DAR File No. 40769

Environmental Quality, Drinking Water

Section R309-535-5

Fluoridation

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 40769
Filed: 09/14/2016 10:52:43 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The Division of Drinking Water was directed by the Drinking Water Board to review the Title R309-500 series of rules and propose changes to clarify, correct, and update the rules. The Division has reviewed Section R309-535-5, Fluoridation, and proposes to update and clarify the design and construction requirements for fluoridation facilities.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed amendment to Section R309-535-5 updates requirements for chemical storage, fluoride injection, fluoride solution tank venting, and personal protective equipment. It adds new requirements for secondary containment of fluoride solutions, housing for fluoridation facilities (heating, lighting, and ventilation), and acid spill neutralization. The proposed amendment is organized differently than the current rule and includes a General Requirements section that applies to all fluoridation facilities and three additional requirements sections each of which applies to a specific type of fluoridation: fluorosilicic acid, fluoride saturators, and fluoride dry feed.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 19-4-104(1)(a)(ii)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The proposed amendment should entail no costs or savings to the state budget. It should not require additional resources to manage the drinking water program nor should it result in a reduction of resources needed.

local governments:

The proposed amendment will result in no savings to local governments but may result in increased costs to local governments that own or operate public water systems that fluoridate their drinking water and intend to design and construct new fluoridation facilities. Because the increased costs are related to project-specific variables--such as facility size, amount of water to be treated, type of fluoridation to be installed, and quantity of fluoride to be added--an estimate of increased costs, in aggregate or per project, cannot be made.

small businesses:

The proposed amendment will result in no savings to small businesses but may result in increased costs to small businesses that own or operate public water systems that fluoridate their drinking water and intend to design and construct new fluoridation facilities. Because the increased costs are related to project-specific variables--such as facility size, amount of water to be treated, type of fluoridation to be installed, and quantity of fluoride to be added--an estimate of increased costs, in aggregate or per project, cannot be made.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

The proposed amendment will result in no savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities but may result in increased costs to such persons that own or operate public water systems that fluoridate their drinking water and intend to design and construct new fluoridation facilities. Because the increased costs are related to project-specific variables--such as facility size, amount of water to be treated, type of fluoridation to be installed, and quantity of fluoride to be added--an estimate of increased costs, in aggregate or per project, cannot be made.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Persons affected by the proposed amendment to Section R309-535-5 would be owners and operators of Public Water Systems. The proposed amendment may result in increased costs to such persons that own or operate public water systems that fluoridate their drinking water and intend to design and construct new fluoridation facilities. Because the increased costs are related to project-specific variables--such as facility size, amount of water to be treated, type of fluoridation to be installed, and quantity of fluoride to be added--an estimate of increased costs, in aggregate or per project, cannot be made.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The proposed amendment only applies to public water systems that fluoridate their drinking water, which is a small subset of public water systems in Utah and would, therefore, only affect businesses as customers or operators of these systems. The fiscal impact of the proposed amendment on businesses as customers of public water systems that fluoridate would be negligible because any increase in the cost of design and construction of fluoridation facilities due to the proposed amendment would be small when compared to the overall project cost and would be shared by all water system customers. The fiscal impact of the proposed amendment on businesses that operate public water systems that intend to design and construct new fluoridation facilities would also be small when compared to the overall project cost of fluoridation.

Alan Matheson, Executive Director Utah DEQ

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Office of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Drinking WaterRoom Third Floor
195 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3085

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Bernie Clark at the above address, by phone at 801-536-0092, by FAX at , or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

10/31/2016

This rule may become effective on:

11/07/2016

Authorized by:

Ken Bousfield, Director

R309. Environmental Quality, Drinking Water.

R309-535. Facility Design and Operation: Miscellaneous Treatment Methods.

R309-535-5. Fluoridation.

[Sodium fluoride, sodium silicofluoride and fluorosilicic acid shall conform to the applicable AWWA standards and/or ANSI/NSF Standard 60. Other fluoride compounds which may be available must be approved by the Director.

(1) Fluoride compound storage.

Fluoride chemicals shall be isolated from other chemicals to prevent contamination. Compounds shall be stored in covered or unopened shipping containers and shall be stored inside a building. Unsealed storage units for fluorosilicic acid shall be vented to the atmosphere at a point outside any building. Bags, fiber drums and steel drums shall be stored on pallets.

(2) Chemical feed equipment and methods.

