall be permanently affixed to the pipe. Visible, above-ground portions of the advanced treated water system shall be clearly color coded or marked. New systems and expansions of existing systems shall comply with this color-coding standard. It is recommended, but shall not be required, that distribution and application facilities located on private properties, including residential properties, be color coded using blue and purple banding.
(9) Alarms for Nitrate/Nitrite Removal Equipment. An alarm system shall be provided for any ATWF equipment that is necessary to achieve compliance with the primary drinking water standard for nitrate or nitrite as a single sample maximum. The alarm system shall be activated in the event of equipment failure and shall include an audio-visual alarm at the plant.
(10) ATWFs utilizing a UV treatment process shall provide to the Department the results of a test to establish the operating conditions under which the UV system will deliver the design dose in accordance with paragraph 62-565.570(2)(q), F.A.C., or subsection 62-565.560(7), F.A.C., as applicable. The test shall:
1. (a) Be conducted on a full-scale reactor that is essentially identical to the UV reactor to be used by the system and using a source water that is essentially identical in quality to the water to be treated by the UV system;
2. (b) Include the following factors:
  1. UV absorbance of the water;
  2. Lamp fouling and aging;
  3. Measurement uncertainty of on-line sensors;
  4. UV dose distributions arising from the velocity profiles through the reactor;
  5. Failure of UV lamps and other critical system components;
  6. Inlet and outlet piping or channel configuration of the UV reactor; and
  7. Lamp and sensor locations.
3. (c) In order to receive log reduction value credits, UV reactors shall be validated in accordance with US EPA guidance on ultraviolet disinfection (adopted and incorporated by reference in paragraph 62-565.300(1)(j), F.A.C., effective November 2006).
(11) ATWFs utilizing an ozone/BAC treatment process pursuant to subsection 62-565.560(8), F.A.C., shall provide to the Department the results of a validation test to demonstrate that the process will reliably achieve the 75 percent minimum removal of the selected indicator compound(s) under full-scale operating conditions pursuant to paragraph 62-565.560(8)(c), F.A.C. The ozone/BAC treatment process shall be revalidated as part of an application for permit renewal, or in the event that a design modification is made, or components are replaced that will impact operation or monitoring.
(12) ATWFs utilizing an alternative treatment process pursuant to subsection 62-565.560(9), F.A.C., shall provide to the Department the results of a validation test to demonstrate that the process will reliably achieve the 75 percent minimum removal of the selected indicator compound(s) under full-scale operating conditions pursuant to paragraph 62-565.560(9)(b), F.A.C. An alternative treatment process pursuant to subsection 62-565.560(9), F.A.C., shall be revalidated as part of an application for permit renewal, or in the event that a design modification is made, or components are replaced that will impact operation or monitoring.

Rulemaking Authority 403.861(9), 403.064(17) FS. Law Implemented 403.852(12), 403.861(7), 403.853(6), 403.861(17), 403.064(17) FS. History – New 2-26-25.