Definitions

The terms “Board,” “Department,” “Director,” “Person,” and “Waters” are defined in Section 39-103, Idaho Code. The term “Ground water” (Groundwater) is defined in Section 39-121, Idaho Code. The terms “Beneficial Use” and “Watershed” are defined in IDAPA 58.01.02, “Water Quality Standards.” The term “Like-Kind Replacement” is defined in IDAPA 58.01.08, “Idaho Rules for Public Drinking Water Systems.” The terms “Recycled Water” and “Reuse” are defined in IDAPA 58.01.17, “Recycled Water Rules.” The terms “Point Source” and “Water Pollution” are defined in IDAPA 58.01.25, “Idaho Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Rules.” (7-1-26) 01. Adequate Emergency Storage Capacity. Lift station wet well emergency storage capacity is the volume of the wet well measured between the high water alarm and the gravity sewer invert into the wet well. The collection system will not be used in the calculation for emergency storage. Adequate storage is defined as twice the estimated emergency response time multiplied by the peak hour flow to the wet well where the minimum emergency response time is thirty (30) minutes, unless otherwise approved by the Department. The high water alarm must be placed at an elevation below the wet well invert sufficient to achieve the defined volumetric emergency storage capacity. (7-1-26) 02. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). The measure of the amount of oxygen necessary to satisfy the biochemical oxidation requirements of organic materials at the time the sample is collected; unless otherwise specified, this term will mean the five (5) day BOD incubated at twenty (20) degrees C. (3-31-22) 03. Blackwaste. Human body waste, such as excreta or urine. This includes toilet paper and other products used in the practice of personal hygiene. (3-31-22) 04. Blackwater. A wastewater whose principal pollutant is blackwaste; a combination of blackwaste and water. (3-31-22) 05. Buildout. The estimated future wastewater capacity needs at full development, based on land use plans, zoning, or facility planning. Design capacities must account for these conditions unless expansion is readily achievable. (7-1-26) 06. Capacity. The capabilities required of a wastewater system to achieve and maintain compliance with these rules. It is divided into three (3) elements: (7-1-26) a. Technical capacity means: (7-1-26) i. Physical infrastructure to safely collect wastewater and consistently meet disposal standards and treatment requirements; (7-1-26) ii. Ability to meet the requirements of routine and emergency operations; and (7-1-26) ii. Ability of system personnel to adequately operate and maintain the system and to otherwise implement technical knowledge. Training of operators is required, as appropriate, for the system size and complexity. (7-1-26) b. Financial capacity means the financial resources of the wastewater system, including an IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 010 Page 6 appropriate budget; rate structure; cash reserves sufficient for current operation and maintenance, future needs and emergency situations; and adequate fiscal controls. (3-31-22) c. Managerial capacity means the management structure of the wastewater system embodies the aspects of wastewater system operations, including, but not limited to: (7-1-26) i. Short and long range planning; (3-31-22) ii. Personnel management; (3-31-22) iii. Fiduciary responsibility; (3-31-22) iv. Emergency response; (3-31-22) v. Customer responsiveness; and (3-31-22) vi. Administrative functions such as billing and consumer awareness. (3-31-22) 07. Class A Recycled Water. For a comprehensive description of Class A recycled water, refer to IDAPA 58.01.17, “Recycled Water Rules.” (7-1-26) 08. Class A Recycled Water Distribution System. The delivery system for Class A recycled water. The distribution system does not include any of the collection or treatment portions of the wastewater facility. (7-1-26) 09. Collection System. That portion of the wastewater system or treatment facility in which wastewater is received from the premises of the user and conveyed to the point of treatment through a series of lines, pipes, manholes, pumps/lift stations and other appurtenances. For the purposes of municipal wastewater, a wastewater system must serve two or more wastewater service connections. (7-1-26) 10. Community Wastewater System. A publicly or privately owned wastewater system that generates, collects, treats, stores, or disposes of two thousand five hundred (2,500) or more gallons of wastewater per day based on Average Day Flow measured in the system. For new wastewater systems not constructed, Average Day Flow may be estimated as documented in an approved PER. This does not include: (7-1-26) a. Any animal waste system used for agricultural purposes that have been constructed in part or whole by public funds; or (3-31-22) b. Any industrial or other nonmunicipal wastewater system which is covered under Section 401. (7-1-26) 11. Compliance Schedule or Compliance Agreement Schedule. A schedule of remedial and preventative measures and sequence of actions leading to compliance with a regulation, statute or rule, enforceable as set forth in Sections 39-116 and 39-116A, Idaho Code, respectively. (3-31-22) 12. Discharge. When used without qualification, any spilling, leaking, emitting, escaping, leaching, or disposing of a pollutant into waters. (7-1-26) 13. Disinfection. A method of reducing the pathogenic or objectionable organisms by means of chemicals or other acceptable means. (3-31-22) 14. Disposal. Removal of wastewater derived from municipal and nonmunicipal sources utilizing discharge, reuse, total containment, or other allowable methods. (7-1-26) 15. Disposal Facility. Any facility used for disposal of any wastewater. Facilities for the disposal of sludge are regulated under Section 650 of these rules. (3-31-22) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 010 Page 7 16. Effluent. Any treated wastewater disposed from a treatment facility. (7-1-26) 17. Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU). A measure where one (1) unit is equivalent to wastewater generated from one (1) single-family detached housing unit. For example, a business generating three (3) times as much wastewater as an average single-family detached housing unit would be considered three (3) equivalent dwelling units. (3-31-22) 18. Facility Plan. Comprehensive planning document for a municipal wastewater system describing the overall existing system - including the collection, treatment and disposal systems - and the plan for future systems including upgrades and additions. A Facility Plan may be referred to as a master plan or facilities planning study and is updated on a regular basis to account for growth patterns, regulatory requirement, or other needs. (7-1-26) 19. Facility and Design Standards. Facility and design standards are described in Sections 400 through 599 and must be followed in the planning, design, construction, and review of municipal wastewater facilities. (7-1-26) 20. Force Main. Pressurized pipeline for the purpose of conveying wastewater within a collection system or treatment facility. (7-1-26) 21. Gray Water. Domestic wastewater that does not contain blackwaste. (7-1-26) 22. Industrial Wastewater. Any waste, together with such water as is present, that is the by-product of industrial processes including, but not limited to, food processing or food washing wastewater. (3-31-22) 23. Land Application. A process or activity involving application of wastewater, surface water, or semi-liquid material to the land surface for the purpose of disposal, pollutant removal, or groundwater recharge. (7-1-26) 24. License. A document issued by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses certifying that an individual has met the appropriate qualifications and has authority to practice in Idaho under the provisions of Chapter 24, Title 54, Idaho Code. (7-1-26) 25. Material Deviation. A change from the design plans that significantly alters the type or location of facilities, requires engineering judgment to design, or impacts public safety or welfare. (7-1-26) 26. Material Modification. Those modifications of an existing wastewater system that increase system capacity or alter the methods or processes employed. Increasing system capacity occurs by increasing pumping capacity of a system or the number of service connections within the system. Altering methods or processes employed occurs by adding new or altering existing wastewater system components to satisfy an increase in wastewater flow of the system or changing engineering design intent of the wastewater collection or treatment system. Maintenance as outlined in the approved operation and maintenance manual, or maintenance that does not meet the criteria of a material modification described in this definition, is not a material modification. Like-kind replacement is not considered a material modification. (7-1-26) 27. Municipal Wastewater. Sewage and associated solids, whether treated or untreated, together with such water that is present. When incidental to flow and strength, industrial wastewater or other non-domestic sources may also be present. (7-1-26) 28. Non-Potable Mains. Pipelines that collect, deliver, or otherwise convey non-potable fluids from or to multiple service connections. (7-1-26) 29. Non-Potable Services. Pipelines that collect, deliver, or otherwise convey non-potable fluids from or to a non-potable main. These pipelines connect individual facilities to the non-potable main. This term also refers to pipelines that convey non-potable fluids from a pressurized irrigation system, recycled water system, and other non-potable systems to individual consumers. (7-1-26) 30. Nuisance. Anything which is injurious to the public health or an obstruction to the free use, in the IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 010 Page 8 customary manner, of any waters. (7-1-26) 31. Nutrients. The major substances necessary for the growth and reproduction of plant life consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon compounds. (7-1-26) 32. Operating Personnel. Any person who is employed, retained, or appointed to conduct the tasks associated with the day-to-day operation and maintenance of a community wastewater system including persons making system control or system integrity decisions about water quantity or water quality that may affect public health. (7-1-26) 33. Owner. The person, company, corporation, district, association, or other organizational entity that owns the wastewater system, and who provides, or intends to provide, wastewater service to system users and is ultimately responsible for the wastewater system operation. (7-1-26) 34. Pollutant. Dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, sewage, garbage, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical waste, biological materials, radioactive materials, heat, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, silt, cellar dirt; and industrial, municipal and agricultural waste, gases entrained in water; or other materials which, when discharged to water in excessive quantities, cause or contribute to water pollution. Provided however, biological materials shall not include live or occasional dead fish that may accidentally escape into the waters of the state from aquaculture facilities. (3-31-22) 35. Potable Water. Water for human consumption. Also referred to as Water for Human Consumption or Drinking Water. (7-1-26) 36. Potable Mains. Pipelines that deliver potable water to multiple service connections. (3-31-22) 37. Potable Service. Pipelines that convey potable water from a connection to the potable water main to individual consumers. (7-1-26) 38. Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). Project specific design report for a new wastewater system or existing wastewater system undergoing material modifications. These reports address specific purpose and scope, design requirements, alternative solutions, costs, operation and maintenance requirements, and other requirements as described in Section 411. (7-1-26) 39. Primary Treatment. Processes or methods that serve as the first stage treatment of wastewater, intended for removal of suspended and settleable solids by gravity sedimentation; provides no changes in dissolved and colloidal matter in the sewage or waste flow. (7-1-26) 40. Private Wastewater Treatment Plant. A wastewater system that treats municipal wastewater and is under private ownership. These systems are typically initially owned, operated, and maintained by a developer with the ownership, operation and maintenance transferring to a homeowner’s association, or similar entity as lots are sold within the development. (7-1-26) 41. Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (QLPE). A professional engineer licensed by the state of Idaho; qualified by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved in these rules; and retained or employed by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility for the purposes of plan and specification review. (3-31-22) 42. Quasi-Municipal Corporation. A public entity, other than community government, created or authorized by the legislature to aid the state in, or to take charge of, some public or state work for the general welfare. For the purpose of these rules, this term refers to wastewater or sewer districts. (3-31-22) 43. Receiving Waters. Those waters which receive pollutants from point or nonpoint sources. (3-31-22) 44. Recharge Water. Water specifically utilized for the purpose of adding water to the zone of saturation. (7-1-26) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 010 Page 9 45. Redundancy. Backup equipment and facilities to make the operation of the systems more reliable in emergency situations such as taking certain processes off-line or for treating spikes in wastewater flow or strength. (7-1-26) 46. Reliability. Based on the wastewater system’s ability to consistently handle the wastewater flows in the community and to meet the requirements of its permits and includes redundancy built into the wastewater infrastructure and proper maintenance of the system. (7-1-26) 47. Reasonably Accessible. The following criteria must be used to determine whether a project proposing a new private wastewater treatment plant, or a material modification of an existing private wastewater treatment plant, is reasonably accessible to a municipal wastewater collection system. (7-1-26) a. For an existing private wastewater treatment plant, reasonably accessible means the municipal wastewater collection system becomes located within a minimum of one thousand (1,000) feet of any portion of the disposal piping of a private wastewater treatment plant, and the owner of the municipal wastewater collection system will provide a “will serve” letter. (7-1-26) b. For a proposed project which includes a new private wastewater treatment plant, reasonably accessible means the municipal wastewater collection system is located within a minimum of one thousand (1,000) feet of any portion of the proposed development or existing development property boundary, and the owner of the municipal wastewater collection system will provide a “will serve” letter. (7-1-26) c. The Department may determine that a private wastewater treatment plant may be reasonably accessible to the municipal wastewater collection system at distances greater than those distances specified in a. or b. above based on site-specific factors. (7-1-26) 48. Responsible Charge (RC). Active, daily on-site or on-call responsibility for the performance of operations or active, on-going, on-site or on-call direction of employees and assistants. (7-1-26) 49. Responsible Charge Operator. Operator is an operator licensed at a class equal to or greater than the classification of the system who has been designated by the system owner to have direct supervision of and responsibility for the performance of operations of specified wastewater treatment systems or wastewater collection systems and the direction of personnel employed or retained at the same system. The responsible charge operator has an active daily on-site or on-call presence at the specified facility. (7-1-26) 50. Reviewing Authority. For those projects requiring preconstruction approval by the Department, the Department is the reviewing authority. For those projects allowing for preconstruction approval by others, pursuant to Subsection 400.03.b., the Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (QLPE) is also the reviewing authority. (7-1-26) 51. Secondary Treatment. Processes or methods for the removal of biodegradable organic matter (in solution or suspension) and suspended solids. May include the removal of biodegradable organics and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, or both nitrogen and phosphorus). Disinfection may also be included in secondary treatment. (7-1-26) 52. Septage. Contents removed from septic tanks, portable vault toilets, privy vaults, wastewater holding tanks, very small wastewater treatment systems, or semi-public facilities (i.e., schools, motels, mobile home parks, campgrounds, small commercial endeavors) receiving wastewater from domestic sources. Non-domestic (industrial) wastes are not included in this definition. This does not include drinking water treatment residuals that may be held in a holding tank. (7-1-26) 53. Septage Transfer Station. A place where septage is accumulated for collection and subsequent removal without treatment. (7-1-26) 54. Service Connection. Point of connection between the utility’s system and the customer’s piping