All wastewater treatment plants must have a licensed operator. Requirements for the licensing of wastewater treatment plant operators were established by Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Regulation 3.
Who is responsible for regulating drinking water in Arkansas?
Engineering Section (MS 37) Arkansas Dept. of Health. 4815 West Markham. Little Rock, AR 72205-3867. 501/661-2623, fax 501/661-2032.
Where are routine water system plant examinations conducted in Arkansas?
But they all share the common goal of protecting and enhancing Arkansas's waterways. The Compliance Branch performs compliance inspections at municipal wastewater treatment plants, construction sites, industrial properties, animal waste facilities, and oil and gas drilling sites. Inspectors routinely investigate complaints from the public, whether they're responding to spills …
How is turbidity regulated in the state of Arkansas?
Jun 30, 2021 · Water Quality Standards Regulations: Arkansas. Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state. EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy. For each document listed under "State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes", EPA has ...
Do you have to disinfect public water in Arkansas?
Answer : The Arkansas Department of Health - Division of Engineering, through the Operator Certification Program, makes every effort to ensure that the personnel operating the water system in your community are qualified to do so.
Who regulates water in Arkansas?
What US agency regulates water?
What is a water permit?
How do I get my water tested in Arkansas?
What is regulated in relation to the water treatment plant?
Does the federal government control water?
Who may apply for water permit?
What are the conditions in determining whether to grant or deny water permit?
What are the documents that proved ownership or possession of the land when applying for water permit?
Is Arkansas tap water safe to drink?
What is water quality planning?
The Water Quality Planning Branch develops water quality standards for waterways and closely monitors surface water and groundwater across the state. Surface water quality standards are tailored to the state’s six ecoregions. Water monitoring activities include chemical, biological, and physical habitat evaluations. Additionally, Planning prepares the biennial “Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Assessment Report,” also known as the 305 (b) report. Development of this report, the 303 (d) list of impaired waterbodies, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) is required under the federal Clean Water Act. A TMDL establishes the maximum amount of pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards and designated uses.
What is a permit branch?
The Permits Branch issues a range of individual and general permits. The permits not only set pollution limits but also lay out reporting and other requirements all aimed at preserving water quality. Wastewater, construction, stormwater, and pretreatment are managed through DEQ's NPDES permitting program. Land application, septic systems, and liquid animal waste systems are managed through the No-Discharge program. Most General NPDES Permits and General No-Discharge Permits may be completed and submitted online through the DEQ ePortal site.
What is water quality regulation in Arkansas?
Water Quality Standards Regulations: Arkansas. Presented are water quality standards in effect for Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes for this state. EPA is posting these standards as a convenience to users and has made a reasonable effort to assure their accuracy.
When are state standards in effect for CWA?
State Standards in Effect for CWA Purposes. (Effective June 4, 2020) State regulation establishing water quality standards for surface waters of the State.
Who is responsible for monitoring water quality in Arkansas?
Answer: Monitoring the quality of our drinking water is a joint responsibility of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and our state's public water supply systems. Your local water supply system is responsible for taking required water samples, according to a schedule established by ADH. The Division of Public Health Laboratories at the ADH test the water samples for a broad variety of possible contaminants. When it comes to complying with the testing requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Arkansas' water systems have one of the best records in the nation.
What is operator certification in Arkansas?
Answer : The Arkansas Department of Health - Division of Engineering, through the Operator Certification Program , makes every effort to ensure that the personnel operating the water system in your community are qualified to do so. This certification program requires that the personnel making decisions that impact water quality meet certain ...
Why do contaminants in water come from rocks?
Answer: Some contaminants in drinking water occur because the chemicals naturally occur in rocks and soils and are dissolved into the water. Other contaminants occur in drinking water only because of the acts of man putting the chemicals into the environment in such a manner that they come in contact with our drinking water sources. And, still other contaminants are created by the reaction of water treatment chemicals with naturally occurring compounds in our water sources.
How many chemicals are tested in a community water system?
Answer: The ADH tests each community water system (approximately 805) in the state - on a regular basis - for up to 46 different pesticides, 22 synthetic organic chemicals, 60 volatile organic chemicals, and 35 inorganic chemicals. These systems are also tested for a variety of other contaminants, including bacteria, radioactive elements, lead, and copper. In addition to testing the community water systems, ADH also tests approximately 502 transient non-community water systems for bacteria and nitrates.
How many people are served by a public water system?
Answer : A public water system is a system for the provision to the public of water for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
What is considered a non-community water system?
A non-community public water system is a public water system that serves at least 15 service connections or 25 persons per day which are not a community water system. (In other words, at least 60 days service per year, but not service to year round residents. State parks, recreation areas, rural restaurants, grocery stores, and industries are examples of non-community water systems.
What does Arkansas Department of Health test for?
Answer: The Arkansas Department of Health tests community public drinking water systems according to the requirements of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
What is the phone number for Arkansas water distribution system?