In addition to the requirements in R309-525-11 "Chemical Addition", fluoride feed equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(a) scales, loss-of-weight recorders or liquid level indicators, as appropriate, accurate to within five percent of the average daily change in reading shall be provided for chemical feeds,

(b) feeders shall be accurate to within five percent of any desired feed rate,

(c) fluoride compound shall not be added before lime-soda softening or ion exchange softening,

(d) the point of application of fluorosilicic acid, if into a horizontal pipe, shall be in the lower half of the pipe,

(e) a fluoride solution shall be applied by a positive displacement pump having a stroke rate not less than 20 strokes per minute,

(f) a spring opposed diaphragm type anti-siphon device shall be provided for all fluoride feed lines and dilution water lines,

(g) a device to measure the flow of water to be treated is required,

(h) the dilution water pipe shall terminate at least two pipe diameters above the solution tank,

(i) water used for sodium fluoride dissolution shall be softened if hardness exceeds 75 mg/l as calcium carbonate,

(j) fluoride solutions shall be injected at a point of continuous positive pressure or a suitable air gap provided,

(k) the electrical outlet used for the fluoride feed pump shall have a nonstandard receptacle and shall be interconnected with the well or service pump,

(l) saturators shall be of the upflow type and be provided with a meter and backflow protection on the makeup water line.

(m) lead weights shall not be used in fluoride chemical solutions to keep pump suction lines at the bottom of a day or bulk storage tank.

(3) Secondary controls.

Secondary control systems for fluoride chemical feed devices shall be provided as a means of reducing the possibility for overfeed; these may include flow or pressure switches or other devices.

(4) Protective equipment.

Personal protective equipment as outlined in R309-525-11(10) shall be provided for operators handling fluoride compounds. Deluge showers and eye wash devices shall be provided at all fluorosilicic acid installations.

(5) Dust control.

(a) Provision must be made for the transfer of dry fluoride compounds from shipping containers to storage bins or hoppers in such a way as to minimize the quantity of fluoride dust which may enter the room in which the equipment is installed. The enclosure shall be provided with an exhaust fan and dust filter which place the hopper under a negative pressure. Air exhausted from fluoride handling equipment shall discharge through a dust filter to the outside atmosphere of the building.

(b) Provision shall be made for disposing of empty bags, drums or barrels in a manner which will minimize exposure to fluoride dusts. A floor drain shall be provided to facilitate the hosing of floors.

(6) Testing equipment.

Equipment shall be provided for measuring the quantity of fluoride in the water. Such equipment shall be subject to the approval of the Director.](1) This section does not require the addition of fluoride to drinking water by a public water system. However, a public water system that adds fluoride to drinking water shall comply with the fluoridation facility design and construction requirements of this section.

(2) General Requirements for all Fluoridation Installations.

The following requirements apply to all types of fluoridation.

(a) Chemicals and Materials.

(i) All chemicals used for fluoridation shall be certified to comply with ANSI/NSF Standard 60.

(ii) Materials used for fluoridation equipment shall be compatible with chemicals used in the fluoridation process.

(iii) Metal parts used in fluoridation equipment and present in the fluoridation room shall be corrosion resistant.

(iv) Lead weights shall not be used in fluoride chemical solutions to keep pump suction lines at the bottom of a day or bulk storage tank.

(b) Chemical Storage.

(i) Fluoride chemicals shall be stored in covered or sealed containers, inside a building, and away from heat.

(ii) Fluoride chemicals shall not be stored with incompatible chemicals.

(iii) Bags or other containers for dry materials shall be stored on pallets.

(iv) Fiber drums for storing dry materials shall be kept closed to keep out moisture.

(v) A solution tank shall be labeled to identify the contents of the tank.

(c) Secondary Containment.

(i) Secondary containment shall be provided for tanks containing corrosive fluoride solutions.

(ii) Secondary containment shall be sized to contain the quantity of solution handled.

(iii) Secondary containment shall be designed to be acid resistant.

(d) Means to Measure.

(i) A means to measure the flow of treated water shall be provided.

(ii) A means shall be provided to measure the solution level in a tank and the quantity of the chemical used.

(iii) A sampling point shall be provided downstream of the fluoridation facility for measuring the fluoride level of treated water.

(e) Fluoride Feed Pump.

(i) Sizing of fluoride feed pumps shall consider prevention of fluoride overfeed and operation efficiency.

(ii) A fluoride feed pump shall have an anti-siphon device.

(f) Electrical Outlet for Fluoride Feed Pump.

(i) The electrical outlet used for a fluoride feed pump shall have interlock protection by being wired electrically in series with the well or service pump, such that the feed pump is only activated when the well or service pump is on.

(ii) The fluoride feed pump shall not be plugged into a continuously active ("hot") electrical outlet.

(g) Fluoride Injection.

(i) The fluoride injection line shall enter at a point in the lower one-third of the water pipe, and the end of the injection line shall be in the lower half of the water pipe.

(ii) The fluoride injection point shall allow adequate mixing.

(iii) The fluoride injection point shall not be located upstream of lime softening, ion exchange, or other processes that affect the fluoride level.

(iv) Each injector shall be selected based on the quantity of fluoride to be added, water flow, back pressure, and injector operating pressure.

(v) If injecting fluoride under pressure, a corporation stop and a safety chain shall be used at the fluoride injection point to secure the injection line.

(vi) An anti-siphon device shall be provided for all fluoride feed lines at the injection point.

(h) Minimize Fluoride Overfeed.

(i) In addition to the feed pump control, a secondary control mechanism shall be provided to minimize the possibility of fluoride overfeed. It may be a day tank, liquid level sensor, SCADA control, a flow switch, etc.

