Review Of Plans For Municipal Wastewater Systems

Plans and specifications for municipal wastewater systems must comply with the facility and design standards set forth in Sections 410 through 599. The plans and specifications must contain sufficient detail to allow for the construction of the wastewater systems. If design issues are not addressed by the facility and design standards, then guidance documents, some of which are listed in Section 008, may be used as guidance in the design and review of the plans and specifications. See also Section 007. (7-1-26) 01. Ownership. Documentation of the ownership and responsibility for operating the proposed wastewater system must be made available to the Department prior to or concurrent with the submittal of plans and specifications described in Subsection 400.03. The documentation must demonstrate financial arrangements adequate for construction, operation, and maintenance of the system. Documentation must also include the name of the wastewater system owner; the name, address, and phone number of the wastewater treatment facility; and the name, address, and phone number of the responsible charge operator. This information may be presented in a “will serve” letter described in Subsection 400.02. (7-1-26) 02. Will Serve Letter. If the proposed project connects to an existing wastewater system, a letter from the existing wastewater system must be submitted to the Department stating that the existing wastewater system is able to and will provide services to the proposed project and that the wastewater system has reviewed and accepted the proposed construction plans and specifications subject to Department review and approval. The Department may require further documentation showing the ability of the existing wastewater system to provide service to the proposed project. This letter must be submitted prior to or concurrent with the submittal of plans and specifications described in Subsection 400.03. (7-1-26) 03. Plan and Specification Review. (3-31-22) a. Except as provided in Subsection 400.03.b., all plans and specifications for the construction of new municipal wastewater systems, or material modifications to existing municipal wastewater systems must be submitted to the Department for review and approval before construction may begin and all construction must be in substantial compliance. This does not include plan and specifications for facilities for sludge disposal but does include plans and specifications for treatment or storage of sludge. The Department will review plans and specifications in accordance with timelines set forth in Section 39-118, Idaho Code. If construction is not completed within twelve (12) months of the Department’s final approval, an extension or re-approval must be obtained from the Department. The Department may require re-submittal of all or part of the plans and specifications prior to issuing an IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 400 Page 14 extension or re-approving the plans and specifications. The Department may, at its discretion, issue an approval or re- approval for a duration of more than twelve (12) months based on documentation provided by the design engineer that completion of construction is anticipated to be more than twelve (12) months. No material deviation may be made to the approved plans and specifications without the prior approval of the Department. (7-1-26) b. Plans developed for simple wastewater main extensions do not require preconstruction approval by the Department when such facilities will be owned and operated by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public utility, provided that such plans and specifications are reviewed and approved by a QLPE to verify compliance with these rules prior to initiation of construction. At the discretion of the city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public utility, the plans addressed by this subsection may be referred to the Department for review and approval prior to initiation of construction. The Department has the authority to review plans and specifications approved by a QLPE and can require modifications if the plans and specifications do not meet facility and design standards. Any plans and specifications approved pursuant to this subsection must be transmitted to the Department at the time construction is authorized and must be marked or stamped as “Approved for Construction.” The plans and specifications must be sealed, signed, and dated by the professional engineer in responsible charge of their preparation, and the approval or transmittal letter must be sealed, signed, and dated by the QLPE that is approving the plans and specifications. Along with the plans and specifications, the transmittal must include the following statements. (7-1-26) i. The author of the transmittal letter is the QLPE representing the city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public entity. (7-1-26) ii. The extension project complies with the current facility plan or PER, or a statement that the wastewater system has adequate capacity. (7-1-26) iii. The city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public entity or its authorized agent that the wastewater system owner will serve the project. (7-1-26) iv. The city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public entity or its authorized agent that the wastewater system owner will own and operate the project after construction is complete. (7-1-26) v. The QLPE approved plans and specifications for construction. (7-1-26) vi. The QLPE ensures plans and specifications comply with the facility standards within these rules. (7-1-26) vii. Recommending whether sanitary restrictions can be released or should remain in force. (7-1-26) c. A QLPE may approve: (7-1-26) i. Plans and specifications for simple wastewater main extensions that will be able to dispose to an existing wastewater system owned by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility at the time the extension is approved for construction by the QLPE; (7-1-26) ii. Plans for simple wastewater main extensions which will dispose to an existing wastewater system owned by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility, but are unable to connect to the wastewater system at the time the extension is approved for construction by the QLPE, provided sanitary restrictions remain in force for the proposed extension; and (7-1-26) iii. A design that was prepared by a subordinate engineer or an engineer from a separate design group within the city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility if the QLPE is employed by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation, or regulated public utility. (7-1-26) d. A QLPE may not approve: (7-1-26) i. Plans and specifications which include mechanical systems such as wastewater pumping stations, force mains, or treatment facilities; (7-1-26) IDAHO ADMINISTRATIVE CODE IDAPA 58.01.16 Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Rules Section 401 Page 15 ii. Plans and specifications which the QLPE was the design engineer or otherwise involved in the design; and (7-1-26) iii. Plans and specifications designed by the company with which the QLPE is employed if the QLPE is not employed by a city, county, quasi-municipal corporation or regulated public utility. (7-1-26) 04. Engineer’s Seal. Plans and specifications submitted to the Department for the construction or material modification of wastewater systems must be prepared by or under the supervision of an Idaho licensed professional engineer and must be sealed, signed, and dated by the professional engineer in responsible charge of their preparation. (7-1-26) 05. Record Plans and Specification. (3-31-22) a. Must be submitted to the Department as specified in Section 39-118(3), Idaho Code. (7-1-26) b. Record plans and specifications, or a statement submitted in lieu of record plans and specifications, must be sealed, signed, and dated by the professional engineer in responsible charge of their preparation. (3-31-22) 06. Compliance With Applicable Standards and Rules. All plans and specifications submitted must be in compliance with these rules and conform in style and quality to regularly accepted engineering standards. (7-1-26) 07. Exception. The Department may waive the plan and specification approval for any facility or category of facilities which will have no significant impact on the environment or public health. (7-1-26) 08. Department Approval On-site During Construction. The owner must maintain one (1) copy of the approved plans and specifications and the approval letter from the reviewing authority on-site during construction at all times. (7-1-26) 09. Construction Inspection. Except as provided in Subsection 400.03.b., construction may not commence until all necessary approvals have been received from the Department. The owner must ensure an Idaho licensed professional engineer can confirm material compliance with the approved plans and to produce accurate record documents as described in Subsection 400.05. (7-1-26)