2. Immediately contact the Arkansas Department of Health , Engineering Section at 1-501-661-2623 or at 1- 800-554-5738 (AFTER HOURS/WEEKENDS).
Where is the Arkansas Department of Health located?
The Arkansas Department of Health (herein referred to as the Department); Engineering Section (herein referred to as the Engineering Section or Section) is located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
What is the seasonal water system certification?
3.2.8 Seasonal water systems must submit certification that they conducted start up procedures of pressurizing, flushing and disinfecting the water system and obtained Coliform absent results on two consecutive sets of samples prior to serving water to consumers each season.
What is water system?
1. A discussion of the water system窶冱 ability to consistently provide an ample quantity of safe drinking water to its customers, including such items as water use data, projected water use, regulatory compliance, etc. 2. A description of all major projects and expansions anticipated within the planning period.
When is water sampling required?
3.2.7 If the water system has a seasonal operation, samples are only required for the calendar months during which operation occurs. For any partial month or quarter of operation, sampling is required.
What is the sample preservation agent in a bottle?
To ensure accurate testing, each sample bottle has a sample preservation agent (sodium thiosulfate) present as a small amount of liquid, powder, or solid.
What is a no discharge permit in Arkansas?
Code Ann. §8-4-101 et. seq.) These permits are issued for activities that are prohibited from resulting in a waste being discharged to waters of the state.
What is the water permit?
The Water Permits Branch is responsible for issuing permits assigned with pollution limits and conditions to protect water quality. Permits are issued as either Discharge or No-Discharge permits.
How long does it take to get a permit after the DEQ decision is issued?
When DEQ issues a final permit decision, the permittee and anyone who provided comments may appeal the decision within 30 days of issuance. If there is no appeal, the permit becomes effective 30 days after the final decision is issued.
How long does it take to get a permit reviewed by DEQ?
DEQ’s technical review of an individual permit application takes approximately 90 days, and the EPA’s mandatory review of some NPDES permits takes 30 days. Following the review, DEQ develops a draft permit and announces in a public notice that the draft is available for at least a 30-day comment period. Again, anyone, including the permittee, may offer comments.
Where to submit NPDES permit?
Most General NPDES Permits and General No-Discharge Permits may be completed and submitted online through the DEQ ePortal site.
Do general permits require public notices?
Some general permits require public notices or public review. Find notices of a specific general permit:
What is the treatment plant for Arkansas?
Wilson Treatment Plant, includes treating the raw water in such a way as to provide plenty of safe, aesthetically pleasing water which meets all requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and State of Arkansas’ Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Public Water Systems. The treatment plants also include a laboratory for monitoring water quality from the beginning as raw untreated water, through each stage of the treatment process, to the distribution system. The Jack H. Wilson Treatment Plant is seasonally rated to treat up to 133 MGD and the Ozark Point Treatment Plant is rated to treat 24 MGD. The combined rated capacity of 157 MGD is currently 20% above our maximum daily demand of 126 MGD.
What is the function of the Water Quality and Operations Department?
The primary function of the Water Quality & Operations department is to promote public health by providing an adequate supply of high-quality potable water, which meets all federal and state regulations, to the customers of Central Arkansas Water (CAW). The department is responsible for the operation of our two source water reservoirs, two water treatment plants, 23 remote storage tanks, 22 remote pumping stations, and seven remote intersystem valves.
What are the two sources of water for CAW?
CAW owns two source water reservoirs – Lake Winona and Lake Maumelle, and an auxiliary impoundment, Jackson Reservoir. Operation of the two lakes and reservoir includes: maintaining all pumps, equipment, grounds, patrolling the lakes, monitoring activities in the water shed, and providing all raw water needs to the treatment plants. The combined safe yield of Lake Winona and Lake Maumelle is 120 million gallons per day (MGD). Average daily system demand is 62 MGD
How many pressure zones are there in a water distribution system?
The remote storage tanks, booster stations, and intersystem valves are operated in such a way as to maintain adequate flow and water pressure throughout the entire distribution system consisting of 18 pressure zones.
What does the EPA do?
EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water.
What is the EPA's system for stormwater discharge?
EPA controls storm water and sewer overflow discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). NPDES provides guidance to municipalities and state and federal permitting authorities on how to meet stormwater pollution control goals as flexibly and cost-effectively as possible.
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act?
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.
What is coal mining regulated by?
Coal mining operations are also regulated by the Department of Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
What is impaired water?
These are waters that are too polluted or otherwise degraded to meet the water quality standards set by states, territories, or authorized tribes.
What is an underground injection control program?
Underground Injection Control Program: responsible for regulating the construction, operation, permitting and closure of injection wells that place fluids underground for storage or disposal.
How does drinking water get contaminated?
Many communities obtain their drinking water from aquifers. Unfortunately, the ground water can become contaminated by human activity. These chemicals can enter the soil and rock, polluting the aquifer and eventually the well.