Ohio EPA finalizes a number of water-related rule revisions

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) recently adopted revisions to rules concerning public water system plan approval, back flow prevention and cross-connection control, and consumer confidence reports following five-year reviews required by the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC).

The director of the Ohio EPA approved the final revisions to OAC Chapters 3745-91, 3745-95 and 3745-96, which were developed by the Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking and Ground Water (DDAGW) in an extensive process that included consideration of public comments.

The DDAGW clarified the assessment requirements for areas with an increased risk for back flow into the public water system due to cross-connections, and reduced the need for on-site investigations of premises by creating alternatives such as education campaigns, as well as allowing the use of questionnaires and information gleaned from licensing agencies. The final rules also expand the use of booster pumps and pressure vacuum breakers, update standards to match the Ohio Plumbing Code, and revise the Ohio EPA Backflow Prevention and Cross-Connection Control manual.

The revisions will go into effect on Monday.