5L-1.017. Water Treatment Standards

(1) Depuration Water Treatment Standards. (a) All controlled processes require quality tests to determine if standards are being met and if controls are effective. The depuration treatment of shellfish is a controlled process designed to reduce bacterial contamination to an acceptable level, as defined in subsection 5L-1.004(5), F.A.C. Wet storage is designed to enhance the product quality without degradation of market standards as defined in Rule 5L-1.004, F.A.C. To ensure the continuing effectiveness of the shellfish depuration treatment process, the minimum sampling procedure as described below shall be followed. (b) Incoming seawater. 1. Type of test – temperature, turbidity, salinity, dissolved oxygen. 2. Frequency – each time seawater is withdrawn. (c) Effluent from UV light treatment unit. 1. Type of test – bacteriological. 2. Frequency – once per day per unit. (d) Bacteriological – All water to be used in shellfish treatment tanks shall be subjected to UV light treatment. The water discharged from the UV unit shall have no detectable levels of the coliform group as measured by the recognized multi-tube MPN test per 100 milliliters (ml) for potable water and acceptable for use with marine water and follow the protocol of the Decision Tree (Section IV. Guidance Documents Chapter III .05), as stated in Section II Chapter VII .04 C (1)(f), of the NSSP Model Ordinance as incorporated in Rule 5L-1.001, F.A.C. (e) Dissolved oxygen – The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water in the treatment tanks shall be at least 5 mg/l and shall be measured daily. (f) Temperature – Treatment tank water temperature shall be measured daily during the treatment process. Temperature of seawater used in the treatment process shall be suitable for depuration. (g) Turbidity – Turbidity in the treatment process water shall not exceed 20 NTU (Nephelos Turbidity Units) and shall be measured daily. (h) Salinity – Salinity of the treatment process water shall be suitable for depuration and shall be measured daily. (i) pH – pH of the treatment process water shall range from greater than or equal to 7.0 to less than or equal to 8.4 and shall be measured daily. (j) Metallic ions and compounds – Levels of metallic ions and compounds shall not exceed levels found in approved shellfish harvesting areas and shall be measured if required by the Department. (k) Pesticides, detergents, and radionuclides – Levels of pesticides, detergents, and radionuclides shall not exceed levels found in approved shellfish harvesting areas and shall be measured if required by the Department. (l) Karenia brevis – Levels of Karenia brevis in the incoming seawater and in the source water shall not exceed 1,000 cells/liter. Only Department personnel, or personnel approved by the Department, shall determine levels of Karenia brevis. (m) Pseudo-nitzschia spp. – Levels of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in the incoming seawater and in the source water shall not exceed 100,000 cells/liter. Only Department personnel, or personnel approved by the Department, shall determine levels of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (n) Pyrodinium bahamense – Levels of Pyrodinium bahamense in the incoming seawater and in the source water shall not exceed 333 cells/liter. Only Department personnel, or personnel approved by the Department, shall determine levels of Pyrodinium bahamense. The following table provides a summary of the depuration treatment process water standards: Table 1. DEPURATION TREATMENT PROCESS WATER STANDARDS Parameter Minimum Maximum Bacteriological 0 Less than 1 Dissolved Oxygen (Milligrams/liter) 5.0 Saturation Temperature Suitable Suitable Turbidity (NTU) 0 20 NTU Salinity Suitable Suitable Parameter Minimum Maximum pH 7.0 8.4 Metallic Ions and Compounds Not exceeding levels found in approved shellfish harvesting areas. Pesticides, Detergents and Radionuclides Not exceeding levels found in approved shellfish harvesting areas. Karenia brevis 0 cells/liter 1,000 cells/liter Pseudo-nitzschia spp. 0 cells/liter 100,000 cells/liter Pyrodinium bahamense 0 cells/liter 333 cells/liter (2) Wet Storage Treatment Standards. (a) Wet storage of shellfish is done to enhance product quality of shellfish that have been harvested from approved or conditionally approved shellfish harvesting areas in the open status. Inland wet storage systems are classified by the Department as continuous flow through or recirculating systems. Continuous flow through systems have new water continuously passing through and exiting the wet storage system before being permanently discharged. Recirculating systems reuse system water for wet storage cycle. All inland wet storage requires the minimum sampling procedure as described below. (b) Incoming seawater must be from an approved or conditionally approved shellfish harvesting area in the open status. (c) Bacteriological Standards – Source water shall be from a shellfish harvesting area classified as approved or conditionally approved and in the open status and any well water used as source water shall meet the requirements of Chapter XI .02 of the NSSP Model Ordinance as incorporated in Rule 5L-1.001, F.A.C., with the exception of salt content for salt water wells. Any source water meeting above standards and used in continuous flow through systems does not require the use of additional UV sterilization. Well water from salt water wells must be sampled every 6 months at a minimum. Water used in shellfish treatment tanks for recirculating wet storage systems shall be subjected to disinfection as provided by Department approved disinfection treatment. Systems using one or more UV light units must be rated for both the volume and flow used by the recirculating system. The water discharged from the disinfection treatment system shall have no detectable levels of the coliform group as measured by the recognized multi-tube MPN test per 100 ml for potable water and acceptable for use with marine water and follow the protocol of the Decision Tree (Section IV. Guidance Documents Chapter III .05), as stated in Section II Chapter VII .04 C (1)(f), of the NSSP Model Ordinance, as incorporated in Rule 5L-1.001, F.A.C. (d) Turbidity – Water that is disinfected by UV light shall not exceed 20 NTU. (e) Wet storage water sampling procedures must meet the minimum requirements as stated in Section II, Chapter VII .04 C (2) or (3) of the NSSP Model Ordinance as incorporated in Rule 5L-1.001, F.A.C. (f) Other disinfection treatment such as the addition of salt shall not leave residues unless they are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and do not interfere with the shellstock’s survival, quality or activity during wet storage, as stated in Section II, Chapter VII .04 C (1)(e) of the NSSP Model Ordinance as incorporated in Rule 5L-1.001, F.A.C. (3) Wet Storage Corrective Actions. (a) Upon notification of a failing wet storage water sample facility management shall: 1. Assess the wet storage system, sample collection process, and source of the wet stored product to determine and correct the cause of the failure. 2. Collect and submit daily water samples from the wet storage system to a certified shellfish laboratory until sample results meet wet storage water quality standards. If the wet storage system is partially or fully disassembled as part of the assessment or corrective action, the Division must be notified and daily sampling will resume once the system is operational. 3. Trace all affected shellfish products that were wet stored on or after the collection date of the failing water sample. Raw shellfish products will be placed on hold for appropriate processing or destruction to remove public health risk. 4. Any affected shellfish products that were sold raw will be subject to recall if a significant public health risk exists. (b) Upon notification that a wet storage water sample has failed the Lactose Broth Gas step of the water analysis, indicating the presence of microbiological growth, and has been transferred into the Brilliant Green growth medium to detect the presence of total coliform, facility management shall: 1. Place all affected shellfish products that were wet stored on or after the date of the water sample collection on hold until water analysis results are received. 2. Assess the wet storage system for any failures in the disinfection process or sources of contamination (c) While affected shellfish products are on hold as required by subparagraph 5L-1.017(3)(b)1., F.A.C., facility management may sell affected shellfish products after an approved cook process before water sample results are received.