Rule 391-3-5-.39. Public Water System Classification

1. (1) Purpose. In accordance with Section 10 of the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts Act (O.C.G.A. Section 43-51-1) the following classifications shall be considered as minimum levels, and the Division may classify any system or plant at a higher level if the complexity of the system or plant warrants such higher classification in the judgment of the Division. Any system or plant not fitting any of the following standard descriptions shall be classified individually according to the judgment of the Division. Where water is supplied to a distribution system from two or more sources, the classification may be set by the Division.

2. (2) Minimum Classifications. The following classifications shall be considered as minimum levels:

   Public Water System Classification for Community and Non-transient Non-community Systems ⁽¹⁾

   System Size Class I Class II Class III Class IIIG Class IV Surface water with conventional treatment plant 5.0 MGD or greater 4.99 MGD or less n/a n/a n/a Surface water with package or non-conventional treatment plant 1.0 MGD or greater 0.99 MGD or less n/a n/a n/a Surface water with approved high-rate filtration 3.0 gpm/sq.ft. or greater Less than 3.0 gpm/sq.ft. n/a n/a n/a Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water 1.0 MGD or greater Greater than 0.1 MGD to 0.99 MGD 0.1 MGD or less n/a n/a Groundwater 50,000 or greater population 10,000 to 49,999 population 1,000 to 9,999 population 1,000 to 9,999 population 25 to 999 population Distribution Systems Certification is required for the operator of public water distribution systems.

   Note: ⁽¹⁾ MGD is million gallons per day; gpm/sq.ft. is gallons per minute per square-foot filter surface area; n/a is not applicable.

3. (3) Groundwater Transient Non-community Water Systems. All Transient Non-community water systems with groundwater sources must have at least a Class IV operator certification.
4. (4) Surface Water Transient Non-community Water Systems. Certification of Transient Non-community water systems with surface water will be specified in their permit to operate a public water system.
5. (5) Higher Classification. When the complexity of water treatment warrants it, a higher classification may be required and specified in the permit to operate a public water system.

Authority: O.C.G.A. § 12-5-170et seq.

History. Original Rule entitled "Consideration of an Exemption Request" adopted. F. July 5, 1977; eff. July 26, 1977, as specified by Rule 391-3-5-.47.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Public Water System Classification" adopted. F. May 12, 1989; eff. June 1, 1989.

Amended: F. Sept. 26, 1997; eff. Oct. 16, 1997.

Amended: F. Sept. 29, 2000; eff. Oct. 19, 2000.

Amended: F. Jan. 8, 2014; eff. Jan. 28, 2014.

Amended: F. Apr. 22, 2024; eff. May 12, 2024.