(ii) For fluoridation facilities that do not have operators on site, a day tank is required to minimize fluoride overfeed, unless two alternative secondary controls are provided.

(i) Housing. Fluoridation equipment shall be housed in a secure building that is adequately sized for handling and storing fluoride chemicals.

(j) Heating, Lighting, Ventilation.

(i) The fluoridation building shall be heated, lighted and ventilated to assure proper operation of the equipment and safety of operator.

(ii) The ventilation in the fluoride operating area shall provide at least six complete room-air changes per hour.

(iii) The fluoride operating area shall be vented to outside atmosphere and away from air intakes.

(iv) Separate switches for fans and lights in the fluoride operating area shall be provided. The switches shall be located outside of, or near, the entrance to the fluoride operating area, and shall be protected from vandalism.

(k) Cross Connection Control. Cross connections shall be eliminated by physical separation, an air gap, or an approved and properly operating backflow prevention assembly.

(3) Additional Requirements for Fluorosilicic Acid Installations.

(a) Fluorosilicic acid shall not be diluted manually on site before injection.

(b) Solution Tank Vents.

(i) A solution tank shall be adequately vented to the outside atmosphere away from air intakes, above grade, and where least susceptible to contamination.

(ii) A bulk tank shall not share a vent with a day tank if there is a risk of solution overflow from the bulk tank to the day tank.

(iii) A non-corrodible fine mesh (No. 14 or finer) screen shall be placed over the discharge end of a vent.

(c) If separate rooms are provided in a fluoride building constructed after January 1, 2017, the design shall include a view window between the control room and the fluorosilicic acid operating area.

(d) Emergency eyewash stations and showers shall be provided.

(e) A neutralizing chemical shall be available on site to handle small quantity accidental acid spills.

(f) The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling fluorosilicic acid, and shall include the following:

(i) Full-face shield and splash-proof safety goggles

(ii) Long gauntlet acid-resistant rubber or neoprene gloves with cuffs

(iii) Acid-resistant rubber or neoprene aprons

(iv) Rubber boots

(4) Additional Requirements for Fluoride Saturator Installations.

(a) A water meter shall be provided on the make-up water line for a saturator so that calculations can be made to confirm that the proper amounts of fluoride solution are being fed. This meter and the master meter shall be read daily and the results recorded.

(b) The minimum depth of undissolved fluoride chemical required to maintain a saturated solution shall be marked on the outside of the saturator tank.

(c) The saturator shall not be operated in a manner that undissolved chemical is drawn into the pump suction line.

(d) The make-up water supply line shall, at a minimum, either terminate at least two pipe diameters above the solution tank or have backflow protection.

(e) Make-up Water Softening.

(i) The make-up water used for sodium fluoride saturators shall be softened whenever the hardness exceeds 75 mg/L.

(ii) A sediment filter (20 mesh) shall be installed in the make-up water line going to the saturator. The filter shall be placed between the softener and the water meter.

(f) Dust Control. Provisions shall be made to minimize the creation of fluoride dust during the transfer of dry fluoride compounds.

(i) Air exhausted from fluoride handling equipment shall discharge through a dust filter to the atmosphere outside of the building.

(ii) Provisions shall be made to minimize dust when disposing of empty bags, drums or barrels.

(iii) A floor drain shall be provided to facilitate floor cleaning.

(g) Emergency eyewash shall be provided.

(h) The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling dry chemicals and shall include the following:

(i) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved particulate respirator with a soft rubber face-to-mask seal and replaceable cartridges

(ii) Chemical dust-resistant safety goggles

(iii) Acid-resistant gloves

(iv) Acid-resistant rubber or neoprene aprons

(v) Rubber boots

(5) Additional Requirements for Fluoride Dry Feed Installations.

(a) Volumetric and gravimetric dry feeders shall include a solution tank.

(b) A mechanical mixer shall be installed in the solution tank.

(c) Dust Control. Provisions shall be made to minimize the creation of fluoride dust during the transfer of dry fluoride compounds.

(i) If a hopper is provided, it shall be equipped with a dust filter and an exhaust fan that places the hopper under negative pressure.

(ii) Air exhausted from fluoride handling equipment shall discharge through a dust filter to the atmosphere outside of the building.

(iii) Provisions shall be made to minimize dust when disposing of empty bags, drums or barrels.

(iv) A floor drain shall be provided to facilitate floor cleaning.

(d) Emergency eyewash shall be provided.

(e) The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when handling dry chemicals and shall include the following:

(i) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved particulate respirator with a soft rubber face-to-mask seal and replaceable cartridges

(ii) Chemical dust-resistant safety goggles

(iii) Acid-resistant gloves

(iv) Acid-resistant rubber or neoprene aprons

(v) Rubber boots

 

KEY: drinking water, miscellaneous treatment, stabilization, iron and manganese control

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 28, 2013]November 7, 2016

Notice of Continuation: March 13, 2015

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-4-104