or premises, typically including the pipe, meter, valves, and appurtenances leading from the main to the customer’s IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 010 Page 10 property line. (7-1-26) 55. Sewage. Water-carried human or animal waste from residences, buildings, industrial establishments or other places, together with such groundwater infiltration and surface water as may be present. (7-1-26) 56. Simple Wastewater Main Extension. New or replacement wastewater main(s) requiring plan and specification review per these rules and that will be connected by gravity, without the use of pumps or lift stations, to existing wastewater collection facilities that have the capacity to carry the additional wastewater flow and capacity at downstream treatment facilities to meet disposal requirements. (7-1-26) 57. Sludge. The semi-liquid mass produced and removed by municipal or nonmunicipal wastewater treatment processes. (7-1-26) 58. Substitute Responsible Charge Operator. A community wastewater operator holding a valid license at a class equal to or greater than the community wastewater system classification, designated by the system owner to replace and to perform the duties of the responsible charge operator when the responsible charge operator is not available or accessible. (7-1-26) 59. Surface Water Body. All surface accumulations of water, natural or artificial, public or private, or parts thereof which are wholly or partially within, which flow through or border upon the state. This includes, but is not limited to, rivers, streams, canals, ditches, lakes, and ponds. It does not include private waters as defined in Section 42-212, Idaho Code. (3-31-22) 60. Total Containment Lagoon. A wastewater lagoon that relies on evaporation for effluent disposal with no other permit to dispose. (7-1-26) 61. Treatment. A process or activity conducted for the purpose of removing pollutants from wastewater. (3-31-22) 62. Treatment Facility. Any physical facility or land area for the purpose of treating, neutralizing or stabilizing pollutants including treatment plants; the necessary conveyance, intercepting, outfall and outlet sewers; pumping stations integral to such plants or sewers; disposal or reuse facilities; equipment and furnishing thereof; and their appurtenances; also known as a treatment system, wastewater treatment system, wastewater treatment facility, or wastewater treatment plant. (7-1-26) 63. User. Any person served by a wastewater system. Also known as a service connection. (7-1-26) 64. Very Small Wastewater System. A community wastewater system that serves five hundred (500) service connections or less and includes a collection system with a system size of six (6) points or less on the system classification rating form and is limited to only one (1) or more of the following wastewater treatment processes: (7-1-26) a. Aerated lagoons; (3-31-22) b. Non-aerated lagoons; (7-1-26) c. Primary treatment; or (3-31-22) d. Primary treatment discharging to a large soil absorption system (LSAS). (3-31-22) 65. Wastewater. Any combination of liquid or water and pollutants from activities and processes occurring in dwellings, commercial buildings, industrial plants, institutions and other establishments, together with any groundwater, surface water, and storm water that may be present; liquid or water that is chemically, biologically, physically or rationally identifiable as containing blackwater, gray water or commercial or industrial pollutants; and sewage. (7-1-26) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 201 Page 11 66. Wastewater Flows. The following flows for the design year must be identified and used as a basis for design of wastewater systems including sewer mains, pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, treatment units, and other wastewater handling facilities. (7-1-26) a. Average Day Flow. The average day flow is the average of daily volumes to be received for a continuous twelve (12) month period expressed as a volume per unit time. However, the average day flow for design purposes for facilities having critical seasonal high hydraulic loading periods, such as recreational areas or industrial facilities, will be based on the average day flow during the seasonal period. (7-1-26) b. Maximum Day Flow. The design maximum day flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during a continuous twenty-four (24) hour period expressed as a volume per unit time. (3-31-22) c. Maximum Month Flow. The maximum month flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during any calendar month expressed as a volume per unit time. (3-31-22) d. Peak Instantaneous Flow. The design peak instantaneous flow is the instantaneous maximum flow rate to be received. (3-31-22) e. Peak Hour Flow. The design peak hour flow is the largest volume of flow to be received during a one (1) hour period expressed as a volume per unit time. (3-31-22) 67. Wastewater Lagoon. Manmade impoundments constructed with earthen or semi-permeable embankments with an impervious liner for the purpose of storing, treating, or disposing of wastewater or effluent. (7-1-26) 68. Wastewater Pumping Station. A wastewater facility that collects wastewater from the collection system or the treatment system and pumps it to a higher elevation. Also called lift station or wastewater lift station. (3-31-22) 69. Wastewater System. A collection system or treatment facility, or a combination of collection system and treatment facility. This includes all structures, equipment, or processes required to collect, convey, treat, store, and dispose of wastewater. (7-1-26) 70. Wastewater System Operator. The person employed, retained, or appointed to conduct the tasks associated with routine and emergency operation and maintenance of a community wastewater system to safeguard the public health and environment. (7-1-26) 011. -- 200. (RESERVED)