Treatment systems are mechanical and/or chemical processes that remove contaminants from water, ensuring it is safe for consumption. Treatment systems are an important part of delivering safe drinking water for many public water systems throughout the state. However, treatment only works when the proper chemicals are used in the right amounts, and treatment is maintained and monitored. Failure to regularly and effectively maintain and monitor your treatment system puts the health of your customers at risk.
Addition, Removal, or Changes to Treatment
No new construction, addition, or alteration involving the source, treatment, or storage of water in any system shall be commenced until the plans and specifications have been submitted to and approved in writing by the DWP. If you wish to add, remove, or make changes to a treatment system, contact your Public Water System Inspector. Please bear in mind that approval may take 30 days from the receipt of a complete application package.
When requesting approval of a treatment modification, addition, or removal at a public water system, please complete the Drinking Water System Change Application (PDF) and provide applicable information as requested.
For more detailed information, please see Drinking Water Treatment Review Policy and Procedure (PDF).
Chemicals and Products Used in Treatment
All chemicals used for treating drinking water must be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 60 and all products that come in contact with drinking water (tanks, piping, fittings, etc.) must be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61. There are a few exemptions that the Rules allow (consult the DWP for details), but generally, anything added to, or coming in contact with water, needs to be certified to these Standards. This requirement ensures that only products that have been tested and certified to be safe are used.
- Drinking Water Chemicals and Additives: Quality Assurance (PDF)
- Guidelines for Determining How Much Clorox® Concentrated to Use in Continuous Chlorination Systems vs. Clorox® Ultra and Clorox® Regular (PDF)
- Approved Off-the-Shelf Bleach Products for the Disinfection of Potable Water (PDF)
Agencies that certify to Standard 60 and 61 include NSF International (NSF), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and Water Quality Association (WQA). The easiest way to ensure compliance is to find a label on the product or package. However, not all chemicals are labeled as certified even if they have the certification. In these cases, it is necessary to do further investigation. This may include reviewing documentation that came with the product shipment, such as a packing slip or bill of lading, looking up the product online with the certifying agencies, or even contacting the manufacturer. You should then be prepared to provide proof that the products you are using in your treatment system (and throughout the rest of your water system) are certified.
Monthly Operating Reports
All public water systems that add a chemical(s) to their water must submit a Monthly Operating Report (MOR) to DWP. MORs help track the amount of chemical used, daily production of the water system, and the amount of chemical (residual) present in the distribution system. These measurements ensure that the treatment system is operating properly and providing protection in the drinking water supply.
There are essentially two types of MORs submitted to the DWP:
- The Small System Chlorination Report Form, as its name implies, is for small public water systems only. Systems in this category include trailer parks, restaurants, motels, and campgrounds. This report is designated as MOR-012.
- All other MORs are designated MOR-001 through -011. The DWP will accept electronic submittal of MORs-001 through -011 in the XLS format and submitted via the designated MOR email address: DWPMOR@maine.gov.
MOR forms can be downloaded from the list of Forms for Download (look for the ‘Monthly Operating Reports’ heading). MOR forms are available in two formats, XLS (MS Excel file) and PDF.
It is important to remember that for those water systems required to have a Designated Operator (DO), the DO must sign every MOR before it is submitted. For those MORs submitted electronically, the report is considered signed by the DO if the MOR is submitted directly by the DO through e-mail.
Also note that all MORs must be submitted by the 10th of the month following the month being reported (for example, operations in January must be reported to the DWP by February 10).
Cross Connections and Bypasses
Cross connections that are not properly protected can result in serious and dangerous consequences for consumers. To prevent contamination, backwash disposal lines and chemical solution tank make-up water lines must be protected by an air gap at least twice the diameter of the discharging line.
Connections such as fire sprinkler systems, yard hydrants, or irrigation systems must be equipped with a proper testable backflow prevention device that provides continuous protection against backflow or back-siphonage.
Remember, a closed valve is NOT a backflow prevention device.
A bypass cannot be installed on any treatment systems that are required by the DWP. The presence of a bypass, whether hard plumbed or built into a treatment unit, creates the potential for required treatment to be inadvertently or intentionally bypassed.
A bypass is also not a solution for an inactive piece of equipment (treatment or storage). Incorrect valve operation or even a leaking valve, can result in contaminated water entering the distribution system, posing a risk to the safety of your consumers’ drinking water.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Maintenance
Written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are important and valuable for all operations in every water system to ensure consistency, efficiency, best practices, and continued operations during emergencies or personnel changes. Written SOPs that outline specific instructions and procedures for operating, maintaining, checking, and monitoring treatment systems are particularly important. Every treatment system process should be clearly documented and outlined in an SOP. This enables operations to remain consistent no matter which staff are on duty and also helps to serve as a resource during emergencies when an operator, or person who usually oversees the treatment system, is absent.
Along with a written SOP, a maintenance log should be recorded and kept onsite for all treatment systems to keep track of when the treatment system is serviced or when changes are made. Essential spare parts should be on-site or immediately available, such as a working spare chemical feed pump. Being prepared for an emergency can help save time, money, and ensure you are always able to provide safe drinking water to your customers.
Treatment Failures
If your treatment system fails or malfunctions, you must take immediate action. For treatment failures of disinfection systems, such as Protecting Public Health During Chlorination System Failures (PDF) or Protecting Public Health During UV Disinfection System Failures (PDF), a Boil Water Order will be necessary. When other types of treatment fail, such as an Arsenic Removal or a Corrosion Control treatment system, the failure may cause unsafe levels of contaminants to be present in the drinking water and may cause an immediate health risk to anyone who drinks the water. In such cases, a Do Not Drink or Do Not Use order may be necessary to protect the health and safety of your water system's consumers.
With any treatment failure, call the Drinking Water Program immediately at (207) 287-2070 or after hours at (207) 557-4214.
- Protecting Public Health During Chlorination Disinfection System Failures (PDF)
- Protecting Public Health During UV Disinfection System Failures (PDF)
Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System Guidance
- Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System Installation Guidance (PDF)
- Maintaining Your Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System (PDF)
- Guidelines for Determining How Much Clorox® Concentrated to Use in Continuous Chlorination Systems vs. Clorox® Ultra and Clorox® Regular (PDF)
Links to Professional Services
Please note: This is a partial list of professionals and firms that provide engineering services in Maine and is not an official endorsement of any individual or organization. Services and prices may vary. To be included in this listing as a resource, please contact the Drinking Water Program at 207-287-2070.